In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Prop 8 Goes to Court
• Congress Keeping Secrets
• Constitution, Shmonstitution
• The Daily Jot
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, January 12, 2010
" . . . my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Health Care Overhaul Bill Is 'Hanging by a Thread': Dodd - CNBC
Health care reform is "hanging on by a thread," and one or two votes could determine the outcome of the heavily-debated bill, Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd told CNBC Monday. President Obama's administration has come under fire lately for putting too much emphasis on health care reform, causing many to question whether Democrats will retain their majority control come November.
• Thank you, Lord for hearing our prayers and preventing this healthcare bill from going forward. We pray there will be continued dissention on the abortion specifics between prolife members and prochoice "progressive" people. Let new members come in on the November elections with Your heart and vision for America.
• He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. (2 Samuel 22:18,19)
2. Cost of Gas Up 14 Cents in the Last Three Weeks - MSNBC
The average price of regular gasoline in the United States is up 14 cents over a three-week period to $2.74.
• Heavenly Father, we pray you keep the costs low on our resources - especially fuel. We pray that as Joseph was able to feed his people during a famine - there will be plentiful resources to help the people in this economy. Prosper especially Christian companies.
• And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
3. Governors Facing Troubles As Economy Hits Home - NewsMax
Like many Democratic governors today, Iowa's Chet Culver won in 2006 on the strength of ambitious and expensive promises such as universal preschool and a plan to bolster the state's alternative energy industry.
• Lord, we pray the reality of this economy will cause people to vote out those who voted for expensive programs which raised our deficit and has put our economy in dire straits. Remove them and give us leaders with your vision and wisdom.
• And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. (1 Chronicles 12:21)
4. N.J. Approves Medical Marijuana Bill - USA Today
The bill allows patients with ailments such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis to buy up to 2 ounces of marijuana a month at state-monitored dispensaries. The other states that permit medical use of marijuana are Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
• Lord, we pray new natural remedies be found that will be effective. Block any increase in bills that would cause more drug dependency in our nation- whether prescription drugs or alcohol.
• And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18)
5. Congressional Spending Waste in Copenhagen: 21 Members All-Expenses Paid - CBS News
Our investigation found that the congressional delegation was so large, it needed three military jets: two 737's and a Gulfstream Five -- up to 64 passengers -- traveling in luxurious comfort. Add senators and staff, most of whom flew commercial, and we counted at least 101 Congress-related attendees.
Three military jets at $9,900 per hour - $168,000 just in flight time. Dozens flew commercial at up to $2,000 each. 321 hotel nights booked the bulk at Copenhagen's five-star Marriott. Meals add tens of thousands more.
• Heavenly Father, we pray people will desire holiness more than anything in our nation. We pray for new leaders who will have scruples, honesty, and humbleness.
• Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
6. Political 'Retirements' Adding Up for Both Parties - CNBC
In the House, 14 GOP incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while 10 Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement. But for Democrats, losing any more incumbents could spell an even greater worry, especially if they want to maintain their 60 vote majority in the Senate.
• Lord, we pray that during this time before the elections, candidates true hearts and intentions will be revealed, so we will elect only people who have a heart for restoring this nation. Raise up honorable people to serve our nation!
• Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. (Proverbs 12:22)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit." (Isaiah 27:6)
1. Israeli Robots Remake Battlefield - Wall Street Journal
Israel is developing an army of robotic fighting machines that offers a window onto the potential future of warfare.
2. Turkey lashes out at Israel - Ynet News
Turkey's prime minister accused Israel on Monday of threatening peace in the region and using disproportionate force against Palestinians.
3. Israel's U.S. envoy: Obama peace plan unrealistic - Ha'aretz
Israel's ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, deemed U.S. special Mideast envoy George Mitchell's vision of peace within two years an "unrealistic goal".
4. Archaeologists unearth ancient building in TA - Jerusalem Post
The remains of a prehistoric Tel Aviv building, which is the earliest ever discovered in the area and estimated to be 7,800-8,400 years' old, have been unearthed in an archaeological excavation, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Monday.
5. Peres to Medvedev: Moscow can play vital role in peace process - Jerusalem Post
Moscow can play a vital trust-building role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, President Shimon Peres told Russian President Dimitry Medvedev in a phone conversation on Monday night.
Prop 8 Goes to Court
Marriage Amendment Goes to Court
Constitutionality of California Marriage Amendment to be Decided
SUMMARY: A historic battle regarding the definition of marriage is under way.
The legal battle to determine the constitutionality of one- man, one-woman marriage began in a San Francisco federal courthouse today.
The challenge is to Proposition 8, which California voters approved in November 2008. There already has been an unusual twist, according to Jordan Lorence, an attorney defending the amendment.
"What is significant, and somewhat unusual, is that the judge asked a lot of questions," Lorence said. "You don't have judges interrupting the opening arguments."
The Supreme Court of California created same- sex "marriage" last year, even though the justices knew the issue was about to go to a vote.
Ron Prentice, executive director of ProtectMarriage.com, said the future of marriage may be riding on this court case.
"It's impossible to overstate the importance of this case to the future of marriage in America. Not only is the constitutionality of California's Prop. 8 at stake, but so are the marriage laws of 45 other states and the federal Defense of Marriage Act," Prentice said.
"Prayers and support have sustained us and give us confidence that we will prevail in this historic battle."
No cameras will be allowed to record the proceedings, after the United States Supreme Court overruled Judge Vaughn Walker. (by Nima Reza, managing editor; CitizenLink)
Congress Keeping Secrets
Can You Keep a Secret? So Can Congress.
