In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Obama At West Point
• UK Loses its Sovereignty
• The Daily Jot
• 'Honor killings' in USA raise concerns
• Another spying scandal at Gitmo
• The Al-Qaeda Bar
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, December 3, 2009
"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Rev. 5:11,12)
Today's Daily Brief
1. A) Taliban: Afghan Surge Will Mean More U.S. Deaths -- AP
Obama's plan to send 30,000 new U.S. troops to Afghanistan will only lead to more American casualties, the Taliban said. In a response, the Taliban said the Obama administration's plan was "no solution for the problems of Afghanistan" and would give insurgents an opportunity "to increase their attacks and shake the American economy, which is already facing crisis."
B) Afghan President Karzai Willing to Talk to Taliban - AP
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that he's willing to talk with the Taliban chief in a bid to bring peace to the country if the move would have the backing of the United States and other international partners.
- Lord You have always admonished Your people not to make covenants with Your enemies. We stand against the curses of the Taliban, and call forth Your comsuming fire to change their hearts. We ask that You give President Karzai wisdom. We pray that Your Holy Spirit will move over his heart, to reveal the truth.
- "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn." (Isaiah 54:17)
2. Top EU Officials Mark Beginning of Lisbon Treaty Rules - Fox News
Top European Union officials are due to attended a ceremony to mark the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty, which is designed to ensure the bloc has more say in world affairs.
- Lord as we see prophecy take place before us, we ask for fearless faith for Your people. We call on You to raise up the prayer warriors around the world to hear Your voice for the prayers that come forth from Your Throne Room. We bind these plans of men to Your perfect time clock, that no movement is allowed outside of Your purpose and plan.
- "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." (Rev 2:7)
3. Hezbollah, Iran May get 'Arm' Inside U.N. Security Council - Fox News
On Jan. 1, 2010, Hezbollah and its de-facto ruler Iran could have a direct line to the Security Council and gain access to all the confidential information to which Security Council members are privy. In October the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for Lebanon to be the Asian bloc's new non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a 2- year term. Earlier today the Lebanese Government endorsed Hezbollah's demand allowing it to keep its huge weapons arsenal. In doing so the Lebanese government is able to maintain its shaky unity government in which Hezbollah, a designated terrorist group by the U.S. state department, holds two ministries.
- "My God has sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me." (Daniel 6:22a)
4 A) Showdown Over Abortion Looms in Senate - Fox News
Senators debating health care legislation are headed for a clash over abortion, the issue that threatened to derail the bill in the House.
B) GOP Stalls Push for Obamacare in Senate -- Newsmax
The U.S. Senate debate on a sweeping healthcare overhaul stumbled toward gridlock on Wednesday, with frustrated Democrats considering new procedural moves after Republicans blocked votes on the first amendments. On the third day of a divisive debate, Democrats threatened to keep the Senate in session through the Christmas holiday if necessary to pass a healthcare reform bill that President Barack Obama has made his top domestic priority.
C) Senate Casts 1st Votes to Remake Health Care - AP
Senators have voted to safeguard coverage of mammograms and preventive screening tests for women under any health care overhaul legislation.
- Father, as debate continues over the healthcare bill, we praise You for small victories within that debate. We thank You that no fear tactic with incorrect statistics was able to ration preventative care for women. We ask that You remove all government-run items, all rationing, all public abortion funding from this bill in EVERY area. We ask that You cause Your men and women to stand strong and gain wisdom against the pressure to push this bill through in its current agenda.
- "I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." (Psalm 16:7,8)
5. Obama Approves First Stem Cell Lines Under New Policy - Newsmax
The Obama administration has authorized the first human embryonic stem cells for experiments by federally funded scientists under its new stem cell policy. National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins revealed the 13 stem cell lines Wednesday.
- Lord, we repent on behalf of Mr. Obama, and all who have participated in this dreadful act. May Your Holy Spirit convict them of the shedding of innocent blood, and in Your deepest mercy may You redeem our land from its defilement.
