In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Washington Bureaucrats Starving Economy
• Another Judicial Nominee in Question
• "A Strong First Step"
• Update: The 112th Congress
• Meanwhile . . . Back at Mecca . . .
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, November 17, 2010
"I know that My redeemer lives." (Job 19:25)
The Daily Brief
1. House ethics panel finds Rangel guilty of violations - Gary Bauer
A House Ethics subcommittee today concluded a two-year investigation of New York Democrat Charlie Rangel by finding him guilty on 11 of 13 charges. The charges against Rangel ranged from improper fundraising activities and violating federal tax laws to using rent-controlled residential apartments for his campaign office.
Ordinary Americans, those of us who pay Charlie Rangel's salary, would be headed to jail if convicted of similar charges. The full Ethics Committee must now determine Rangel's punishment, which could include expulsion from the House. Rangel should resign. If he refuses, the House of Representatives should show him the door.
- Pray that justice is served, and pray that Rep. Rangel will come to a place of brokenness in his heart - coming to the "end of himself" - that he might find and know Christ as his Savior.
- Yet He also is wise, and will bring disaster, And will not call back His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of those who work iniquity. (Isaiah 31:2)
2. Conservative Group Calls on Justice Dept. to Investigate Muslim Prayers on Capitol Hill - Fox News
A conservative advocacy group on Friday called on the Justice Department to investigate a weekly prayer session on Capitol Hill that Muslims with terrorist ties have been participating in since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The American Center for Law and Justice, founded by the Rev. Pat Robertson, issued the demand one day after FoxNews.com revealed that notorious Al Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki was among the controversial figures who has attended the weekly Friday Jummah prayers hosted by the Congressional Muslims Staff Association during the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations.
There appears to be no public record of the people the Congressional Muslims Staff Association has invited to Capitol Hill, but FoxNews.com was able to glean a portrait of the Jummah prayer meetings through video footage, news reports, court records and social media posts. Among those who have participated are an Al Qaeda leader, the head of a designated terror organization and a confessed jihadist-in-training.
Read more.
- Pray for protection for Jay Sekulow, his staff, and all who will be involved in bringing this case to litigation. Ask our Lord to grant each member of the legal team His wisdom as they pursue this very dangerous issue. Pray that all evidence that comes to light would be irrefutable - and that in the end - this Friday prayer on the Hill would be canceled.
- "For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land." (Psalm 37:9)
3. Obama's Prospects for Russia Arms Pact Fade as GOP Balks - AP
An agreement between the U.S. and Russia to slash nuclear arsenals is in danger of collapse after the Senate's No. 2 Republican said he opposed a vote this year, prompting a warning from Vice President Biden.
- Offer praise for this report, and continue to press in until this SALT treaty is declared "null and void" in this session of Congress.
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
4. Obama, Hispanic Caucus Members Talk DREAM Act - Fox News
Obama met privately in the Oval Office Tuesday with leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to discuss immigration reform, and aides say his hope that Congress will approve the DREAM Act during the lame duck session. The legislation would give children of illegal immigrants an opportunity to earn their citizenship by working toward a college degree or military service. Critics say it is the first step on the path toward amnesty, although the issue does have some bipartisan support. But if creating jobs and strengthening the economy are what American voters are demanding following the election, some critics are asking if the limited lame duck session is the time to take on this issue.
Read more:
- The DREAM Act is another term for "blanket amnesty." Pray accordingly.
- "What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil" (Isaiah 5:20)
5. Soros group wants Obama to rule by executive order - WND
It was progressives who won the mid-term elections, particularly incumbents in a socialist-founded congressional caucus that emerged from last week's ballots virtually unscathed, boasted an article published by the George Soros-funded Institute for Policy Studies, a Marxist-oriented think-tank in Washington, D.C. The article recommends that President Obama govern from executive order to push through a progressive agenda.
Read more.
