• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Today's Legislative Focus
• Update: Obamacare
• "It's ObamaCare, Stupid"
• Obama signs 'end to free speech'
• Our choice: Impeachment or dictatorship
• The Daily Jot!
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Partners in Prayer for Our Nation"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Tuesday, March 13, 2012
"I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below . . . " (Acts 2:19a)
The Daily Brief
1. Ahmadinejad dismisses Western threats against Iran - Ha'aretz
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday expressed contempt for threats from the world's major powers over Iran's nuclear program.
- Lord, may contempt be turned to understanding. May wickedness be turned to righteousness. We pray that the Holy Spirit will bring revelation and understanding. In the name of Jesus we ask for the Holy Spirit to intervene. Amen.
- A fool has not delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. (Proverbs 18 2-3)
2. A) UN envoy holds second meeting with Syria's Assad, leaves with no deal - Fox News
An international push to end Syria's conflict stalled Sunday as U.N. envoy Kofi Annan left Damascus without a cease-fire and President Bashar Assad's forces pounded opposition areas and clashed with rebels throughout the country.
2. B) Report: US considering military intervention in Syria - Ynet News
The Obama administration and its allies and international partners have begun serious discussions about potential military involvement in Syria, the Washington Post reported on Sunday. On Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrovin in New York to secure Russian support for Western plans in Syria.
- Lord, we pray for godly wisdom to invade the Syria conflict, the people of Syria, and all who are working on solutions to the conflict. We pray protection for any of Your people in Syria, and for the innocent. Let right decisions be made, and many counselors consulted. May this administration take this matter to Congress before deciding any military action. In the name of Jesus, our Savior we pray. Amen.
- Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3 13-18)
3. US military unveils non-lethal heat ray weapon - AFP
A sensation of unbearable, sudden heat seems to come out of nowhere -- this wave, a strong electromagnetic beam, is the latest non-lethal weapon unveiled by the US military this week.
- Lord, we pray for wisdom in the use of this weapon, and weapons of war. In the name of Jesus, our Protector, we pray. Amen.
- Wisdom is better than weapons of war. (Ecclesiastes 9:18)
4. White House defends Obama energy policies after poll shows disapproval - The Hill
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar took to the White House briefing room Monday to defend President Obama's energy plan after a new poll suggested high gas prices are eroding the president's approval numbers. Salazar insisted that Obama is reviewing short- and long-term actions to lower gas prices, while also noting that there are no quick-fixes to the problem. "All options are on the table because the president obviously feels the pain that the American people are facing," Salazar said when asked if the administration would tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a 696-million barrel emergency oil stockpile. Monday's briefing is a strong indication of the White House's concern with high gas prices, which have emerged as a threat to the president's reelection.
- Lord, we pray for the energy policy to come into right alignment with Your will. Hear the cries of the people for leaders with godly wisdom to rise up. Give discernment, so that people recognize lies, deception, and corruption. May Your light dispel the darkness. We pray people will know who You would choose in the elections. In the name of Jesus, our Provider we pray. Amen
- Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of your laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back is fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. (James 5:1-4)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26)
1. Israeli official: Satellite images back our claims Iran is developing nuclear weapon - Ha'aretz
An Israeli official claims satellite images that raised suspicions Iran is trying to conceal a key nuclear test back Israel's concerns that Tehran is developing an atomic bomb.
2. Egypt's parliament wants Israel's ambassador out - Boston Globe
Egypt's Islamist-dominated parliament unanimously voted on Monday in support of expelling Israel's ambassador in Cairo and halting gas exports to the Jewish state.
3. PM discusses expanding operations in Gaza - Jerusalem Post
With the life-disrupting rocket fire on the South in its fourth day, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke for the first time Monday about expanding Israel's military operations inside the Gaza Strip.
4. Quartet issues bland statement on Gaza violence - Jerusalem Post
While the fighting in Gaza continued to rage Monday, the Quartet met at the UN, expressed "concern" over the violence, and -- regarding the diplomatic process -- called on the Israelis and Palestinians to "remain engaged" and "refrain from provocative actions." The term 'provocative action' is generally Quartet code for settlement construction.
5. More rockets fired at South despite cease-fire reports - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian terrorists continued to launch rockets and mortar shells at southern Israel early Tuesday morning despite a senior Egyptian security official saying that Israel and terrorist factions in the Gaza Strip had agreed to an Egyptian-brokered truce.