- ". . .And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood." (Psalm 106:38)
6. Obama to Meet With Business Leaders at Jobs Summit - AP
At the jobs forum, Obama plans to defend his administration's handling of the economy and argue that it would be in far worse shape had Congress not passed the huge stimulus bill earlier this year.
- Father we pray for wisdom and truth to come from this "summit." We ask that no plans that waste more money be created- we pray for real solutions to the unemployment situation, rather than pocket-lining money giveaways.
- "Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house." (Proverbs 24:27)
7. N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage bill - Washington Times
New York lawmakers rejected a bill Wednesday that would have made their state the sixth to allow gay marriage, disheartening advocates already stung by a similar decision by Maine voters last month.
- We rejoice, Lord, that yet another group of leaders has rejected the appeasing of sin!
- "Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor." (Proverbs 14:9)
8. DC Council takes first vote on same-sex marriage - AP
On Tuesday, 11 of 13 members of the D.C. City Council voted to pass a sweeping same-sex "marriage" law, misnamed the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment." Councilman Phil Mendelson, chief sponsor, said the bill will expand religious liberties by giving pastors the freedom to solemnize same- sex "marriages." But he did not hesitate to declare that churches will not have the option to not recognize same- sex "marriages" once they have been performed and that churches will be subject to all of the anti- discrimination laws as they pertain to "married" homosexuals.
- Please pray that DC's pastors, priests and God-fearing laymen will succeed in their lawsuit for a voter referendum. May our members of Congress exercise their duty to review this bill and to nullify it as in violation of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)!
- "Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it." (Micah 2:1)
9. Copenhagen Conference to Create Huge carbon Footprint - Fox News
Talk about your global warming . . . When an estimated 16,500 delegates, activists and reporters descend upon Copenhagen Monday for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, a lot of hot air will follow. The U.N. estimates the 12-day conference will create 40,584 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, roughly the same amount as the carbon emissions of Morocco in 2006.
- "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered." (Proverbs 11:9)
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. 492 units to be approved in settlements - Jerusalem Post
The civil administration and the coordinator of government activities in the territories on Wednesday were expected to disseminate a list of structures approved for completion in the West Bank despite the government's deciding on a ten-month moratorium late last week.
2. Barak: Settlements are part of Israel - Ynet News
Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with four West Bank council heads in his office on Wednesday, and stressed to them that "the settlement blocs are an inseparable part of Israel in all future negotiations with the Palestinians. The Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea are regions that are dear to my heart."
3. 'Haredim torched messianic Jew's car' - Jerusalem Post
Beit She'an police on Wednesday arrested two haredi residents on suspicion they torched a car belonging to a local messianic Jew late Tuesday night. The car was parked next to the city's police station when it was burned.
Obama At West Point
I almost felt sorry . . . watching Obama at West Point. He had the task of doing two mutually exclusive things at the same time: convincing our enemies he is willing to fight back while convincing the leftwing grassroots of his party that we will retreat soon.
How else can one explain our commander-in-chief saying, "I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan," followed immediately by this sentence: "After 18 months our troops will begin to come home." Our jihadist enemy didn't even have enough time to worry between the president's commitment to fight and his speedy commitment to retreat.
Was Obama suggesting that we would win once the extra 30,000 brave Americans were sent to Afghanistan? Who knows. In the 4,582 words that he spoke, the word "victory" never once crossed his lips. I suspect "O" is more worried about his victory in November 2012 than he is about America's victory in Afghanistan.
I know of no previous war in which we sent reinforcements while telling our enemy when we would run out of fight. Imagine FDR on the eve of D-Day telling the nation "Tonight we begin the liberation of Europe and next year we will begin the retreat from Europe." Why would any Afghan throw his lot in with us under Obama's arbitrary time line, knowing the United States will soon abandon him? Surely Al Qaeda and the Taliban will simply dig in and wait.