- There they go - trying to change the Constitution again; as well as distorting the results of this election. The American people have spoken loudly and clearly, and have repudiated any vestige of the socialist agenda of this administration. To try to impose this agenda now by issuing a series of Executive Orders would only serve to weaken the president's authority. In prayer, forgive these lost souls, for they know not what they do; and place a hedge around their strategy, that it would fail. No more!
- "Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb." (Psalm 37:1,2)
6. More US households short of food - BBC
Almost 15% of US households experienced a food shortage at some point in 2009, a government report has found. US authorities say that figure is the highest they have seen since they began collecting data in the 1990s, and a slight increase over 2008 levels. Single mothers are among the hardest hit: About 3.5 million said they were at times unable to put sufficient food on the table.
- As we prepare to enter into this Thanksgiving season, ask our Lord to grant His wisdom to those in authority, who need to find a way to address the issue of poverty in America. If our Lord was able to feed 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes, surely He can reveal His strategies that our people today may not go hungry, either. Amen.
- "I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread." (Psalm 37:25)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
• "Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together: There the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. (Psalm 122:3-5)
1. Israel demands written US guarantees before freeze - Ynet News
Israel has demanded the United States provide written security guarantees before it votes on whether to agree to freeze Jewish settlement building in the West Bank, an Israeli political source said Tuesday.
2. Palestinians have delayed freeze deal with the US - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian refusal to return to the negotiating table even if a 90-day settlement freeze is in place has delayed the anticipated agreement between Israel and the US for a package of incentives in exchange for such a moratorium, The Jerusalem Post has learned from sources close to the issue.
3. Israel keeping a close eye on West Bank as negotiations continue - ICEJ News
The Border Police unit of the IDF has transferred hundreds of officers from the Jordanian border to the West Bank. "There is a need to beef up forces in the West Bank due to a possible increase in tensions there over progress in the peace talks," a defense official said.
In related news, the Central Bureau of Statistics released figures on Monday showing that at the end of 2009, the Muslim population in Israel was estimated to be 1,286,000, an increase of 32,000 from the end of 2008. Almost a third of Israel's Muslim community lives in neighborhoods of eastern Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future State.
The Daily Jot
Airport Pat Down Solution: Separate Sheep and Goats
The invasive airport scanning and government approved groping of air passengers by the White House is designed to prevent terrorists from the deadly sabotaging of planes. A friend of mine who is a disabled and highly decorated veteran has had to undergo these invasive "pat-downs." He said the Transportation Safety Administration agent told him that 80% of the terrorists are homegrown and angry. The TSA agent failed to mention that a likely 99% are Muslim. And herein lies the issue: the ones who have caused the problem are the ones yelling the loudest about the procedures when they are used against Muslims. Yet historically Muslims are the most likely candidates to perpetrate terrorism on airplanes.
On February 12, a body of Islamic scholars calling themselves the Fiqh Council of North America issued a fatwa saying that airport scanners violate Islamic rules on modesty. At the time, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) endorsed the fatwa. Nihad Awad, spokesman for the Muslim civil rights group that has ties to terrorism, said in a USA Today article, "We support the Fiqh Council's statement on full-body scanners and believe that the religious and privacy rights of passengers can be respected while maintaining safety and security." What CAIR and others did not expect was that to avoid the scanners, their Islamists would have to endure a humiliating "pat down."
On November 10, CAIR issued a travel advisory for all Muslims, saying the advisory is "particularly important for Muslim travelers leaving for or returning from Hajj." The CAIR advisory gives a brief story of a 56 year old Muslim woman who underwent a secondary screening "even though the metal detector did not go off, a phenomenon reported frequently to CAIR by female Muslim travelers." This leads CAIR to concluding that "if you experience any disturbing incidents with the new pat down procedure, particularly if you feel you have been subjected to religious or racial profiling, harassment or unfair treatment, immediately file a complaint with the TSA and report the incident to your local CAIR chapter."
