In This IssueToday's Daily Brief
The Middle East in Focus
ENDA on Hold!
Health Care Update
Dems Push Through Hamilton Nomination
Obama Appeases China; Bashes Israel
The Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, November 19, 2009
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Dems alarmed as Independents bolt party - Politico
Mounting evidence that independent voters have soured on the Democrats is prompting a debate among party officials about what rhetorical and substantive changes are needed to halt the damage.
- God, when we see the results of a government that has brought tribulation and anguish upon our country, we the people of America must stand up in the strength of our holy God and push back the destruction that has attempted to take over. We stand in the glory, honor, and peace of the Lord and are taking back our country, and if God be for us, who can be against us. We trust God. In Jesus Name.
- "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall be corrupted by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." (Daniel 11:32)
2. Senate Democrats introduce $849 billion healthcare reform bill - AP
Majority leader Harry Reid unveiled the Senate's healthcare reform bill Wednesday. Reid needs to get 60 Senators on board in order to prevent a Republican filibuster. Earlier Wednesday, he met with three moderate Democrats who have expressed concern about the bill: Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas (who faces reelection next year).
Reuters reports that the debate is expected to begin on Nov. 30, after the Thanksgiving holiday next week, and last for at least three weeks.
The White House has tasked Vice President Joe Biden, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (both former senators), and former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle with working to see that a Senate bill gets passed.
- Father, we pray that You will prevent the passage of this bill, and that the filibuster cannot be stopped! We ask that You turn the hearts of the moderates Nelson, Landrieu, and Lincoln against this bill. May all who are opposed stand strong!
- "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. Senate Democrats backing down on tough anti-abortion measure - Christian Science Monitor
The Senate Democrats' two leading foes of abortion have backed away from supporting the strict anti-abortion measure approved in the House version of healthcare reform. Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania were originally expected to back inclusion of the House's so-called Stupak amendment in the Senate version of the bill. But statements from both senators indicate that they are retreating to language that is less restrictive.
- Lord, we ask that You not allow the strong anti-abortion language of the Stupak Amendment to be removed. We pray that once again You will turn the hearts of Nelson and Casey, as well as all others toward righteousness.
- "lest innocent blood be shed in the midst of your land" (Deut 19:10a)
4. Obama: Too much debt could fuel double-dip recession - Reuters
President Barack Obama gave his sternest warning yet about the need to contain rising U.S. deficits, saying on Wednesday that if government debt were to pile up too much, it could lead to a double-dip recession.
- Lord, considering this is the man who dropped the U.S. into the deepest debt in history, we find these remarks to be unfathomable. We pray that all hidden agendas, and intimidations be revealed, and for the American people to not only see the truth but act on it through the political system. We pray for our elected officials to be wise against deception, and vote carefully to avoid further damage to the US economy.
- "Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue." ( Psalm 120:2)
5. D.C. Board Won't Allow Gay Marriage Ban on Ballot - AP
A measure to let voters decide whether to ban same-sex marriages in D.C. cannot go on the ballot because it would violate a city human rights law, the Board of Elections and Ethics ruled Tuesday.
The D.C. City Council is expected to approve gay marriage next month, but opponents wanted voters to weigh in.
- Lord, this act alone reveals a clear disregard for the Constitutional right of people to redress their grievances. We pray that You will turn the hearts of the DC Council and all other officials to reconsider allowing an election so that voters can speak their minds on this issue. We ask that Your Spirit move over the DC area, that hearts will be changed and righteousness flood America, beginning in our nation's capitol!
- "Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous." (Psalm 31:18)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
" For ever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
1. Israel's Barak says missile defense could permit withdrawal from occupied territories - World Tribune
Israel's government sees the development of an effective missile defense system as a factor in what could be its eventual withdrawal from territory captured in the 1967 war.
2. IDF attacks Gaza arms lab, 2 tunnels - Ynet News
Israel Air Force jets attacked a weapons lab and two arms smuggling tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday night. The Israel Defense Forces reported that the targets were hit and that the planes returned safely to their bases.
3. Turkey: Assad won't accept French mediation - Jerusalem Post
A day after French President Nicolas Sarkozy said his country was ready to facilitate a resumption of talks between Syria and Israel, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that although Israel no longer trusts Turkey to mediate the talks, Damascus would not accept Paris's role.
4. Groundwork laid to boost J'lem-EU ties - Jerusalem Post
In the shadow of the Goldstone Commission's report and concerns regarding the perception of Israel overseas, the Knesset and members of the EU parliament's permanent delegation for relations with Israel laid the groundwork Wednesday for a unique partnership to improve Israeli-European relations.
5. Poll: Record high support of peace talks - Ynet News
According to the monthly War and Peace Index, some 75% of the Jewish public in Israel support holding peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. This marks the highest support rate recorded on the War and Peace index in recent years.
ENDA on Hold!
It's the ENDA the World as We Know It
In an announcement that took both sides by surprise, today's mark-up of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) was cancelled. We'll be on the lookout for ENDA to crop up later in the year, since it's a crucial step in moving forward with the broader homosexual agenda. But don't take it from us. Take it from the highest ranking homosexual serving in the Obama administration, John Berry, who is the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. Check out my new Perkins on Point video to see exactly where this legislation is headed. Meanwhile, not all of the Left's wish list has been stalled. Today the House Oversight Committee is turning its attention to a mark-up of H.R. 2517, the "Domestic Partnerships Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009," which would give special treatment to federal employees who have same-sex domestic partners. Stay tuned for more on that fight. (Family Research Council)
Health Care Update
Waiting on Mr. Write...