Today's Legislative Focus
From The Madison Project
www.madisonproject.com
House GOP leader calls for US to reject $37B IMF loan to Greece
It's not enough that we are forced to bail out our own entitlement programs and institutions. We have already extended $108 billion to the International Monetary Fund to bailout socialist European countries. Now they are asking for another $37 billion. Republican Conference Vice Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers is introducing legislation to rescind the previous IMF loan and to end all future bailouts of European nations and banks.
Update: Obamacare
Lawmakers Move to Repeal Health-Rationing Measure
A bill to repeal a little-known provision of the new federal health care law known as ObamaCare is working its way toward a floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, March 6, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, by voice vote passed the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act (H.R. 452), which would eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a group of up to 18 unelected bureaucrats that the law empowers to make health care decisions for millions of Americans. The House Ways and Means Committee will conduct a markup of the bill on Thursday.
Under ObamaCare, IPAB is tasked with keeping Medicare health care costs down. However, critics, including the National Right to Life Committee, are concerned that the way the law is written means it gives the board even broader powers, including limiting the amount of money consumers can spend on their own health care. If a procedure costs more than the allowable limit, IPAB may have the power to deny it - even if individuals are able and willing to pay for it from their own pockets. And doctors who defy IPAB to treat their patients could be penalized. (CitizenLink)
- Pray for passage of this bill in the full Congress, and then in the Senate. Next, pray that the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act (H.R. 452) would be signed into law by the president. Pray for a miracle. Pray!
- "And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' (Luke 18:6-8)
"It's ObamaCare, Stupid"
Voters are clearly concerned about the economy and upset by high gas prices too. But ObamaCare could be the issue that costs Obama his job!
A recent academic study found that support for ObamaCare cost House Democrats roughly six points at the ballot box. More than the stimulus or cap and trade, ObamaCare was responsible for the Democrats' historic defeat and loss of 66 House seats in the 2010 elections.
The passage of time has not healed the Democrats' wounds. Last month a Gallup survey found that 72% of Americans -- and even 56% of Democrats -- felt that ObamaCare's individual mandate was unconstitutional. And the latest Rasmussen poll finds that likely voters still favor repealing ObamaCare by a double-digit margin of 53% to 42%.
These are horrible numbers for the president's signature accomplishment, which bears his name. But as some in the GOP seek to make the campaign all about the economy, are they giving up our most potent issue against Barack Obama in the fall campaign?
That was the question asked last week by the Wall Street Journal's Daniel Henninger. In a column entitled "It's Obamacare, Stupid," our friends at The Weekly Standard pick up the theme this week. Consider this excerpt:
". . . the more Obamacare becomes an issue in the fall, the more it will highlight Obama's liberalism in the minds of voters -- particularly independent voters. It correspondingly suggests that the more this election is focused simply on stewardship of the economy, the less Obama's big-government liberalism will be highlighted in voters' minds."
"In other words, should Mitt Romney win the Republican presidential nomination, he could surely run (and has given every indication that he would run) as a centrist who's focused on the economy. But by choosing to de-emphasize Obamacare, he would allow Obama to come across as more of a centrist as well. This would effectively take the GOP's best issue off the table. What's more, no issue will more starkly highlight the differences between the parties than Obamacare. Voters know that if Obama is reelected, Obamacare is here to stay. If the Republican wins, there is at least a very good shot at repeal . . ."
Obama signs 'end to free speech'
In a terse online statement, the White House has confirmed that Hussein Obama has signed into law an update of restrictions around the White House, the vice president's resident and other locations - a move critics say signals the "end to free speech."
The White House said yesterday Obama "signed into law: H.R. 347, the 'Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011,' which makes it a federal crime to enter or remain knowingly in any restricted area of the White House, the vice president's official residence, or their respective grounds without lawful authority."
The critics say there's more to the bill than that.
John Whitehead, president of the the Rutherford Institute, explained the plan came about as a knee-jerk reaction to a crazed assailant's attack on U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., a year ago.
"The bill's language is so overly broad as to put an end to free speech, political protest and the right to peaceably assembly in all areas where government officials happen to be present," he wrote.
Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., said it was something he could not support. . .
