In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• State of the Union Address
• Second Thoughts
• About that Super Bowl Ad --
• Update: Proposition 8
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, January 28, 2010
In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Pelosi Pushes $300 Billion to "Fix" Senate Healthcare Bill - Fox News
Senior Democratic aides told Fox News that Pelosi has offered up the new package of changes to Senate Democratic leaders, with the hope that they will be able to pass it using a controversial procedural maneuver known as "reconciliation." The maneuver would allow Democrats to pass the measure with just 51 votes, without having to first overcome the normal 60-vote threshold.
- Father, let this plan die in its tracks. Let no passage of the healthcare bill be done by subterfuge. May the lawyers who know You rise up and remember the exact rules for using the reconciliation method of passage, and fight against it.
- 'Woe to the rebellions children,' says the Lord, 'who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin.' " (Isaiah 30:1)
2. Obama Appeals to GOP Conscience in Pressing Forward with Agenda - Fox News
Obama, pressing ahead with his sweeping domestic agenda, is using one of his favorite tools to try to get Republicans on board: shame.
Rather than dial back his ambitions in the wake of his party's loss last week in the Massachusetts Senate election, the president used his State of the Union address Wednesday night to pressure the GOP into working with Democrats by appealing to their collective conscience.
- Lord, we as Christians are struggling deeply with prayer for this President. He said he wanted to stop lobbyists, yet several of his key people are former lobbyists. He claimed to create 200 million jobs yet millions of jobs have been lost over the year. He failed to speak of our national security at all. He spoke belittling words at the Supreme Court Justices who sat directly in front of him about their vote for free speech this last week. The attempts to re-focus people's attention away from key issues by shame are unconscionable. Lord, we beseech You to move in this man's life to change his heart and mind rather than allow him to continue to use untruths and intimidation. We also ask that You move in our lives to grant us the grace to pray for him.
- "On the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul." (Psalm 138:3)
3. Fed Chief Awaits Key Confirmation Vote - AP
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a lightning rod for anger over Wall Street bailouts, is expected to overcome Senate opposition and win a second term as head of the U.S. central bank.
The Senate has scheduled a key vote Thursday that will determine whether Bernanke has at least 60 senators on his side to beat a filibuster aimed at blocking his reappointment. Senate leaders from both parties expressed confidence he would prevail.
- Father, You alone know the inner workings of this man's heart. Whether he is a good pick for the Federal Reserve or not, we place our trust in You. So we pray that You will move in Mr Bernanke, if he survives this vote, to bring about righteous actions for America's economy.
- "These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine." (Isaiah 29:24)
4. Pentagon to Send More Special Forces Troops to Yemen - The Wall Street Journal
The Pentagon is assigning more special forces personnel to Yemen as part of a broad push to speed the training of the country's counterterror forces in the wake of the failed Christmas Day attack on a crowded U.S. airliner.
- Father, we pray that this training will be used for us and not against us. We ask protection over the special forces as they attempt to remove Al Qaeda's hold in Yemen.
- "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4)
5. Senate Approves Tougher Deficit Curbs - AP
The Senate has approved tough new budget rules to make it harder to run up the deficit with new tax cuts or federal benefit programs. The Democratic-backed plan would make it more difficult to permanently extend some tax cuts that expire at the end of this year and renew health care subsidies for laid-off workers.
The idea passed by a 60-40 party-line vote. It attempts to curb the spiraling budget deficit by requiring spending increases or tax cuts to be "paid for" with cuts to other programs or tax increases. If the rules are broken, there would be automatic cuts to programs like Medicare, farm subsidies and veterans' pensions.
The rules must still be passed by the House as part of legislation to allow the government to increase its limit on issuing new debt.
- Lord, by the subterfuge of a title, these legislators have made it nearly impossible to re-instate any tax cuts for hard-pressed Americans, while allowing themselves unlimited spending. It is a legislative form of extortion. We ask that You stop this bill in the House. We pray for You to cause Your people and even those who do not know You to rise up and remove those from office who have not voted in integrity or righteousness.
