In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Video Report on Marriage Hearing
• Reid Forces Gaming Vote
• TOP STORY!
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, December 9, 2010
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8)
The Daily Brief
1. ALERT!! Senate Blocks Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' - Fox News
Republicans blocked a last-ditch effort in the Senate to lift the military's ban on openly gay troops on Thursday, dealing a major blow to gay rights groups and making it unlikely Congress could repeal "don't ask, don't tell" any time soon.
The 57-40 vote fell three short of the 60 needed to overcome procedural hurdles to lift the 17-year-old ban. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the lone Republican voting to advance the bill, and Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was the only Democrat to vote against it.
Repeal advocates said the fight wasn't over, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid seemed to have little appetite to return to the subject with only a week left in the lame-duck session and other major legislation pending. Gay rights advocates were furious because the Senate vote failed largely because of a procedural disagreement. Read more.
- Lord we rejoice that it appears Don't Ask, Don't Tell will stand. We pray that You will move mightily over Congress and the military, drawing those who do not know You. We pray for Your mercy to cover our troops; and for those gay men and women who serve among them, we ask for salvation and the knowledge of Your love to change their hearts.
- "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Them you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:11,12)
2. DREAM Act Appears Dead after Senate Dems Pull it from Consideration - CNN
Senate Democrats conceded Thursday they don't have the votes to pass the DREAM Act, a bill that would have offered a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants who entered the United States as children. Democrats voted to pull the measure from consideration on Thursday. That likely kills any chance of passage this year for the hotly contested bill, Senate supporters say.
- Thank You, Lord, for this short term victory! We ask that wisdom be deployed in the next Congress to weigh the provisions of this bill and defeat permanently every portion that endangers America.
- "I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, O Lord I will sing praises." (Psalm 101:1)
3. House Democrats Defy Obama on Tax Cut Bill - CNN
Defying President Obama, House Democrats voted Thursday not to bring up the tax package that he negotiated with Republicans in its current form.
"This message today is very simple: That in the form that it was negotiated, it is not acceptable to the House Democratic caucus. It's as simple as that," said Democratic Congressman Chris Van Hollen.
"We will continue to try and work with the White House and our Republican colleagues to try and make sure we do something right for the economy and right for jobs, and a balanced package as we go forward," he said.
The vote comes a day after Vice President Biden made clear to House Democrats behind closed doors that the deal would unravel if any changes were made.
- Lord, You know what horrific disasters would occur for hundreds of thousands of Americans if theTax cuts are allowed to expire. We pray for Your mercy on the American people. We pray for Your forgiveness over a Congress that does not have the people's best interests in mind. We humbly ask Your help to bring about a fair and equitable solution to this situation.
- "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so." (Proverbs 3:27)
4. Thousands of Angry Students Protest in London Ahead of Tuition Increase Vote - Reuters
Police with riot shields and batons pushed angry student protesters away from London's Parliament Square on Thursday as lawmakers debated a controversial plan to triple university tuition fees in England.
Thousands of students held demonstrations and sit-ins throughout the country, heaping pressure on the government to reverse course.
- Lord we ask for a release of Your wisdom to England's lawmakers so that they will revisit their ideas for debt relief and choose ways that will not create instant disaster for portions of their nation.
- "It is a joy for the just to do justice . . ." (Proverbs 21:15a)
5. Dissolve the Palestinian Authority? - Fox News
The U.S. failure to persuade Israel to renew a limited freeze on construction in West Bank settlements was the latest setback for the Obama administration in its mission to reach a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The goal of a Palestinian State, a top priority for the president, appears increasingly in doubt.
Early this week Abbas hinted that he is ready to dissolve the Palestinian Authority and let the Israelis remain "as an occupying power" to deal with two and a half million Palestinians in the West Bank and another troubling million and a half in the Gaza Strip.
- Lord, while the PA has used this tactic before in an attempt to force a settlement freeze, and it is not likely that Abbas will give up his power so quickly, we pray that You will block every attempt for him to accomplish this threat. Without a relatively moderate leader, the people will likely look to more dangerous terrorists to lead them.
- "Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in lust of uncleanness and despise authority." (2 Peter 2:9-10a)
6. a) Assange's 'poison pill' file impossible to stop, expert says - CNN
The Poison Pill. The Doomsday Files. Or simply, The Insurance. Whatever you call the file Julian Assange has threatened to release if he's imprisoned or dies or WikiLeaks is destroyed, it's impossible to stop.
b) Wikileaks: Stop Us? You'll Have to Shut Down the Web - ABC News
The arrest and detention of Julian Assange Tuesday on charges of rape and sexual assault was at the least a convenient development for government leaders who've sought ways to contain the leader of the controversial website Wikileaks.
c) Hackers Rise for WikiLeaks - Wall Street Journal
A growing list of organizations and individuals that have tangled with WikiLeaks and its detained founder, Julian Assange, have suffered online attacks, in what appears to be an effort by hackers bent on exacting revenge for the document-leaking website.
