• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Today's Legislative Focus
• Obama's Mortgage Mess
• JAG Alert
• Senate approves $109B highway bill
• Bomb Threat Diverts Flight
• 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 - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
"I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below . . . " (Acts 2:19a)
The Daily Brief
1. Obama impeachment bill now in Congress - WND
Let the president be duly warned. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., R-N.C., has introduced a resolution declaring that should the president use offensive military force without authorization of an act of Congress, "it is the sense of Congress" that such an act would be "an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor."
In an exclusive WND column, former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo claims that Jones introduced his House Concurrent Resolution 107 in response to startling recent comments from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. "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," Tancredo writes. "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."
- Heavenly Father, we cry out to You to open the eyes of the American people to the grave dangers of an administration that has openly declared its choice to be a law unto themselves, brazenly throwing away restrictions and accountability to the balance of power built into our Constitution. Lord God, raise Your hand to stop their agenda to subjugate the United States to global powers. Raise up strong and wise leaders who will effectively reign in these serious abuses of power. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ!
- " Those who forsake the law, praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them...The righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:4,1)
[Note: Please see our OCAP on Monday, March 12, #7a, for more information on this topic and for links to original documents. Thank you.]
2. First Look at the Secret Iranian Site the U.N. Wants to Inspect - The Atlantic Wire
It's the most talked-about military site in the world. Just 18 miles southeast of Tehran, the Parchin military facility, suspected of housing a containment chamber to conduct high-explosive tests, has long eluded U.N. inspectors. But today, a research group in Washington has pinpointed on a satellite image what it says are its whereabouts.
- Thank You Lord, through You this hidden place has been pinpointed and made known to the whole world!! Lord, continue to expose those who desire to work destruction. Hinder all their ruthless deeds and desires, according to Your power in Jesus name.
- "But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made (this) known.." (Daniel 2:28)
3. Fed more upbeat about economic outlook - Washington Times
The Federal Reserve upgraded its outlook on the U.S. economy Tuesday, noting recent strong improvements in the job market while downplaying higher gasoline prices that are temporarily stoking inflation.
- Dear Lord, the graph included in this article makes a laughing stock of the written words. Lord, raise up leaders and media who speak Truth and reality, not what is politically advantageous to themselves. We ask that this nation would walk in obedience to You, repenting of our great sin, and seeking Your face; for You alone are the One who prospers the nations through Your son Jesus Christ.
- " Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything." (1 Chronicles 29:12) NLT
4. US warns Iran: Accede or be attacked - Jerusalem Post
The United States asked Russia to send Iran a message that the upcoming round of nuclear talks is its last chance to avoid a military confrontation this year, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported Wednesday according to a diplomatic source. The unusually stark warning by the US was passed on by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov... The diplomatic source said talks between Tehran and the international group will take place in April, when the P5+1 wants Iran to clarify details surrounding its nuclear program. The US wants Tehran to understand that these talks represent the Islamic Republic's last chance to avoid a military confrontation with the West over its nuclear program, according to the report.
- Lord Jesus, we trust You to intervene in every scheme of our enemies and prevent Iran's use of military power! We also pray that You would stay any military confrontation that would be used in this election year merely to serve political ends. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, through the authority of Jesus Christ our Lord.
- "For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret, but all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light." (Ephesians 12,13)
5. Iran parliament begins questioning President Ahmadinejad on multiple accusations - Fox News
Iran's parliament began Wednesday to question President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over a long list of accusations, including that he mismanaged the nation's economy and challenged the country's supreme leader. Ahmadinejad is the first president in the country's history to be hauled before the Iranian parliament, a serious blow to his standing in a conflict pitting him against lawmakers and the country's powerful clerical establishment. Conservative lawmaker Ali Motahari, a prominent opponent of the president, read out a series of 10 questions to Ahmadinejad in an open session of parliament broadcast live on state radio. Many lawmakers angrily denounced Ahmadinejad's performance, saying he insulted the elected parliament instead of responding to questions politely. "The parliament is now very much against the president. He didn't respect the house," parliamentarian Ghodratollah Ali Khani said. "Hopefully, the next step is Ahmadinejad's impeachment."