The House of Representatives returned to Washington this week to kick off the second session of the 111th Congress--after a first half that hardly left Americans begging for more. Although the Senate isn't slated to return until next week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D- Calif.) will use these first few days to get a head start on the messy negotiations that await both chambers on the health care bill. Before the leadership can put this controversial issue in its rearview mirror, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have to navigate through the touchy process of merging the two bills. And right now, that "process" isn't scheduled to include Republicans. Instead of taking the legislation to conference, where members could iron out their differences in the open, a handful of Democrats have decided to hole up in the leader's office and hash out the $2.5 trillion plan on their own.
The move was so outrageous that it triggered a challenge from C-SPAN C.E.O. Brian Lamb, who admonished Congress to keep the process honest by broadcasting it. Interestingly enough, the idea wasn't his--it was the President's. As a candidate, Barack Obama promised eight times to air the final health care negotiations on C-SPAN so that "the public would be a part of the conversation and see the choices that are being made... We will work on this process publicly. It will be on C-SPAN. It will be streaming over the web." For now, however, the delicate dance will take place over the next few weeks in secret. Once the two bosses sign off on a compromise, the bill will head to the House floor, where it will have to pass by majority vote.
That could be tricky, given the major disparities of the two plans--like taxpayer-funded abortion, which the Senate bill allows and the House version bans. The two chambers also disagree on the timetable of reform. Both raise taxes immediately, but Speaker Pelosi would rather implement her plan sooner (2013) rather than later (2014). Also, the Senate plan hangs most of the price on the states, while the House relies entirely on the federal government. One thing the leadership can agree on is moving quickly to resolve their differences. Both sides see the handwriting on the voting booth wall and will do everything they can to make this bill a distant memory by Election Day. (Family Research Council)
Constitution, Shmonstitution
While the Democrats try to piece together the final health care overhaul legislation, they're ignoring people, procedures, and now the U.S. Constitution. A number of scholars are claiming that both bills violate America 's guiding document. Three such experts--Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Family Research Council Senior Fellow Ken Blackwell, and Ken Klukowski of the American Civil Rights Union--outlined the problem in the Wall Street Journal.
As they point out in their op-ed, the Constitution doesn't give Congress the power to mandate that Americans purchase health insurance. Secondly, the Senate version includes several deals to secure the votes of some undecided senators. This kind of selective spending, which targets certain states, runs afoul of the general welfare clause. Lastly, the legislation cannot order that the states establish things like benefit exchanges. Otherwise, Congress is rendering states as nothing more than subdivisions of the federal government.
You'll have the opportunity to hear the case against the Constitution this Thursday at 11:00 a.m. (ET), as Ken Blackwell and Law Professor Nelson Lund host a timely lecture on "The Irrelevant Constitution: How the Obama- Pelosi-Reid Health Care Bill Violates America's Charter Text." Please RSVP by clicking here if you plan to attend in person or via live webcast.
The Daily Jot
Of Righteousness, Racism and Harry Reid
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is calling on Nevada Democrat and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to resign. Steele says that Reid made racist comments about Obama. Reid apparently has admitted to saying that the former senator from Illinois was "light skinned" and speaks "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one" during the 2008 campaign. Reid reportedly phoned Obama to apologize and was left off the hook. Obama said "I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart. As far as I am concerned the book is closed."
Well, not so fast, says Steele, who recalls the news media skewering of Mississippi Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, who was driven out of his leadership position in 2002 for comments he made at a Strom Thurmond benefit about a 1948 Presidential campaign. In trying to be gracious to the retiring Thurmond, Lott said that the problems of the day would have been solved if Thurmond would have been elected president when he ran in 1948. Thurmond, however, was a segregationist at the time running under a Democratic Party offshoot called the Dixicrat Party. Lott apologized for his "poor choice of words," but Lott was hounded until he resigned.
The December 12, 2002 issue of the Chicago Defender quoted then State Senator Obama as saying, "It seems to be that we can forgive a 100-year-old senator for some of the indiscretion of his youth, but, what is more difficult to forgive is the current president of the US Senate (Lott) suggesting we had been better off if we had followed a segregationist path in this country after all of the battles and fights for civil rights and all the work that we still have to do. The Republican Party itself has to drive out Trent Lott. If they have to stand for something, they have to stand up and say this is not the person we want representing our party."
There is no shortage of hypocrisy in politics, but it is amazing how forgiving some people can be when they are on the same side of the political fence as the offender. Reid should resign--not just over a caddy remark he made in private, but rather over his reckless disregard for the Constitution; his support of special rights for homosexuals, yet no rights for the life of the unborn; his treasonous remarks over the US losing the war in Iraq; and his support for socialist programs. Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to all people." With some 52 percent of Nevada voters now having an unfavorable opinion of Reid, perhaps they will this year reward Reid for his deeds.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
The Good News Corner
The Good News Corner: Missouri Lawmaker Takes Stand for Life
Rep. Scott Rupp filed a bill attempting to protect his state from abortion mandates in health care reform. The Missouri Republican Rupp doesn't want his state taxpayers forced to fund abortion services under the Democrats' plan. "We see this as an overarching reach from the government," he said. "We're trying to say in Missouri, 'We are a pro-life state, we respect the sanctity of life and we want to make sure we protect the unborn.'"
Rupp is proactively protecting Missourians' rights, even though the final health care draft has not been determined.
"One of the reasons we were looking at how we drafted the language," he said, "was there are some provisions in one of the versions of the federal government's bill that does allow the states to have this right to say, 'No we can do what we want to do in our own state.'"
TAKE ACTION:
Tell your senators and representative you oppose passage of this massive health care bill and the inclusion of abortion coverage in the final version. Go here.