There is sound Biblical precedence showing us how to solve this problem. Jesus describes the judgment in Matthew 25:32, 33, "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." Two lines. Muslims and aliens on the left. Others on the right. Pat downs on the left. Metal scanners and spot "pat downs" on the right. Perhaps with this treatment, those whose people caused the problem will eventually police their own rather than face the humiliation. But of course that's profiling. And we should not publicly admit terrorists are most likely Muslims and take appropriate action...or should we?
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Washington Bureaucrats Starving Economy
Poll after poll has found that jobs and the economy are the main issues concerning Americans. Most political analysts agree that Democrats paid a price at the ballot box for pursuing a left-wing agenda and not doing enough to create jobs. One of the most important things conservatives in the new Congress can do is to expose and stop the job-killing regulations of this administration.
John Hofmeister, a former CEO of the Shell oil company, was on CNBC this morning. He was warning that the regulatory regime of the Obama Administration is effectively starving America of the energy we need to create jobs and fuel economic growth.
As one governor recently said, the EPA now stands for the "Employment Prevention Agency." Coal mines in Kentucky and West Virginia cannot get permits. Oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico is at a standstill. Jobs are being lost. We're also losing vital supplies of domestic energy and setting the stage for shortages and serious price spikes in the future. This has got to end.
House Republicans must hold frequent hearings with top administration officials. They must ask hard questions and demand explanations for what John Hofmeister calls the "starvation of future [energy] production." (Gary Bauer)
Another Judicial Nominee in Question
Democrats Pushing Anti-Family Judicial Nominee -- Again
While news media outlets focus on whether Congress should extend tax cuts to all Americans, Senate Democrats are hoping that the "third time's a charm" when it comes to confirming one particular highly controversial judicial nominee. With prodding from liberal groups, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., will bring up nine District Court nominees and three for the appellate courts.
On the list is U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny (pronounced Shot-nee) -- President Obama's nominee to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals -- whose nomination breezed through the Senate Judiciary Committee back in August on an almost straight party line vote, except for Sen. Feinstein, D-Calif., who abstained.
The nomination lapsed before the whole Senate could vote, requiring his re-nomination and new committee vote scheduled for this week.
One liberal group strongly supporting Chatigny is the Alliance for Justice (AFJ) -- funded by liberal billionaire George Soros, who funds organizations attempting to undermine the judiciary.
While on the bench in Connecticut, Chatigny went out of his way to prevent the execution of confessed serial rapist and murderer Michael Ross, also known as the "Roadside Strangler." As a result of this case, seven state prosecutors filed judicial-ethics complaints against him.
But this case wasn't the only cause for ire. In every child-pornography case he handled -- 12 in all -- he issued minimum or less-than-minimum sentences.
In a June 7 Washington Times op-ed, Penny Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America, wrote why Chatigny should be rejected -- again:
"Robert Chatigny has abused his judicial position to demonstrate his empathy for sexual offenders. His preference for 'sexual sadists' and sex offenders over their victims violates judicial ethics of impartiality, and sends the message that violence against women and girls is acceptable.
"Americans will get the message loud and clear that a senator who votes for Robert Chatigny agrees with his 'empathy' for sex offenders, sadists, rapists and murderers of women and girls."
Nevertheless, Obama said his nominee is:
"'A faithful public servant'. . . who possesses a first-rate legal mind. It is with full confidence in (his) ability, integrity and independence that I nominate (him) to the bench of the United States Court of Appeals." (CitizenLink)
Read the entire article by going here.
"A Strong First Step"
The newly-elected House members are in town this week, and most of them are proud members of the Tea Party movement. I had the privilege of meeting quite a few of the incoming freshmen members of Congress last night. They are eager to get to work, and they were very grateful for the support we are able to provide thanks to your generosity. I'm pleased to report that these new conservatives have already scored their first victory.
Yesterday, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced his support for a moratorium on earmarks or pork-barrel spending. To its credit, the House Republican leadership has aggressively fought earmarks for some time. For example, Rep. John Boehner, who will be Speaker next year, has never requested earmarks. In the Senate, Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn have been pushing their Senate colleagues to adopt an earmark ban, but until yesterday they faced resistance from key leaders.