At the Examiner, Philadelphia columnist Tim McCown concluded: "Defenders and apologists for mainly Democrats and Obama supporters claim this act is completely innocent and all of us who believe differently have drunk Ron Paul's Kool-Aid again. But a post on George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley's blog page notes that the imprecise language, just as in the NDAA, creates risks and can most definitely be seen as a threat to our First Amendment right to Free Speech, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom to Petition our government. None of that is very comforting in light of the Patriot Act and surveillance of and wire tapping of Americans."
He continued, "Tonight you no longer need to be a conspiracy theorist to have real questions about whether we are becoming a police state. . . " (WorldNetDaily) Read more.
Our choice: Impeachment or dictatorship
Tom Tancredo urges House to begin proceedings against Obama ASAP
Tom Tancredo, a former five-term congressman and presidential candidate speaks out about Obama's unconstitutional presidency.
"Almost every week brings a new reason for the United States House of Representatives to bring impeachment charges against President Obama. The question of the day is not why he should be impeached but why it hasn't already been done."
This week it was Secretary of Defense Panetta's declaration before the Senate Armed Services Committee that he and President Obama look not to the Congress for authorization to bomb Syria but to NATO and the United Nations. This led to Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., introducing an official resolution calling for impeachment should Obama take offensive action based on Panetta's policy statement, because it would violate the Constitution.
"Have Obama's actions met the constitutional standard for impeachment? Absolutely, yes.
Unless the House of Representatives acts to begin impeachment proceedings against this bold usurper, we are headed for dictatorship. Either the Constitution limits the president's powers or it does not. If it does, Obama must be impeached for his actions. If not, then a dictatorship is not only inevitable, it will be upon us soon." (WorldNetDaily) Read more.
[Reported by The Embassy for World Peace]
- "Let his days be few, and let another take his office." (Psalm 109:8)
The Daily Jot!
Iran, Hudaybiyyah, and the prophecy of war
There will be no ultimate peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff. From early in the turn of the century, Iran has been cooperative just enough to prevent firm opposition while developing its nuclear program. Since it is a member of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with the United Nations, UN inspectors were supposed to have access to Iran's nuclear developments. This, however, was based on a cat and mouse game that Iran played by not allowing inspectors, then allowing them restricted access, and so on. Iran also had on its side the Islamic UN inspector, Mohamed ElBaradei, who continuously said he saw no evidence of a nuclear weapons program. This is modeled after an ancient Muslim treaty . . . (Read more here)
The Good News Corner:
Heavy Snow in Jerusalem
Reflecting the unusual, but welcome, heavy rains this winter, Jerusalem was, for a short time, turned into a snow-covered winter wonderland as the temperature dropped. Already Friday four centimeters of snow fell on the capital. For a while the city came to a standstill and public transport came to a halt. Early in the day the snow began to fall and the Jerusalem Municipality set in motion a snow clearing program to get the city's transport moving again.
This winter has seen one of the most bounteous amounts of rain falling over the country for many years. The significant rainfall has dramatically affected the level of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). At the start of the winter the water level of the lake had fallen to about seventy centimeters below what is termed, 'the Lower Red Line'. This is a level of 213 meters below sea level. At the beginning of the winter rain season, there was thought to be little chance of making up the water deficit.
Progressively, since March 2004 when the lake was technically 'full' at just over -209 meters below sea level, the water level has increasingly fallen. By October 2008 the level was more than a meter below the Lower Red Line. The water level had passed this critical line four months earlier. Last year even at the end of the 2010/2011 winter rainy season the lake was about 3.5 meters below its normal level. Today the lake is 212 meters below sea level.
It is unlikely to make up the almost four meter shortfall this winter, but with the continuing rain and melting snow on the Golan the water authority expect a big improvement in the lake's water level in the next few months.
There is cautious optimism that the water level of the lake will never be allowed to reach the danger levels of the past four years. This is because less fresh water will be taken from the Kinneret in future years due to the rapid increase in the desalination of sea water. (Bridges for Peace)
- Thank God for the abundance of rain and the gift of a snowfall. Pray that God sends enough rain to fill the Sea of Galilee and for a good supply of water for the coming summer.
- "God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength." (Job 37:5-6)
Worship with Us Today!
"Shelter Me"- Selah
The earth can shake the sky come down
The mountains all fall to the ground
But I will fear none of these things
Shelter me Lord underneath your wings
Go here:
• The Middle East in Focus
• Today's Legislative Focus
• Update: Obamacare
• "It's ObamaCare, Stupid"
• Obama signs 'end to free speech'
• Our choice: Impeachment or dictatorship
• The Daily Jot!
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Partners in Prayer for Our Nation"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Tuesday, March 13, 2012
"I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below . . . " (Acts 2:19a)
The Daily Brief
1. Ahmadinejad dismisses Western threats against Iran - Ha'aretz
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday expressed contempt for threats from the world's major powers over Iran's nuclear program.
- Lord, may contempt be turned to understanding. May wickedness be turned to righteousness. We pray that the Holy Spirit will bring revelation and understanding. In the name of Jesus we ask for the Holy Spirit to intervene. Amen.
- A fool has not delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. (Proverbs 18 2-3)
2. A) UN envoy holds second meeting with Syria's Assad, leaves with no deal - Fox News
An international push to end Syria's conflict stalled Sunday as U.N. envoy Kofi Annan left Damascus without a cease-fire and President Bashar Assad's forces pounded opposition areas and clashed with rebels throughout the country.
2. B) Report: US considering military intervention in Syria - Ynet News
The Obama administration and its allies and international partners have begun serious discussions about potential military involvement in Syria, the Washington Post reported on Sunday. On Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrovin in New York to secure Russian support for Western plans in Syria.
- Lord, we pray for godly wisdom to invade the Syria conflict, the people of Syria, and all who are working on solutions to the conflict. We pray protection for any of Your people in Syria, and for the innocent. Let right decisions be made, and many counselors consulted. May this administration take this matter to Congress before deciding any military action. In the name of Jesus, our Savior we pray. Amen.
- Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3 13-18)
3. US military unveils non-lethal heat ray weapon - AFP
A sensation of unbearable, sudden heat seems to come out of nowhere -- this wave, a strong electromagnetic beam, is the latest non-lethal weapon unveiled by the US military this week.
- Lord, we pray for wisdom in the use of this weapon, and weapons of war. In the name of Jesus, our Protector, we pray. Amen.
- Wisdom is better than weapons of war. (Ecclesiastes 9:18)
4. White House defends Obama energy policies after poll shows disapproval - The Hill
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar took to the White House briefing room Monday to defend President Obama's energy plan after a new poll suggested high gas prices are eroding the president's approval numbers. Salazar insisted that Obama is reviewing short- and long-term actions to lower gas prices, while also noting that there are no quick-fixes to the problem. "All options are on the table because the president obviously feels the pain that the American people are facing," Salazar said when asked if the administration would tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a 696-million barrel emergency oil stockpile. Monday's briefing is a strong indication of the White House's concern with high gas prices, which have emerged as a threat to the president's reelection.
- Lord, we pray for the energy policy to come into right alignment with Your will. Hear the cries of the people for leaders with godly wisdom to rise up. Give discernment, so that people recognize lies, deception, and corruption. May Your light dispel the darkness. We pray people will know who You would choose in the elections. In the name of Jesus, our Provider we pray. Amen
- Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of your laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back is fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. (James 5:1-4)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26)
1. Israeli official: Satellite images back our claims Iran is developing nuclear weapon - Ha'aretz
An Israeli official claims satellite images that raised suspicions Iran is trying to conceal a key nuclear test back Israel's concerns that Tehran is developing an atomic bomb.
2. Egypt's parliament wants Israel's ambassador out - Boston Globe
Egypt's Islamist-dominated parliament unanimously voted on Monday in support of expelling Israel's ambassador in Cairo and halting gas exports to the Jewish state.
3. PM discusses expanding operations in Gaza - Jerusalem Post
With the life-disrupting rocket fire on the South in its fourth day, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke for the first time Monday about expanding Israel's military operations inside the Gaza Strip.
4. Quartet issues bland statement on Gaza violence - Jerusalem Post
While the fighting in Gaza continued to rage Monday, the Quartet met at the UN, expressed "concern" over the violence, and -- regarding the diplomatic process -- called on the Israelis and Palestinians to "remain engaged" and "refrain from provocative actions." The term 'provocative action' is generally Quartet code for settlement construction.
5. More rockets fired at South despite cease-fire reports - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian terrorists continued to launch rockets and mortar shells at southern Israel early Tuesday morning despite a senior Egyptian security official saying that Israel and terrorist factions in the Gaza Strip had agreed to an Egyptian-brokered truce.
Today's Legislative Focus
From The Madison Project
www.madisonproject.com
House GOP leader calls for US to reject $37B IMF loan to Greece
It's not enough that we are forced to bail out our own entitlement programs and institutions. We have already extended $108 billion to the International Monetary Fund to bailout socialist European countries. Now they are asking for another $37 billion. Republican Conference Vice Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers is introducing legislation to rescind the previous IMF loan and to end all future bailouts of European nations and banks.
Update: Obamacare
Lawmakers Move to Repeal Health-Rationing Measure
A bill to repeal a little-known provision of the new federal health care law known as ObamaCare is working its way toward a floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, March 6, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, by voice vote passed the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act (H.R. 452), which would eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a group of up to 18 unelected bureaucrats that the law empowers to make health care decisions for millions of Americans. The House Ways and Means Committee will conduct a markup of the bill on Thursday.
Under ObamaCare, IPAB is tasked with keeping Medicare health care costs down. However, critics, including the National Right to Life Committee, are concerned that the way the law is written means it gives the board even broader powers, including limiting the amount of money consumers can spend on their own health care. If a procedure costs more than the allowable limit, IPAB may have the power to deny it - even if individuals are able and willing to pay for it from their own pockets. And doctors who defy IPAB to treat their patients could be penalized. (CitizenLink)
- Pray for passage of this bill in the full Congress, and then in the Senate. Next, pray that the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act (H.R. 452) would be signed into law by the president. Pray for a miracle. Pray!
- "And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' (Luke 18:6-8)
"It's ObamaCare, Stupid"
Voters are clearly concerned about the economy and upset by high gas prices too. But ObamaCare could be the issue that costs Obama his job!
A recent academic study found that support for ObamaCare cost House Democrats roughly six points at the ballot box. More than the stimulus or cap and trade, ObamaCare was responsible for the Democrats' historic defeat and loss of 66 House seats in the 2010 elections.
The passage of time has not healed the Democrats' wounds. Last month a Gallup survey found that 72% of Americans -- and even 56% of Democrats -- felt that ObamaCare's individual mandate was unconstitutional. And the latest Rasmussen poll finds that likely voters still favor repealing ObamaCare by a double-digit margin of 53% to 42%.
These are horrible numbers for the president's signature accomplishment, which bears his name. But as some in the GOP seek to make the campaign all about the economy, are they giving up our most potent issue against Barack Obama in the fall campaign?
That was the question asked last week by the Wall Street Journal's Daniel Henninger. In a column entitled "It's Obamacare, Stupid," our friends at The Weekly Standard pick up the theme this week. Consider this excerpt:
". . . the more Obamacare becomes an issue in the fall, the more it will highlight Obama's liberalism in the minds of voters -- particularly independent voters. It correspondingly suggests that the more this election is focused simply on stewardship of the economy, the less Obama's big-government liberalism will be highlighted in voters' minds."
"In other words, should Mitt Romney win the Republican presidential nomination, he could surely run (and has given every indication that he would run) as a centrist who's focused on the economy. But by choosing to de-emphasize Obamacare, he would allow Obama to come across as more of a centrist as well. This would effectively take the GOP's best issue off the table. What's more, no issue will more starkly highlight the differences between the parties than Obamacare. Voters know that if Obama is reelected, Obamacare is here to stay. If the Republican wins, there is at least a very good shot at repeal . . ."
Obama signs 'end to free speech'
In a terse online statement, the White House has confirmed that Hussein Obama has signed into law an update of restrictions around the White House, the vice president's resident and other locations - a move critics say signals the "end to free speech."
The White House said yesterday Obama "signed into law: H.R. 347, the 'Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011,' which makes it a federal crime to enter or remain knowingly in any restricted area of the White House, the vice president's official residence, or their respective grounds without lawful authority."
The critics say there's more to the bill than that.
John Whitehead, president of the the Rutherford Institute, explained the plan came about as a knee-jerk reaction to a crazed assailant's attack on U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., a year ago.
"The bill's language is so overly broad as to put an end to free speech, political protest and the right to peaceably assembly in all areas where government officials happen to be present," he wrote.
Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., said it was something he could not support. . .