- Father, as the Wikileaks saga continues, we pray for Your intervention. While some of the things that have been leaks are revelations of our own government's backbiting and incompetence in foreign policy, many of the items have harmed US credibility abroad. We pray that every wicked plan of the enemy in play with Wikileaks will be dissolved and fall to the ground.
- "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
7. Uganda scrambling to identify new deadly disease - AFP
Uganda is working "around the clock" with international health experts to identify an unprecedented illness that has killed 38 people in the north of the country, an official told AFP on Wednesday.
- Lord we stand in the gap for the people of Uganda and pray for Your mercy over them. We bind this disease in the Name of Jesus and apply the cross of Christ to it. We ask for a move of Your Spirit in that region.
- "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance." (I Kings 8:35,36))
1. 'US House of Reps approves $200m for Iron Dome' - AFP
The US House of Representatives Wednesday voted to approve over $200 million to help the deployment of the Iron Dome missile defense system in Israel, AFP reported.
2. Israel strikes Gaza after overnight mortar attack - Ha'aretz
The IDF launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip early Thursday morning, hours after a mortar shell fired by militants wounded a man at an agricultural community close to the border, IDF officials said.
3. Syria to Iran: We won't attack Israel in retaliatory strike - Jerusalem Post
The Syrian leadership in Damascus told a senior Iranian delegation to Damascus last year that it would not assist Iran in retaliating to an Israeli strike against its nuclear facilities, according to an American diplomatic cable published on Wednesday by Wikileaks.
4. US: Decision to halt freeze talks recognition of reality - Ynet News
US Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell will head back to the region next week after Obama administration officials vowed on Wednesday to continue the push for peace despite a breakdown in direct negotiations.
5. Egypt: World should push toward establishment of Palestinian state - Ha'aretz
Major powers should push Israel and the Palestinians to agree a deadline for establishing an independent Palestinian state before a two-state solution becomes impossible to achieve, Egypt said on Wednesday.
6. Kinneret water levels expected to reach the black line - Ha'aretz
Despite predictions of an upcoming stormy weekend, Israel will probably have to manage its water economy with various reservoirs reaching the black line, at which point further pumping could cause permanent damage to the quality of Israel's water, according to the Mekorot water company.
7. PA official questions US ability to broker ME peace - Jerusalem Post
A top Palestinian Authority official on Wednesday questioned Washington's ability to forge Middle East peace after a new breakdown in American attempts to revive negotiations.
The Daily Jot
Fraternal affection vs divisive enemies--Today's political landscape
Quote one: "I've said before that I felt that the middle-class tax cuts were being held hostage to the high-end tax cuts. I think it's tempting not to negotiate with hostage-takers, unless the hostage gets harmed. Then people will question the wisdom of that strategy. In this case, the hostage was the American people and I was not willing to see them get harmed." Quote two: "If Latinos sit out the election instead of saying, 'We're gonna punish our enemies and we're gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us,' if they don't see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election, then I think it's gonna be harder and that's why I think it's so important that people focus on voting on November 2."
Hostage takers...punish our enemies...these are quotes from the same man that promised to unify America. But moreover, he promised to remake America. In a sense, to remake something, it must be torn down or torn apart first. It cannot be brought together before the pieces are apart. These are quotes where those who are fighting to keep the government from raising taxes are compared to hostage takers. In modern times, hostage takers are akin to terrorists. Therefore, those who are against tax increases are being insinuated as terrorists. Indeed, those who do not agree with securing the borders and illegal immigration are referred to enemies that should be punished on election day.
These are the quotes of the man who currently holds the office of president of the United States. The president is supposed to represent all American citizens and lead impartially with dignity and respect for all Americans. Yet political opponents are referred to as enemies and hostage takers. In April 2009, his administration released a report by the Department of Homeland Security that characterized as right wing extremists and possible terrorists those who are Christian, returning US soldiers, political supporters of movements like the TEA Party, and supporters of states' rights. Remaking America obviously does not necessarily include those who have differing viewpoints. America's political leadership is divisive.
President George Washington understood the pitfalls of putting party ideals ahead of the citizens. In his 1796 farewell address he said the spirit of "party" was divisive and undermines liberty. He said, "You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection." It is when we abandon these affections for one another that lawlessness prevails. It starts among us Christians--Jesus said in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." Let us unite again as a nation under the Love of Christ.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Video Report on Marriage Hearing
A day after attending a historic hearing at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, Bruce Hausknecht, CitizenLink's judicial analyst, returns to the studios to give a full report to Stuart Shepard, senior director of media, on our weekly video update.