Banning earmarks is not going to make a dent in the deficit. And some earmark advocates would argue, as Sen. McConnell has, that they take spending discretion away from President Obama and liberal bureaucrats. That said, McConnell clearly got the message on November 2nd that the voters want change in Washington and less spending. It is a strong sign that the Tea Party movement and the GOP are coming together.
Sen. McConnell said, "Americans know the difference between talking about change and actually delivering on it. On the issue of congressional earmarks as the leader of my party in the Senate, I have to lead first by example. . . Unless people like me show the American people they are willing to follow through on . . . small or even symbolic things we risk losing them on the broader arguments to cut spending and rein in government."
His position was applauded by House Republican Leader John Boehner, who said, "An earmark moratorium shows that elected officials are serious about restoring trust between the American people and those who are elected to represent them. This is a strong first step -- though only a first step -- towards making the tough choices required to get our country back on track." (Gary Bauer)
Update: The 112th Congress
The Fighting Freshmen of the 112th
As the Congressional Class of 2010 streams into Washington for orientation week, plenty of freshmen stand out. For starters, most of them have never held elected office before. Instead, they've come to Capitol Hill--not as career politicians--but from a broad swath of American life, including eight pro-life medical professionals, a funeral home director, former TV reality star, offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles, an auctioneer, a Gospel-singing farmer, and even three used car salesmen. But it's not just their diversity that sets them apart. To a man, they share a commitment to change that surpasses even the Republican Revolution of 1994.
The 112th Congress isn't Part Two of the Republican Revolution, but the beginning of a more principled Conservative Coup. And since this will be the largest incoming freshman class since 1939, these 85 new Repu blicans (who make up at least a third of their party's caucus) deserve to be heard. When the leadership debates the make-up of committees, waivers for old guard chairmen, and agenda items for 2011, they would be wise to listen to this new army of conservatives, who were sent here on orders from the American people. They should be put on committees where transformation is needed--like House Energy and Commerce or Appropriations--and have a voice on all committees equal to their size. These new members are the future. And the future is now. (Family Research Council)
Meanwhile . . . Back at Mecca . . .
Death to America and Israel' Slogans at Muslim Hajj Pilgrimage
Tens of thousands of Muslims chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" at the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which the Ayatollah of Iran called "a symbol of spirituality." The Arab Ahlul Bayt News Agency reported, "The pilgrims chanted anti-US and anti-Zionist slogans during the ceremony, also attended by the Supreme Leader's representative for Hajj affairs, Hojatoleslam Ali Qazi-Asgar. "God is the Greatest", "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" were among slogans chanted by the masses in unison as they gathered in the Desert of Arafat near Mecca, where more than 2 million Muslims have gathered. (Israel National News) Read more.
The Good News Corner:
Congressman Drops Election Complaint Against Pro-Life Group
The Ohio Elections Commission announced today that defeated U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-Ohio, withdrew his election complaint against the Susan B. Anthony (SBA List) -- a national, pro-life advocacy organization that seeks to affect public policy.
Driehaus claimed that SBA List falsely accused him of voting for taxpayer funding of abortion when he cast his vote for President Obama's health care law.
The three-member commission panel said it found probable cause to investigate the charges and scheduled a Dec. 2 hearing. With Driehaus' withdrawal, the case likely will be dismissed.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president and CEO of SBA List, said that today's announcement is a bittersweet victory.
"Despite his efforts, Rep. Driehaus could not avoid facing the consequences of his health care vote at the ballot box," she said. "On Election Day, Driehaus' constituents sent a clear message by siding with the SBA List and voting him out of office."
Dannenfelser added that they will continue to pursue a federal lawsuit challenging the state's law.
"We remain gravely concerned," she said, "that the statute allowing Rep. Driehaus to launch his complaint . . . can be used to silence free speech again." (CitizenLink)
Worship with Us Today!
"Be Lifted High" Sung by Michael W. Smith
Yes, LORD!
