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The Daily Brief - Thursday, October 20, 2011
"Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth." (Revelation 3:10)
The Daily Brief
1. A captured Gadhafi, bloodied and dazed - NBC
Moammar Gadhafi, the man who ruled Libya with a dictatorial grip for 42 years, was seen on Arab television pinned against a car, being struck on the head with a pistol while a group of fighters manhandled him.
Video footage showed Gadhafi, dazed and bloodied but still clearly alive and gesturing with his hands as he was dragged from a truck by jostling government soldiers who hit him and pulled his hair.
He then appeared to fall to the ground and was enveloped by the crowd. NTC officials later announced Gadhafi had died of his wounds after capture.
- Evil shall cause the death of the wicked; and they who hate the just and righteous shall be held guilty and shall be condemned. (Psalm 34:21)
2. Pakistani Military Chief Warns US Against Unilateral Military Action - VOA
Pakistan is under pressure from the United States to launch a full-scale military offensive in the North Waziristan region to uproot bases linked to the militant Haqqani network that Washington says are fueling the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. U.S. military commanders also allege that the ISI, the Pakistani military's intelligence agency, is helping the insurgents stage deadly attacks on international forces in Afghanistan. Reports from Washington suggest that Islamabad's reluctance to go after the insurgents in Pakistan's North Waziristan could prompt a unilateral U.S. military offensive there.
But speaking before a closed-door meeting of members of the parliament's defense committees Tuesday night, Army Chief General Asfhaq Parvez Kayani urged the United States to focus its efforts on stabilizing neighboring Afghanistan rather than pressuring his country to step up anti-militant operations.
• Heavenly Father, we pray against any further strife in the Pakistan area and against our involvement in anymore unnecessary wars. We will be so stretched and depleted that we will not be able to help Israel if a time comes when we need to help our ally. Let our leaders show wisdom and restraint. Get our troops out of all conflicts that we do not need to be engaged in.
• So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. (Joshua 10:24)
3. Rick Perry's Dangerous Muslim Compromise - World Net Daily
Apparently, the Christian community is not the only religious group that Perry has courted with success. While courting a voter block may be forgivable, what should concern conservatives are two cooperative agreements that Perry spearheaded between the state of Texas and Ismaili Nizari organizations in 2008 and 2009. The first agreement in 2008 was a "wide-ranging" program designed to indoctrinate Texas children about Islam and Islamic culture.
According to Salon.com, "Perry brokered a partnership between the University of Texas and Al-Husayni's Aga Khan University in Pakistan for the purpose of expanding cooperation on programs including the Muslim Histories and Culture Project," or MHCP. The purpose of the MHCP is to train high-school teachers on the positive aspects of Muslim history and culture. Perry's naive support for this program is disturbing, to say the least. At the signing ceremony, Perry stated, "I have supported this program from the very beginning, because we must bridge the gap of understanding between East and West if we ever hope to experience a future of peace and prosperity."
• We thank you Lord, that revelation is coming forth on where these candidates stand on the issues. Let truth come out without attacks and rancor about the candidates of all parties. We pray for the candidate that you want to rise up above all the others. We pray it will be a conservative Christian who has your favor and the favor of the people.
• The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. A man will be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.(Proverbs 12: 7,8)
4. Fiery Biden Mocks Republicans in Jobs Bill Push - Fox News
Senate Democrats, together with the White House, have sliced off a piece of President Obama's larger jobs bill, which failed in the Senate, pulling together a $35 billion piece of legislation that rehires and retains teachers and first responders. A vote is expected this week. One problem for Republicans, though, it's paid for with a half-percent surtax on those making more than $1 million, but Biden openly mocked GOP opposition to the provision.
"This isn't about engaging in - what do they call it?" Biden jokingly asked his adoring audience, many of whom shouted back, "Class warfare!" Biden sarcastically added, "Yo, richie! This is bizarre. I mean really."
Republicans also made it clear they found Democrats' behavior bizarre. "What's going on is that Democrats are obsessed for some reason with raising taxes. And the mud just kept flying, a sure sign that lawmakers are feeling the heat of the 2012 election, with the balance of power in the Senate up for grabs.
• Lord, we pray against these mocking spirits and personal attacks from those who are running in this election. We pray that everyone will act with decorum and treat other with respect. Let our campaign season not be filled with negative hateful talks, or ads. Let them be positive and filled with your truth!
• Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. (Proverbs 22:10)
5. Government Triples Money Recovered from Medicaid Scams - USA Today
Much of the money comes as the Obama administration, with bipartisan help in Congress, has increased spending on anti-fraud programs. Recent examples include a requirement in last year's health care law for electronic records systems for all medical professionals who provide health care for Medicaid and Medicare patients, as well as a proposed rule released on the Federal Register Oct. 6 requiring state MFCUs to better monitor their activities to show they are effective.
Many of the data analysis techniques used to find Medicare fraud are being expanded to Medicaid, says Alper Ozinal, spokesman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). For example, the agency has sent more resources to high-fraud states, such as Florida and Texas, to help with investigations.
• We thank you Lord, that our government is actively going after those who are doing Medicaid fraud. We pray that welfare fraud will also be another area that the government reins in. We pray that the health care law for electronic records systems will not be used in a corrupt way by either the health profession or our government against people at any time.
• My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause. (Proverb 1:10, 11)
6. Medicare Costs to Reduce Social Security Increase - Yahoo
That didn't last long. About 55 million Social Security recipients will get their first increase in benefits next year since 2009 - a 3.6 percent raise. But higher Medicare premiums could erase part of it. For some, higher Medicare Part B premiums could wipe out as much as a fourth of their raise from Social Security, according to projections by the trustees who oversee the programs. Medicare is expected to announce 2012 Part B premiums as early as next week. The premiums, which cover doctor visits, are deducted automatically from monthly Social Security payments.