Senate Democrats seem like the picture of self-sacrifice these days. More than a few have talked about their willingness to stay in Washington through next week to work on health care reform, cutting into what is traditionally a nice long Thanksgiving break. While they may seem driven to overhaul the system, the real motivation for hanging around may be slightly less noble. Staying in D.C. helps to insulate them from angry constituents back home. Plenty of Senators would be happy to spend their holiday as far away as possible from their states, where outrage over both plans has reached its boiling point.
Unfortunately for Democrats, the country's mood isn't likely to improve anytime soon, even if Sen. Harry Reid finally manages to write his version of reform. "Americans resent being ignored by arrogant politicians who think they know better how to run our lives than we do," columnist Connie Hair wrote on the Human Events website. As it turns out, even politicians resent being ignored by other arrogant politicians. Last month, eight Democrats sent the Majority Leader a formal letter demanding that the Senate--and public-- have access to the bill for at least 72 hours prior to its first vote. Initially, Sen. Reid agreed.
According to Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), "he promised 'days--not a day or two' for lawmakers to review the yet-to-be-seen bill before attempting to clear a 60-vote procedural hurdle needed to bring the legislation to the Senate floor." Yet already the leadership is weighing a vote on the motion to proceed in the next two days--without even releasing the bill text! If you ask Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), he thinks the chamber should have at least as long to review the bill as liberals had to write it. But Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the second highest ranking Democrat, essentially said yesterday that the Senate will be lucky to have 72 hours, let alone six weeks!
FRC will be watching the process closely and keeping our eyes peeled for any move to dump the Stupak amendment. So will the American people--61% of whom oppose taxpayer-funded abortion, according to a new CNN poll. (Family Research Council)
- Prevailing prayer is requested that the Senate language be posted for public review, for fiscal responsibility, that no federal takeover "public option" be included, and that the Stupak-Pitts amendment preventing tax-funded abortion be included in any final compromise version. [Intercessors for America]
Dems Push Through Hamilton Nomination
Dems Push Through Anti-Jesus Prayer Judge
Democrats crushed a Senate filibuster against appeals court nominee David Hamilton -- a judge who prohibited prayers that mentioned Jesus Christ, while allowing Muslim prayers to Allah -- before sessions of the Indiana Legislature.
Tuesday's 70-29 vote limited debate over Hamilton's qualifications and assured his elevation to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals - sometimes a precursor for nomination to the Supreme Court. Sixty votes were needed to end the filibuster, but confirmation only required a simple majority.
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) noted that while Hamilton prohibited the mention of Jesus in invocations, he allowed a Muslim cleric to pray to Allah. Several Republicans supported the Democrats, including Saxby Chambliss (GA), Susan Collins (ME), John Cornyn (TX), Orrin Hatch (UT) and Richard Lugar (IN). (AP OneNewsNow 11/18/09) [Reported by: Intercessors for America; On Watch inWashington]
Obama Appeases China; Bashes Israel
Obama's trip to Asia has been one long bow. The bow to Japanese Emperor Akihito made the most news, but his most dangerous bows were the concessions he made to satisfy China's communist rulers. Human rights abuses in China were relegated to a low priority. Obama crushed the hopes of occupied Tibet by stating that he recognized that country as part of the People's Republic of China. He met with no dissenters or human rights advocates.
Contrast his submissive posture toward China's autocrats with his "tough guy" approach toward Israel. Yesterday, the city government of Jerusalem authorized the construction of 900 homes for Israelis in the Gilo neighborhood. Gilo has been home to thousands of Jews for years. Construction goes on there regularly.
But the Obama White House and the State Department reacted to the routine construction announcement as if it were a declaration of war. Administration spokesmen repeatedly bashed Israel during press briefings yesterday for endangering peace. How? Does the president see some moral equivalence between Jewish homes and Palestinian homicide bombers?
Someone needs to inform our apprentice president that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. It is not on the negotiating table. The insistence by Barack Obama and the U.N. that more Jews not be permitted to live in a Jerusalem neighborhood is arrogant and racist. And it is further proof that this administration's goal is to divide the holy city of Jerusalem and divide Israel - forcing it to shrink itself to within indefensible borders while it is surrounded by Islamofascists who declare their desire to "wipe Israel off the map."
The president should devote his time to creating jobs for out of work Americans, instead of acting as if he is in charge of the Jerusalem Zoning Board. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; November 18, 2009)
The Good News Corner
Two Iranian Christian Women Freed After 259 Days in Prison; Still Need Our Prayers
November 18, 2009
Dear friend of the persecuted,
It is with great joy that I can share with you that Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh have been released from prison today!!! I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to each person who sent an email to the Iranian authorities on behalf of Maryam and Marzieh. You used your time and freedom to play a part in pressuring the Iranian government for their release. It is a beautiful demonstration of Christian unity when so many individuals and organizations join together to speak out for suffering believers worldwide.
Maryam and Marzieh were imprisoned for over 9 months in Iran's most notorious Evin prison, simply for their faith in Christ. Both women have been released without bail which is another blessing. Unfortunately, the government did not drop the two remaining charges of "apostasy" and "propagation of the Christian faith" with which the women have been charged. This means the women could be re-arrested and will have these charges hanging over them. Please join us in:
- Praising God for the release of Maryam and Marzieh!
- Praying for quick and complete physical healing of both women who are in poor health and need medical attention.
- Praying that the 2 remaining charges against the women would be dropped quickly.
Learn more about Maryam and Marzieh's release. Go here.
Giving thanks,
Lindsay Vessey
Advocacy Director
Open Doors USA