- "For in you, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God. For I said, 'Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, lest, when my foot slips they exalt themselves against me." (Psalm 38:15,16)
6. Document reveals scope of EU trade with Iran - Ynet News
Europe boasts of its efforts to foil the Iranian nuclear program, but in reality has been trading with the Islamic Republic in the amount of some 65 billion euros (roughly $91 billion) in the past three years.
- Father, hear our prayers against the deception and underhanded practices that feed our enemies and harm the security of both the US and Israel!
- "The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; he has ceased to be wise and to do good." (Psalm 36:3)
7. Atheist Group Blasts Postal Service for Stamp Honoring Mother Theresa - Fox News
An atheist organization is blasting the U.S. Postal Service for its plan to honor Mother Teresa with a commemorative stamp, saying it violates postal regulations against honoring "individuals whose principal achievements are associated with religious undertakings."
- Lord, it seems that honorable, compassionate people aren't worthy of stamps. We ask that You put a stop to the Freedom From Religion Foundation by saving their souls.
- "Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 'Who are You, Lord?' he said. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting', He replied. 'But get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.'" (Acts 9:4,5) HCSB
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
" Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
1. Arab League chief presses for Palestinian state - Ynet News
Arab League chief Amr Moussa said Wednesday that if a Palestinian state is not established soon there will be a single state for Israelis and Palestinians.
2. '2010 will see us beat the occupation' - Ynet News
The recent clashes in the Ramallah-adjacent village of Nabi Saleh, which is the newest addition to the list of confrontation locales between Palestinians and IDF forces in the West Bank, are bolstering the position of those fighting against the separation fence.
3. Iran leader predicts destruction of Israel - AFP
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is confident Islamic nations will one day watch the destruction of arch-foe Israel, his website Wednesday quoted him as saying.
State of the Union Address
Obama Tries to Change the Topic to the Economy
SUMMARY: State of the Union heavy on jobs, light on health care and social issues.
Obama delivered his first State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and the American people tonight. The speech was more than an hour long and much of it was spent on the topic of jobs and the economy.
"When I ran for President," he said, "I promised I wouldn't just do what was popular -- I would do what was necessary."
Ashley Horn, federal issues analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the speech was notable for what was in it -- and what was not."He basically looked at the American public tonight and said, 'I don't care what you think about health care, we are still moving forward,'" she said. "He didn't say anything about the value of life, he didn't say anything about marriage. That's what we really would love to see out of a president."
When he did touch on social issues, it was in defiance of values voters. "This year, I will work with Congress and our military," he said, "to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are."
"That's nothing new," Horne said. "He's said that before, and we'll be ready for that."
Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., said after the speech that the president is still not listening to the American people. "He's tone deaf," Akin said. "The policies he's pushing are going to hurt employment and small businesses."
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell offered the Republican response. While Obama hardly touched the social issues, McDonnell was clear. "America must always be a land where liberty and property are valued and respected, and innocent human life is protected.
"Government should have this clear goal: Where opportunity is absent, we must create it. Where opportunity is limited, we must expand it. Where opportunity is unequal, we must make it open to everyone." (CitizenLink)
Second Thoughts
While the White House and leftwing activists may be in denial about the results of last week's special election in Massachusetts, a number of Democrats appear to be getting the message. In the immediate aftermath of Scott Brown's stunning upset victory, the White House was defiant and determined to pass ObamaCare. Having lost their 60-vote supermajority in the Senate, Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi quickly began discussing the available options for muscling their socialized medicine scheme through Congress.
Two plans emerged. One, called the "ping pong" option, would have the House pass the Senate's bill with no amendments. But two days after Brown's win, Pelosi said she didn't have the votes to pass the Senate bill because of major differences. That left Democrats with reconciliation as their last option.
It's a tricky legislative procedure, but it requires only 51 votes to pass the Senate. Major leftwing groups like SIEU, AARP and MoveOn.org were demanding Democrats move quickly to ram Obamacare through using the reconciliation process. For the past few days, it seemed likely that the Reid and Pelosi would try it.
Conservative groups were quick to sound the alarm and mobilize grassroots opposition, and our efforts are making a difference. Late yesterday evening, Politico reported that at least eight Senate Democrats (including Connecticut Independent Joe Lieberman) had expressed outright opposition or strong reservations to using this trick to pass a bill that nearly 60% of the public opposes. Suddenly, Harry Reid is saying "There is no rush" to pass ObamaCare. (Gary Bauer)
About that Super Bowl Ad --
"Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life"
On February 7th, millions of Americans will tune in to watch the Super Bowl. Among the highlights every year are the ads. Major corporations spend millions to produce and air these ads, which can become instant hits. This year, our friends at Focus on the Family are running an ad featuring former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, quarterback of the University of Florida Gators.
Sadly, the ad is generating quite a lot of controversy. Tebow's not endorsing a product, just the radical idea that we should celebrate family and the dignity of each human life. This is a very personal issue for Tim Tebow, because in 1987 his mother, Pam, was encouraged by her doctors to abort him. She refused, and today her 22 year-old son is considered one of the greatest athletes in college football history.
The Women's Media Center is organizing a protest effort to pressure CBS to ban the ad. It won't surprise you to learn that board members for the Center include Jodie Evans of Code Pink, Gloria Feldt of Planned Parenthood, Gloria Steinem and, of course, Jane Fonda. In trying to silence the story of Pam Tebow's choice, the pro-abortion movement is proving once again just how anti-choice it really is. And its reaction speaks volumes.
Our children are constantly bombarded with over- sexualized, anti-family, "If it feels good do it" messages from the popular culture. Why is the Left so threatened by one 30-second ad? Because the message is so powerful. It speaks to the core values of our nation's founding - that all are created equal and endowed by our Creator with the inalienable right to life. And the Left knows it is losing this debate, especially among our nation's youth. One recent poll found that 58 percent of those aged 18 to 29 believe that abortion is "morally wrong."
My hat goes off to Focus on the Family for producing this ad, and to Tim and Pam Tebow for having the courage to speak up for the sanctity of life. (Gary Bauer)
Update: Proposition 8
A Vigorous Defense for Traditional Marriage
Wrap Up: Week Two
As lawyers for the plaintiffs challenging Prop 8 neared the conclusion of their arguments and prepared to "rest their case" today, the court next turned its attention to the defense case put on by the Prop 8 Legal Team. But that doesn't mean our legal defense team, while waiting our turn to present the official defense, hasn't been vigorously fighting to uphold Prop 8 during the plaintiffs' case-in-chief. In fact, when the courtroom came to order this morning the time clock tells me that while plaintiffs have logged 28 hours in presenting their case, the defense team has logged nearly as much time - 27 hours - cross-examining the plaintiffs' witnesses and introducing our own evidence into the record.
Before resting their case, plaintiffs began Week Three this morning with a "document dump," which means they admitted into the trial record a slew of documents they view to be evidence to support their case. Nothing earthshaking in and of itself, but the subtext is utterly astounding.
Despite supposedly winning our appeal in the Ninth Circuit to protect the privacy of our internal Prop 8 campaign records, the trial judge has still forced us to hand over literally tens of thousands of pages of sensitive campaign memos, emails and other documents to the plaintiffs. After sifting through our internal documents for facts they think aid their case, they had them labeled as trial exhibits and added to the court record.
So if the Yes on 8 campaign has been forced to open up its internal campaign records for this court trial, then shouldn't also the No on 8 campaign have to do so, too? Well, although we filed a motion some time ago asking the court to order the "No on 8" campaign to disclose to us the same types of documents as those we had to disclose to them, the court has refused to rule on our request and thus we have been prevented from examining even one single document from the opponents of Prop 8. [Read more]
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Prayer calls continue to uphold the marriage amendment M-F 8:AM PST for the duration of the trial
712-432-0232 Access Code 246193
Join us as we agree for God to expose the bias.
Whether or not you join the call, please pray!
The Good News Corner
It Is Well With My Soul
Let's just worship the King . . .
It IS well with my soul . . .