"Unfortunately," AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond said, "the increase announced (Wednesday) will not completely ease their burden. Medicare premiums are also expected to rise for many. And with the decline in housing values, deep losses to retirement and savings accounts, and skyrocketing health and prescription drug costs, millions of older Americans continue to struggle to make ends meet."
• Lord, for many American retirees, Social Security is their only source of income to help them meet their bills. Because of ill health, job, or family problems, and low wages,they did not have money for their retirement. We pray that You will give us wisdom on how we can help them with compassion in their most frail and critical years. Make their money stretch like the fishes and loaves.
• Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. (Proverbs 21:13) He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. (Proverbs 14:31)
7. GOP Lawmakers Challenge White House on 'Scientific Misconduct' - Fox News
Several Republican lawmakers are challenging the Obama administration's science czar over what they claim are repeat incidents of "scientific misconduct" among agencies, questioning whether officials who deal with everything from endangered species to nuclear waste are using "sound science."
One concerned controversy over a temporary deepwater drilling moratorium was issued in May 2010. In the announcement, the Interior Department said the report's recommendations had been "peer-reviewed" by experts with the National Academy of Engineering. But those experts later complained, saying the moratorium was not among their approved recommendations - this led to an apology from Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. The GOP lawmakers, though, said the incident shows "blatant political influence" in the decision making.
• Heavenly Father, we know that corrupt ways are displeasing to You, so we pray that You will block these decisions which are based on politics. We pray for officials in all areas of government to be of the highest moral ethics and actions. Remove all who are not otherwise.
• 'For among My people are found wicked men; They lie in wait as one who sets snares; They set a trap; They catch men. (Jeremiah 5:26)
8. Bill Would Give U.S. Visas to Foreign Home Buyers - Wall Street Journal
The reeling housing market has come to this: To shore it up, two Senators are preparing to introduce a bipartisan bill Thursday that would give residence visas to foreigners who spend at least $500,000 to buy houses in the U.S. The provision is part of a larger package of immigration measures, co-authored by Sens. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Mike Lee (R., Utah), designed to spur more foreign investment in the U.S. To fuel this demand, the proposed measure would offer visas to any foreigner making a cash investment of at least $500,000 on residential real-estate - a single-family house, condo or townhouse. Applicants can spend the entire amount on one house or spend as little as $250,000 on a residence and invest the rest in other residential real estate, which can be rented out.
But other industry executives greeted the proposal with skepticism. Foreign buyers "don't need an incentive" to buy homes, said Richard Smith, chief executive of Realogy Corp., which owns the Coldwell Banker and Century 21 real-estate brands. "We have a lot of Americans who are willing to buy. We just have to fix the economy."
• Lord, while people are trying to come up with ideas to help the economy, some of them might not be good ones. In this proposal, it might be easy for terrorists to have an easier way to enter America without detection. We pray that only ideas directly from You will be implemented. Block all of these ideas that are not of You. Help us be alert to various ways that terrorists can enter our nation and attack us.
• For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you. (Deuteronomy 23:14)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, "Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!" But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not know his plan," (Micah 4:11-12a)
1. UN could vote on Palestinian bid on November 11 - UK Telegraph
The UN Security Council could vote as early as November 11 on whether to grant the Palestinians full UN membership as a state, according to a Western diplomat.
2. Diplomatic sources: Shalit deal hurt chances of renewing Israel-Palestinian talks - Ha'aretz
The prisoner exchange deal reached between Israel and Hamas has hurt the chances that peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, diplomatic sources in New York said following the release of Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.
3. Blair: Middle East Quartet to press Israelis, Palestinians for border proposals - Ha'aretz
International mediators will press Israel and Palestinians to table their ideas on security arrangements and the borders for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict within three months, envoy Tony Blair said on Wednesday.
The Daily Jot
Of inalienable rights and leviathan government
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in its Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition that "With about 2.0 million civilian employees, the Federal Government, excluding the Postal Service, is the Nation's largest employer." Additionally, it uses the US Constitution to justify its position: "The Federal Government was established by the Constitution to provide services to the public. While these services vary considerably, all are designed to improve the lives of the United States population, as well as people around the world." Now, according to Bloomberg and the US Census Bureau, total compensation for federal workers averaged $126,369 last year and Washington DC is now the richest place in the nation.
This is no way intended to disparage those who work for the government. The trend, however, of government to continue to grow and create more debt on behalf of taxpayers should be alarming to every freedom-loving American. The encroachment of government on everybody's lives means that with more services, there is more indebtedness--both personally for those who are dependent on the services, and collectively for those paying for them. The Constitutional guarantee of inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is threatened by every dimension of government expansion because more government means more government intrusion and control over these liberties.
At what point does the government begin to replace God as the sole source of needs provision? At what point is God and man's obligation to God no longer perceived by society as a central foundation for a fulfilling life? Communism, in its manifesto, intends to abolish all truth and all religion, supplanting the government for God. It does so by taking control of the citizens through a progressive income tax, abolishing property ownership (ie, if you don't pay your property taxes, the government can seize your property--ultimately, the government owns your property and you are leasing it through your taxes), brainwashing the youth through government schools--get the picture?
America was blessed with a Constitution that limited government through enumerated powers, affording citizens the right to exercise complete religious freedom. God the Provider through man's enterprise. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"--meaning your needs. The danger in the government being the biggest employer and altering the meaning of the Constitution as justification is the replacement of God in people's lives. Government becomes God. Unfortunately, another communist decree--separation of church and state--has taken root along with government growth. Change is needed, and Christians must lead it, otherwise we all will lose our rights to the great leviathan government.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