- Lord, we count these activities as a great answer to prayer. We ask You for a powerful wind of the Holy Spirit to blow through the parliament of Iran changing the course of this nation - to the world's amazement! Even as You lifted up Your daughter Esther to be Queen, may Christians in Iran today rise to positions of great prominence and favor, for nothing is impossible with You. Bring down Ahmadinejad's intended reign of terror. In Jesus' Name!
- "For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up - and it shall be brought low. The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day." (Isaiah 2:12,17) "For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus (of Persia), and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen." (Esther 10:3)
6. Car bomb explodes as Panetta lands in Afghanistan - AP
A suspected car bomb attack took place at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan as U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta flew into the British base on Wednesday.
- Pray for the safety of the Secretary of Defense as he visits Afghanistan.
- "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)
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. Some 200 rockets hit Israel since start of latest Gaza escalation - Ha'aretz
Nearly 200 rockets have exploded in Israeli territory since the latest round of violence between Israel and Gaza broke out on Friday.
2. Israel Strikes Oil Off Tel Aviv Coast - Arutz Sheva
Israel has struck oil again, this time off the Tel Aviv coast. Developers maintain the find includes 100 million barrels of oil, worth $10 billion.
3. Rocket hits Netivot parking lot; IDF strikes in Gaza - Ynet News
A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip exploded in a parking lot in Netivot on Tuesday hours after the introduction of a truce between Israel and Palestinian terror groups. A man was lightly hurt by shrapnel and 20 people suffered from anxiety.
4. Islamic Jihad holds victory rally in Gaza - Ynet News
Thousands of Islamic Jihad sympathizers participated in the group's victory rally celebrating the end of the current round of violence against Israel on Tuesday. The rally was attended by senior Islamic Jihad officials while the group's secretary-general, Ramadan Shallah, sent a video message from Damascus.
Today's Legislative Focus
From The Madison Project
www.madisonproject.com
CBO: Obamacare to Cost $1.762 Trillion Over 10 yrs
Remember when Obamacare was actually supposed to trim the deficit and cut healthcare costs? Well, it will cut Medicare with the death panel. But overall it will cost $1.762 Trillion Over 10 years, according to a new CBO report (See page 3). Keep in mind that those costs have nothing to do with the individual mandate. Even if the Supreme Court strikes down the individual mandate, we will be saddled with the costs of the rest of the program, as well as the inflationary cost on those of us who want to keep our private insurance. This is why Obamacare must be fully repealed, irrespective of the Supreme Court decision.
ObamaCare Costs Skyrocket
(Source: Gary Bauer)
Gas prices aren't the only thing skyrocketing these days. The cost of ObamaCare is going up too. The Congressional Budget Office reported yesterday that by 2022, ObamaCare is estimated to cost $1.76 trillion and run a deficit of more than $500 billion.
That is nearly twice the $900 billion price tag that [...] Obama proposed in a 2009 address to a joint session of Congress. And we know the pathetic record of government cost estimates.
Meanwhile the Heritage Foundation noted these "gems" in the report:
-- the individual mandate penalties will increase by one-third, or $11 billion."
"CBO also finds that more employers will choose not to offer coverage. The mandate penalties on firms will increase by 18.5 percent, or $15 billion, as these firms find it more efficient to pay a penalty."
-- " . . . government is projected to collect $80 billion more in income taxes over the next 10 years" on the assumption that as employers drop their health insurance they will compensate employees with higher wages, which Uncle Sam will tax.
-- Lastly, "There are 3 million fewer people receiving employer-provided coverage. . . There will also be 2 million fewer individuals in the exchange." . . .