By the way, did you notice the reaction of the West Point officer candidates? They respectfully applauded when the president was introduced, but they did not react again until the very end when Obama threw in a few paragraphs of Reaganesque rhetoric about America's commitment to freedom. These men and women believe in American exceptionalism, even if our apologizing president does not.
Unbelievably, Hardball's Chris Matthews, noticing the cool reception, remarked, "He [Obama] went to maybe the enemy camp tonight to make his case." That wasn't an "enemy camp," Chris. That was our best and bravest, men and women who love this country so much that they are prepared to die defending it. And they have great BS detectors. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; Dec. 2, 2009)
UK Loses its Sovereignty
At midnight last night, the United Kingdom ceased to be a sovereign state - By Daniel Hannan, Telegraph Co. UK, Dec. 1, 2009
We woke up in a different country today. Alright, it doesn't look very different. The trees still seem black against the winter sun; the motorways continue to jam inexplicably; commuters carry on avoiding eye contact. But Britain is no longer a sovereign nation. At midnight last night, we ceased to be an independent state, bound by international treaties to other independent states, and became instead a subordinate unit within a European state.
Until yesterday, the EU qualified on grounds (a), (b) and (c). Now it has ticked the final box. Under the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force today, it acquires "legal personality", which gives it the right to sign accords and treat with other states. Nor is this right simply theoretical: the EU now has a foreign minister, a diplomatic corps (the European External Action Service) and 160 overseas embassies.
Until yesterday, the EU could not annex additional policy areas without a new treaty, which needed to be ratified by all its constituent nations. Now, it has the so- called "passerelle" clause, or self-amending mechanism. Parliament, in other words, no longer has the final say on extensions of EU jurisdiction. The EU derives its authority, not from its 27 members, but from its own foundational texts.
Until yesterday, Britain could simply walk out of the EU by abrogating the Treaty of Rome and repealing the 1972 European Communities Act. Henceforth, it will have to go through the secession procedure laid down in Lisbon. In other words - in the minds of Euro- lawyers, at any rate, if not of British constitutionalists - the EU gets to settle the terms on which its members are allowed to leave. Formal sovereignty has been shifted from the national capitals to Brussels.
It is appalling, demeaning, disgraceful that such a thing should have been done without popular consent, and in the absence of the referendum that all three parties had promised. "There's no point in crying over spilt milk," you might say. True. But there is every point in mopping it up. (Read more)
The Daily Jot
Hypocrisy Watch:
Congressional Hearings on White House Gate Crashers, but not on Climategate
The nation's Capital is in a brouhaha over a husband and wife team crashing a state dinner at the White House. The House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee is already holding hearings on how this could have happened. The White House is refusing to allow its Social Secretary Desiree Rogers to testify. The couple who crashed the party are also refusing to testify. The news media is covering the event as if it were the new Watergate scandal. And the White House appears to have pulled out all the stops to make sure the news media has every bit of information on the couple to permanently ruin their reputation.
The reporters and the Congressional Democrats seem outraged that someone actually could crash a White House party. There is little mention that this couple went through all the security checks that everyone else did on the evening of the party--that they didn't remotely pose a threat to the man who occupies the Oval Office. The White House is reluctantly sending a signal that perhaps its own people were at fault for the security breech. And Congressional Republicans are using the incident to point out the incompetency of the White House staff, trying to make sure that the reputation of the Secret Service is not tarnished by political hacks covering up their mistakes.
Much ado about nothing. And if ever there were an indication of how these little Neros are fiddling while Rome burns, this is it. Within 48 hours of a couple crashing a state dinner at the White House after complying with all the security checkpoints, there is a Congressional hearing set on what went wrong. Yet, the Democratic leadership, in collusion with the White House, refuses to set Congressional hearings on the fraud committed by global warming scientists who have used and are using taxpayer money to defraud the entire world into thinking that global warming is going to kill the planet. Congress, the White House and the mainstream media have ignored the mounting evidence of the global warming fraud.