At the Examiner, Philadelphia columnist Tim McCown concluded: "Defenders and apologists for mainly Democrats and Obama supporters claim this act is completely innocent and all of us who believe differently have drunk Ron Paul's Kool-Aid again. But a post on George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley's blog page notes that the imprecise language, just as in the NDAA, creates risks and can most definitely be seen as a threat to our First Amendment right to Free Speech, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom to Petition our government. None of that is very comforting in light of the Patriot Act and surveillance of and wire tapping of Americans."
He continued, "Tonight you no longer need to be a conspiracy theorist to have real questions about whether we are becoming a police state. . . " (WorldNetDaily) Read more.
Our choice: Impeachment or dictatorship
Tom Tancredo urges House to begin proceedings against Obama ASAP
Tom Tancredo, a former five-term congressman and presidential candidate speaks out about Obama's unconstitutional presidency.
"Almost every week brings a new reason for the United States House of Representatives to bring impeachment charges against President Obama. The question of the day is not why he should be impeached but why it hasn't already been done."
This week it was Secretary of Defense Panetta's declaration before the Senate Armed Services Committee that he and President Obama look not to the Congress for authorization to bomb Syria but to NATO and the United Nations. This led to Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., introducing an official resolution calling for impeachment should Obama take offensive action based on Panetta's policy statement, because it would violate the Constitution.
"Have Obama's actions met the constitutional standard for impeachment? Absolutely, yes.
Unless the House of Representatives acts to begin impeachment proceedings against this bold usurper, we are headed for dictatorship. Either the Constitution limits the president's powers or it does not. If it does, Obama must be impeached for his actions. If not, then a dictatorship is not only inevitable, it will be upon us soon." (WorldNetDaily) Read more.
[Reported by The Embassy for World Peace]
- "Let his days be few, and let another take his office." (Psalm 109:8)
The Daily Jot!
Iran, Hudaybiyyah, and the prophecy of war
There will be no ultimate peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff. From early in the turn of the century, Iran has been cooperative just enough to prevent firm opposition while developing its nuclear program. Since it is a member of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with the United Nations, UN inspectors were supposed to have access to Iran's nuclear developments. This, however, was based on a cat and mouse game that Iran played by not allowing inspectors, then allowing them restricted access, and so on. Iran also had on its side the Islamic UN inspector, Mohamed ElBaradei, who continuously said he saw no evidence of a nuclear weapons program. This is modeled after an ancient Muslim treaty . . . (Read more here)
The Good News Corner:
Heavy Snow in Jerusalem
Reflecting the unusual, but welcome, heavy rains this winter, Jerusalem was, for a short time, turned into a snow-covered winter wonderland as the temperature dropped. Already Friday four centimeters of snow fell on the capital. For a while the city came to a standstill and public transport came to a halt. Early in the day the snow began to fall and the Jerusalem Municipality set in motion a snow clearing program to get the city's transport moving again.
This winter has seen one of the most bounteous amounts of rain falling over the country for many years. The significant rainfall has dramatically affected the level of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). At the start of the winter the water level of the lake had fallen to about seventy centimeters below what is termed, 'the Lower Red Line'. This is a level of 213 meters below sea level. At the beginning of the winter rain season, there was thought to be little chance of making up the water deficit.
Progressively, since March 2004 when the lake was technically 'full' at just over -209 meters below sea level, the water level has increasingly fallen. By October 2008 the level was more than a meter below the Lower Red Line. The water level had passed this critical line four months earlier. Last year even at the end of the 2010/2011 winter rainy season the lake was about 3.5 meters below its normal level. Today the lake is 212 meters below sea level.
It is unlikely to make up the almost four meter shortfall this winter, but with the continuing rain and melting snow on the Golan the water authority expect a big improvement in the lake's water level in the next few months.
There is cautious optimism that the water level of the lake will never be allowed to reach the danger levels of the past four years. This is because less fresh water will be taken from the Kinneret in future years due to the rapid increase in the desalination of sea water. (Bridges for Peace)
- Thank God for the abundance of rain and the gift of a snowfall. Pray that God sends enough rain to fill the Sea of Galilee and for a good supply of water for the coming summer.
- "God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength." (Job 37:5-6)
Worship with Us Today!
"Shelter Me"- Selah
The earth can shake the sky come down
The mountains all fall to the ground
But I will fear none of these things
Shelter me Lord underneath your wings
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