Obama's Mortgage Mess
A month ago I wrote that Obama's mortgage deal with the big banks would backfire. [Yesterday], CNNMoney featured a story headlined: "Rage Grows Over Mortgage Deal." Consider this excerpt:
"As more details emerge about the massive $26 billion foreclosure settlement between the five biggest mortgage lenders and the states' attorneys general, a growing number of borrowers are realizing that the deal will do little, if anything, to help them out.
"For the homeowners who bought responsibly and made their payments faithfully, the real inequity comes in the fact that their tax dollars are paying for government-funded programs to prevent foreclosures while irresponsible borrowers accrue the benefits like the ones offered in the settlement."
This is what happens when socialists promise "fairness." And it reminds me of the great Churchill quote: "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
(Gary Bauer)
JAG Alert
From the Judicial Action Group (JAG)
Majority Leader Harry Reid Rushes 17 Judicial Nominees to the Floor for a Vote
Friends,
Please find below an email JAG sent to our members a little while ago, opposing cloture on all 17 of the nominees Reid has rushed to the floor, without a single word of debate on any of them ever being uttered on the Senate floor.
We encourage Senators to categorically deny cloture on any of these votes, as this ridiculous political stunt only circumvents debate, and cripples the Senate in their Constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on judicial nominees.
Regards,
James A. Christophersen
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced the unprecedented filing to force votes on seventeen of Hussein Obama's Judicial Nominees. These votes are an attempt to skip debate on the nominees by ending it before it has begun, and to rush them to be confirmed. Reid attempts to justify this rush, claiming Republicans have been filibustering these nominees and preventing the Senate from executing their proper role of providing advice and consent for all Judicial Nominations made by Hussein Obama.
The only problem is that none of these nominees have been filibustered. As Reid should know, a true filibuster occurs when a Senator, or Senators, take to the floor of the Senate and talk for hour after hour (sometimes rambling on for days reading Shakespeare, phonebooks, and favorite recipes) in order to delay a vote on an issue. That has not occurred here. To the contrary, none of these judicial nominees have been truly debated on the Senate floor!
Let me repeat that: None of the 17 nominees scheduled to be voted on this afternoon have EVER been debated on the Senate floor.
Yet Senator Reid wants to skip the critical discussion portion of the process, and jump straight to forcing Senators to vote on 17 Judicial Nominees which the Senators have not studied, reviewed, or openly debated. The only discussion on these nominees took place in the judiciary committee (composed of a mere 18 of the 100 US Senators), or perhaps in private conversations behind closed doors where dealings are hidden from the public view. . .
These votes are being rushed for purely partisan interests, not for the good of our Country - which is why we urge you to contact your Senator immediately and tell them to vote "no" on cloture for all of the nominees who are part of this desperate and nakedly political move by Majority Leader Harry Reid. (You can reach them by calling the Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121).
God bless you, and your family,
Phillip L. Jauregui
President
PS - Hussein Obama has consistently submitted Judicial Nominees with questionable records, and radically activist judicial philosophies. Click here for a summary of just one of the nominees on today's agenda.
Senate approves $109B highway bill, raising pressure on House
The Senate approved a $109 billion transportation bill on Wednesday that would fund road and transit projects for the next two years.
The bipartisan 74-22 vote puts pressure on the Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and the House to either pass a transportation bill of its own or take up the Senate-approved version of the measure ahead of a March 31 deadline for the expiration of current highway funding.
Boehner's favored transportation bill is a five-year, $260 billion measure that would pay for infrastructure projects with revenue from new domestic oil and gas drilling. His party has been divided on the measure, and Boehner has suggested he could move to the Senate bill if he can't win over his conference. (The Hill)
Bomb Threat Diverts Flight
Boston flight diverted to Buffalo due to bomb threat
FBI: Domestic dispute involved
JetBlue Flight 923 from Boston cleared after being diverted to Buffalo due to bomb threat
A JetBlue flight from Boston was diverted to Buffalo this morning following a "security threat" on the aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft was searched by law enforcement officials and after nothing was found, Flight 923 is now scheduled to depart for Chicago, its original destination, around 11:30 a.m. According to the Transportation Security Administration, the flight was originally diverted because of a "telephonic bomb threat." A passenger on board Flight 923 was interviewed by law enforcement in Buffalo where the plane landed around 8:30 a.m. (Read more)
FBI: No threat to Boston-Chicago flight sent to NY
BUFFALO, N.Y (AP) - A domestic dispute was likely at the root of a possible bomb scare that forced a Boston-to-Chicago flight carrying 83 passengers to land in Buffalo on Monday, but there was never a real threat, the FBI said. Steven Lanser, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Buffalo office, said authorities got a call Monday morning regarding JetBlue's Flight 923, which left Boston's Logan International Airport en route to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. A woman caller in the Boston area said there was a woman aboard who could possibly pose a threat . . . (Read more.) (Source: Investigative Project on Terrorism)
The Good News Corner:
Microsoft VP Says God Can Use Whatever You Have to Spread the Gospel
She said God's voice told her, "Five loaves and two fishes: what you have is enough."
(Vienna, VA)-Margo Day is Vice-President of Microsoft. More importantly, she's a Christian whose faith inspired her to help build a girls school and rescue center for World Vision in Pokot, Kenya.
Speaking at a recent "Women of Vision National Conference" for World Vision, Day said God has been able to use her influence in the business world to make a difference in the lives of countless women suffering abuse.
As reported by the Christian Post, Day shared with conference goers that in 2009 she realized she had "stepped away from my child-like faith," and wasn't sure how to go about getting it back. What followed was a trip to Kenya and first-hand look at the enormous issues women face there.
Click on the link provided to read details of how Day is working to combat the sex trade and female mutilation in Kenya. (Source: Stephanie Samuel - The Christian Post)
Worship with Us Today!
"All Things New" - Nicol Sponberg
This old earth is fading,
and our hearts are aching
so we let go of our possessions
leave behind our successes
to take hold of one obsession, only Jesus.
Listen here:
• The Middle East in Focus
• Today's Legislative Focus
• Obama's Mortgage Mess
• JAG Alert
• Senate approves $109B highway bill
• Bomb Threat Diverts Flight
• 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 - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
"I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below . . . " (Acts 2:19a)
The Daily Brief
1. Obama impeachment bill now in Congress - WND
Let the president be duly warned. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., R-N.C., has introduced a resolution declaring that should the president use offensive military force without authorization of an act of Congress, "it is the sense of Congress" that such an act would be "an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor."
In an exclusive WND column, former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo claims that Jones introduced his House Concurrent Resolution 107 in response to startling recent comments from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. "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," Tancredo writes. "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."
- Heavenly Father, we cry out to You to open the eyes of the American people to the grave dangers of an administration that has openly declared its choice to be a law unto themselves, brazenly throwing away restrictions and accountability to the balance of power built into our Constitution. Lord God, raise Your hand to stop their agenda to subjugate the United States to global powers. Raise up strong and wise leaders who will effectively reign in these serious abuses of power. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ!
- " Those who forsake the law, praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them...The righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:4,1)
[Note: Please see our OCAP on Monday, March 12, #7a, for more information on this topic and for links to original documents. Thank you.]
2. First Look at the Secret Iranian Site the U.N. Wants to Inspect - The Atlantic Wire
It's the most talked-about military site in the world. Just 18 miles southeast of Tehran, the Parchin military facility, suspected of housing a containment chamber to conduct high-explosive tests, has long eluded U.N. inspectors. But today, a research group in Washington has pinpointed on a satellite image what it says are its whereabouts.
- Thank You Lord, through You this hidden place has been pinpointed and made known to the whole world!! Lord, continue to expose those who desire to work destruction. Hinder all their ruthless deeds and desires, according to Your power in Jesus name.
- "But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made (this) known.." (Daniel 2:28)
3. Fed more upbeat about economic outlook - Washington Times
The Federal Reserve upgraded its outlook on the U.S. economy Tuesday, noting recent strong improvements in the job market while downplaying higher gasoline prices that are temporarily stoking inflation.
- Dear Lord, the graph included in this article makes a laughing stock of the written words. Lord, raise up leaders and media who speak Truth and reality, not what is politically advantageous to themselves. We ask that this nation would walk in obedience to You, repenting of our great sin, and seeking Your face; for You alone are the One who prospers the nations through Your son Jesus Christ.
- " Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything." (1 Chronicles 29:12) NLT
4. US warns Iran: Accede or be attacked - Jerusalem Post
The United States asked Russia to send Iran a message that the upcoming round of nuclear talks is its last chance to avoid a military confrontation this year, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported Wednesday according to a diplomatic source. The unusually stark warning by the US was passed on by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov... The diplomatic source said talks between Tehran and the international group will take place in April, when the P5+1 wants Iran to clarify details surrounding its nuclear program. The US wants Tehran to understand that these talks represent the Islamic Republic's last chance to avoid a military confrontation with the West over its nuclear program, according to the report.
- Lord Jesus, we trust You to intervene in every scheme of our enemies and prevent Iran's use of military power! We also pray that You would stay any military confrontation that would be used in this election year merely to serve political ends. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, through the authority of Jesus Christ our Lord.
- "For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret, but all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light." (Ephesians 12,13)
5. Iran parliament begins questioning President Ahmadinejad on multiple accusations - Fox News
Iran's parliament began Wednesday to question President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over a long list of accusations, including that he mismanaged the nation's economy and challenged the country's supreme leader. Ahmadinejad is the first president in the country's history to be hauled before the Iranian parliament, a serious blow to his standing in a conflict pitting him against lawmakers and the country's powerful clerical establishment. Conservative lawmaker Ali Motahari, a prominent opponent of the president, read out a series of 10 questions to Ahmadinejad in an open session of parliament broadcast live on state radio. Many lawmakers angrily denounced Ahmadinejad's performance, saying he insulted the elected parliament instead of responding to questions politely. "The parliament is now very much against the president. He didn't respect the house," parliamentarian Ghodratollah Ali Khani said. "Hopefully, the next step is Ahmadinejad's impeachment."
- Lord, we count these activities as a great answer to prayer. We ask You for a powerful wind of the Holy Spirit to blow through the parliament of Iran changing the course of this nation - to the world's amazement! Even as You lifted up Your daughter Esther to be Queen, may Christians in Iran today rise to positions of great prominence and favor, for nothing is impossible with You. Bring down Ahmadinejad's intended reign of terror. In Jesus' Name!
- "For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up - and it shall be brought low. The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day." (Isaiah 2:12,17) "For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus (of Persia), and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen." (Esther 10:3)
6. Car bomb explodes as Panetta lands in Afghanistan - AP
A suspected car bomb attack took place at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan as U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta flew into the British base on Wednesday.
- Pray for the safety of the Secretary of Defense as he visits Afghanistan.
- "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)
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. Some 200 rockets hit Israel since start of latest Gaza escalation - Ha'aretz
Nearly 200 rockets have exploded in Israeli territory since the latest round of violence between Israel and Gaza broke out on Friday.
2. Israel Strikes Oil Off Tel Aviv Coast - Arutz Sheva
Israel has struck oil again, this time off the Tel Aviv coast. Developers maintain the find includes 100 million barrels of oil, worth $10 billion.
3. Rocket hits Netivot parking lot; IDF strikes in Gaza - Ynet News
A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip exploded in a parking lot in Netivot on Tuesday hours after the introduction of a truce between Israel and Palestinian terror groups. A man was lightly hurt by shrapnel and 20 people suffered from anxiety.
4. Islamic Jihad holds victory rally in Gaza - Ynet News
Thousands of Islamic Jihad sympathizers participated in the group's victory rally celebrating the end of the current round of violence against Israel on Tuesday. The rally was attended by senior Islamic Jihad officials while the group's secretary-general, Ramadan Shallah, sent a video message from Damascus.
Today's Legislative Focus
From The Madison Project
www.madisonproject.com
CBO: Obamacare to Cost $1.762 Trillion Over 10 yrs
Remember when Obamacare was actually supposed to trim the deficit and cut healthcare costs? Well, it will cut Medicare with the death panel. But overall it will cost $1.762 Trillion Over 10 years, according to a new CBO report (See page 3). Keep in mind that those costs have nothing to do with the individual mandate. Even if the Supreme Court strikes down the individual mandate, we will be saddled with the costs of the rest of the program, as well as the inflationary cost on those of us who want to keep our private insurance. This is why Obamacare must be fully repealed, irrespective of the Supreme Court decision.
ObamaCare Costs Skyrocket
(Source: Gary Bauer)
Gas prices aren't the only thing skyrocketing these days. The cost of ObamaCare is going up too. The Congressional Budget Office reported yesterday that by 2022, ObamaCare is estimated to cost $1.76 trillion and run a deficit of more than $500 billion.
That is nearly twice the $900 billion price tag that [...] Obama proposed in a 2009 address to a joint session of Congress. And we know the pathetic record of government cost estimates.
Meanwhile the Heritage Foundation noted these "gems" in the report:
-- the individual mandate penalties will increase by one-third, or $11 billion."
"CBO also finds that more employers will choose not to offer coverage. The mandate penalties on firms will increase by 18.5 percent, or $15 billion, as these firms find it more efficient to pay a penalty."
-- " . . . government is projected to collect $80 billion more in income taxes over the next 10 years" on the assumption that as employers drop their health insurance they will compensate employees with higher wages, which Uncle Sam will tax.
-- Lastly, "There are 3 million fewer people receiving employer-provided coverage. . . There will also be 2 million fewer individuals in the exchange." . . .
Obama's Mortgage Mess
A month ago I wrote that Obama's mortgage deal with the big banks would backfire. [Yesterday], CNNMoney featured a story headlined: "Rage Grows Over Mortgage Deal." Consider this excerpt:
"As more details emerge about the massive $26 billion foreclosure settlement between the five biggest mortgage lenders and the states' attorneys general, a growing number of borrowers are realizing that the deal will do little, if anything, to help them out.
"For the homeowners who bought responsibly and made their payments faithfully, the real inequity comes in the fact that their tax dollars are paying for government-funded programs to prevent foreclosures while irresponsible borrowers accrue the benefits like the ones offered in the settlement."
This is what happens when socialists promise "fairness." And it reminds me of the great Churchill quote: "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."
(Gary Bauer)
JAG Alert
From the Judicial Action Group (JAG)
Majority Leader Harry Reid Rushes 17 Judicial Nominees to the Floor for a Vote
Friends,
Please find below an email JAG sent to our members a little while ago, opposing cloture on all 17 of the nominees Reid has rushed to the floor, without a single word of debate on any of them ever being uttered on the Senate floor.
We encourage Senators to categorically deny cloture on any of these votes, as this ridiculous political stunt only circumvents debate, and cripples the Senate in their Constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on judicial nominees.
Regards,
James A. Christophersen
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced the unprecedented filing to force votes on seventeen of Hussein Obama's Judicial Nominees. These votes are an attempt to skip debate on the nominees by ending it before it has begun, and to rush them to be confirmed. Reid attempts to justify this rush, claiming Republicans have been filibustering these nominees and preventing the Senate from executing their proper role of providing advice and consent for all Judicial Nominations made by Hussein Obama.
The only problem is that none of these nominees have been filibustered. As Reid should know, a true filibuster occurs when a Senator, or Senators, take to the floor of the Senate and talk for hour after hour (sometimes rambling on for days reading Shakespeare, phonebooks, and favorite recipes) in order to delay a vote on an issue. That has not occurred here. To the contrary, none of these judicial nominees have been truly debated on the Senate floor!
Let me repeat that: None of the 17 nominees scheduled to be voted on this afternoon have EVER been debated on the Senate floor.
Yet Senator Reid wants to skip the critical discussion portion of the process, and jump straight to forcing Senators to vote on 17 Judicial Nominees which the Senators have not studied, reviewed, or openly debated. The only discussion on these nominees took place in the judiciary committee (composed of a mere 18 of the 100 US Senators), or perhaps in private conversations behind closed doors where dealings are hidden from the public view. . .
These votes are being rushed for purely partisan interests, not for the good of our Country - which is why we urge you to contact your Senator immediately and tell them to vote "no" on cloture for all of the nominees who are part of this desperate and nakedly political move by Majority Leader Harry Reid. (You can reach them by calling the Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121).
God bless you, and your family,
Phillip L. Jauregui
President
PS - Hussein Obama has consistently submitted Judicial Nominees with questionable records, and radically activist judicial philosophies. Click here for a summary of just one of the nominees on today's agenda.
Senate approves $109B highway bill, raising pressure on House
The Senate approved a $109 billion transportation bill on Wednesday that would fund road and transit projects for the next two years.
The bipartisan 74-22 vote puts pressure on the Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and the House to either pass a transportation bill of its own or take up the Senate-approved version of the measure ahead of a March 31 deadline for the expiration of current highway funding.
Boehner's favored transportation bill is a five-year, $260 billion measure that would pay for infrastructure projects with revenue from new domestic oil and gas drilling. His party has been divided on the measure, and Boehner has suggested he could move to the Senate bill if he can't win over his conference. (The Hill)
Bomb Threat Diverts Flight
Boston flight diverted to Buffalo due to bomb threat
FBI: Domestic dispute involved
JetBlue Flight 923 from Boston cleared after being diverted to Buffalo due to bomb threat
A JetBlue flight from Boston was diverted to Buffalo this morning following a "security threat" on the aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft was searched by law enforcement officials and after nothing was found, Flight 923 is now scheduled to depart for Chicago, its original destination, around 11:30 a.m. According to the Transportation Security Administration, the flight was originally diverted because of a "telephonic bomb threat." A passenger on board Flight 923 was interviewed by law enforcement in Buffalo where the plane landed around 8:30 a.m. (Read more)
FBI: No threat to Boston-Chicago flight sent to NY
BUFFALO, N.Y (AP) - A domestic dispute was likely at the root of a possible bomb scare that forced a Boston-to-Chicago flight carrying 83 passengers to land in Buffalo on Monday, but there was never a real threat, the FBI said. Steven Lanser, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Buffalo office, said authorities got a call Monday morning regarding JetBlue's Flight 923, which left Boston's Logan International Airport en route to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. A woman caller in the Boston area said there was a woman aboard who could possibly pose a threat . . . (Read more.) (Source: Investigative Project on Terrorism)
The Good News Corner:
Microsoft VP Says God Can Use Whatever You Have to Spread the Gospel
She said God's voice told her, "Five loaves and two fishes: what you have is enough."
(Vienna, VA)-Margo Day is Vice-President of Microsoft. More importantly, she's a Christian whose faith inspired her to help build a girls school and rescue center for World Vision in Pokot, Kenya.
Speaking at a recent "Women of Vision National Conference" for World Vision, Day said God has been able to use her influence in the business world to make a difference in the lives of countless women suffering abuse.
As reported by the Christian Post, Day shared with conference goers that in 2009 she realized she had "stepped away from my child-like faith," and wasn't sure how to go about getting it back. What followed was a trip to Kenya and first-hand look at the enormous issues women face there.
Click on the link provided to read details of how Day is working to combat the sex trade and female mutilation in Kenya. (Source: Stephanie Samuel - The Christian Post)
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"All Things New" - Nicol Sponberg
This old earth is fading,
and our hearts are aching
so we let go of our possessions
leave behind our successes
to take hold of one obsession, only Jesus.
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