Instead, Senator Barbara Boxer, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is saying that a criminal investigation should be conducted on the people who hacked into the Global Warming research computers and exposed the fraud. She said her committee may hold hearings or may not, but if it does, it will focus on the criminality of how the fraud was leaked to the public--not whether scientists intentionally defrauded taxpayers by publishing false information. The Apostle Paul warned in 2 Timothy 3:13, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." The government collusion to defraud American citizens is what should be investigated.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
'Honor killings' in USA raise concerns
Muslim immigrant men have been accused of six "honor killings" in the United States in the past two years, prompting concerns that the Muslim community and police need to do more to stop such crimes. "There is broad support and acceptance of this idea in Islam, and we're going to see it more and more in the United States," says Robert Spencer, who has trained FBI and military authorities on Islam and founded Jihad Watch, which monitors radical Islam. Honor killings are generally defined as murders of women by relatives who claim the victim brought shame to the family. Thousands of such killings have occurred in Muslim countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan and Palestinian territories, according to the World Health Organization. Some clerics and even lawmakers in these countries have said families have the right to commit honor killings as a way of maintaining values, according to an analysis by Yotam Feldner in the journal Middle East Quarterly.(USA Today)
Another spying scandal at Gitmo
A number of Arabic and Pashtu interpreters at the terror- war detention center at Guantanamo Bay are under active investigation for omitting valuable intelligence from their translations of detainee interrogations, among other security breaches. This could taint some of the evidence at the "9/11 trial" in New York and proceedings against other detainees. Remarkably, the Pentagon never cleaned up the "mole infestation" at its highest-security facility after the FBI busted a Muslim spy ring at Gitmo in 2003. The 2003 probe involved at least two Arabic interpreters with high-level security clearance. Senior Airman Ahmad al-Halabi, a Syrian native, and former Army linguist Ahmed Mehalba, an Egyptian native, were later convicted of stealing or mishandling classified documents. (New York Post) Read more
The Al-Qaeda Bar
Some of the nation's wealthiest and most powerful law firms have donated hundreds of millions of dollars in free legal services to terror suspects at the Guantanamo Bay prison. Their work, bolstered by left-wing activists groups, has helped to free, or force the transfer, of hundreds of al Qaeda suspects to third countries. Some have gone back to terrorism and the job of trying to kill Americans.
The work of big American law firms on behalf of al Qaeda is drawing new attention since Attorney General Eric Holder decided this month that Khalid Sheik Mohammed, who orchestrated the murder of over 3,000 9-11, is coming to New York City for trial. Holder was a partner at Covington & Burling, which in 2005 gave one its attorneys an award for aiding 17 Yemeni suspects at Guantanamo. It was the constant pressure of activist defense lawyers, in the courts and in public debate, that helped persuade the Obama administration to bring KSM, as he is known, to Manhattan from his Guantanamo Bay prison cell for a civilian, rather than, a military trial.
Andrew McCarthy, a former U.S. attorney who led the prosecution of the Islamist who planned the first World Trade Center terror attack in 1993, told Human Events the American lawyers are not only helping individual detainees. They are helping radical Islam. (Human Events) Read more.
The Good News Corner
Historic Reconciliation Ceremony Takes Place Steps Away From Wall Street
It was between the Lenape tribe and one of America's oldest Protestant churches.
(New York, NY)-The AP reports that on Native American Heritage Day, at a reconciliation ceremony of the Lenape tribe with the Collegiate Church, "members of one of America's oldest Protestant churches officially apologized Friday, for the first time, for massacring and displacing Native Americans 400 years ago."
We consumed your resources, dehumanized your people and disregarded your culture, along with your dreams, hopes and great love for this land," the Rev. Robert Chase told descendants from both sides. "With pain, we the Collegiate Church, remember our part in these events."
According to the report the ceremony "was held in front of the Museum of the American Indian in lower Manhattan, where Dutch colonizers had built their fort near an Indian trail now called Broadway, just steps away from Wall Street." (AP) Read more
(Source: Breaking Christian News; Dec. 2, 2009)