Monday's hearing on California's marriage protection amendment --- which drew hundreds of spectators inside and more than 100 others who watched via closed circuit from a nearby courtroom --- focused on two pivotal issues: Do marriage advocates have the right to defend Proposition 8 in court? And is the amendment constitutional?
A ruling on Proposition 8 will come in the new year. Before it rules, the appeals court could ask the California Supreme Court for clarification on issues of state law. Many expect the issue eventually to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
Watch the video by going here.
Reid Forces Gaming Vote
Reid Gambles with Economy, Forces Gaming Vote
If Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) thought springing an Internet gambling bill on Congress would surprise people, he needs to work on his poker face. This morning, Politico broke the story that one of Vegas's favorite politicians is trying to squeeze through legislation that would overturn the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA)--combined with a massive expansion of federal taxation of the Internet. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, no member of Congress has received more money (over $1.72 million) from the gambling industry than the current Senate Majority Leader. Casino giant Harrah was so involved in Sen. Reid's race on Nov ember 2 that it instructed employees to vote for the Senator's reelection, earning Sen. Reid the moniker "Harrah Reid!" While nothing's certain in this lame duck environment, the odds aren't in the Leader's favor. But it does reveal a lot about the Reid's character if he would jeopardize the tax debate for campaign favors. (Family Research Council)
[Repeating our report and Prayer Request on this issue on Monday's edition of The Daily Brief. Thank you for your prayer of agreement that this bill will never pass this Senate.]
5. Reid pushes bill to allow for online gambling - AP
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pushing behind the scenes for lame-duck legislation that would allow poker games over the Internet but restrict initial licenses to casinos and racetrack operators that have been in business at least five years. Some of the biggest casino operators in Reid's home state of Nevada are eager to get a piece of the online gambling industry, which generates an estimated $5 billion a year for offshore operators.
• Are we surprised by this new move by Senator Reid? Some group got him re-elected, when, in fact, much of Nevada was disgusted by his leadership in the Senate. Pray that the bill never makes it to the floor of the Senate for a vote, that it is aborted and dies . Ask the Lord Jesus Himself to make Himself known to Senator Reid so that he can repent for all the unrighteous bills he has led to a vote in the Senate - the votes he pressured to passage. Make sure that you spread the news about this bill to your church and Christian acquaintances.
• "What I[Jesus] tell you in darkness, that shall you speak in light: and what you hear in the ear, preach that from the housetops." (Matthew 10:27)
TOP STORY!
Senate Republicans Keep 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
A few days after his first defeat on the issue, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., again failed today to gather the 60 votes needed to bring up legislation that would repeal the federal law on homosexuality in the military.
The Defense Authorization bill, which Congress traditionally passes before a lame-duck session ends, currently contains a repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" --- as well as an amendment that would allow abortions on military bases. The procedural vote was 57-40 --- not enough to bring the legislation to a floor vote. Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., did not vote.
"The U.S. Senate did not allow itself to be bullied into passing legislation that would be harmful to our military," said Elaine Donnelly, founder and president of the Center for Military Readiness. "This was not just a procedural vote, this was a substantive vote. It's time for Obama and his administration to let this issue go."
Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst at CitizenLink, said family advocates are to thank for the historic vote in the Senate.
"Today's vote was an absolute victory for family values," she said, "and it was due in large part to constituents all across the country who were calling in, saying, 'We don't want this to happen.'
FOR MORE INFORMATION
See how your senators voted. A "yea" vote was a vote FOR repealing "don't ask, don't tell."
(Source: CitizenLink)
- "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. PRAISE YE THE LORD!" (Psalm 150:6)
The Good News Corner
New Leadership in House Committees Will Be Family-Friendly
Some of the biggest friends of the family on Capitol Hill were appointed to important positions last night. Starting next January, Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) will be heading up the House Health Subcommittee, while Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) leads the Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) takes over the Republican Study Committee. Pro-life champion Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) will join Congressman Chris Smith (R-N.J.) as co-chair of the Pro-Life Caucus--which, after all the victories last month, looks to be one of the largest caucuses on the Hill. (Family Research Council)
- Offer a great chorus of PRAISE for the new leadership that will take control of the 112th Congress when it is sworn into Session on Thursday, January 6th. THIS IS AN ANSWER TO PRAYER!
- "For the eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer." (1 Peter 3:12)
Worship with Us Today!
On Eagle's Wings
You who dwell in the shadow of the Lord,
Who abide in His shelter for life
Say to the Lord, "My refuge . . .
My Rock, in Whom I trust."
And He will raise you up on Eagle's Wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand . . .
