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Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Partners in Prayer for the Nation"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
On Capitol Hill This Week Volume XIX, Number 13aMay 14 - 18, 2012
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. (Psalm 2:1-4)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. NETANYAHU SAYS BROADER COALITION ENHANCES PEACE PROSPECTS
2. TIME MAGAZINE CROWNS NETANYAHU AS THE 'KING OF ISRAEL'
3. U.S. ATTACK PREPARATIONS FINALIZED
4. US CONGRESS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON LEGISLATING FOR WAR WITH IRAN
5. BARAK: TALKS WILL ALLOW TEHRAN TO DECEIVE WORLD
6. IRAN TO HIZBULLAH: DON'T STRIKE ISRAEL
7. EGYPT'S ABDUL FOTOUH: ISRAEL TREATY IS SECURITY THREAT"
8. DRAWING REVEALS IRANIAN SECRET NUCLEAR WEAPONS WORK
9. CHRISTIANS, JEWS TO UNITE AGAINST ISLAM
10. OBAMA PREDICTS 'HARD DAYS AHEAD' IN AFGHANISTAN AT NATO SUMMIT OPENING
1. NETANYAHU SAYS BROADER COALITION ENHANCES PEACE PROSPECTS
Israel's new national unity government is creating an opportunity to advance the peace process, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wrote to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. In a letter delivered to PA headquarters in Ramallah by his special envoy Isaac Molho, Netanyahu said negotiations should resume as soon as possible. Molho and Abbas met for 90 minutes and afterwards the two sides also issued a joint statement acknowledging their obligation to achieve peace.
Netanyahu recruited the centrist Kadima Party to his coalition last week, expanding his parliamentary majority and diluting the power of coalition partners skeptical of peace talks. A source who saw the letter that Netanyahu sent to Abbas said it included an official pledge by Netanyahu, for the first time in an official state document, to establish a demilitarized Palestinian state in keeping with the principle of a two-state solution. (By The Media Line, May 15, 2012)
- Pray for the success of this new coalition. Pray that both parties will put the nation's need for unity first and lay aside agendas that cause division, creating a strong government that is able to tackle the issues that threaten the state's very existence.
- "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:10-11)
2. TIME MAGAZINE CROWNS NETANYAHU AS THE 'KING OF ISRAEL'
Managing Editor Rick Stengel holds an exclusive interview with the Israeli PM after he created a 94-member coalition with the centrist Kadima party; Netanyahu tells TIME the Palestinians 'will never have a better partner than me. 'TIME magazine has crowned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the 'king of Israel' in its cover story this week, which profiles Netanyahu and marks his recent feat - brokering a 94-member coalition with the rival Kadima party. In the article, Managing Editor Rick Stengel outlines Netanyahu's recent achievements and explains why he is worthy of the title of 'King of Israel.' "Netanyahu is poised to become the longest-serving Israeli Prime Minister since David Ben-Gurion, the founding father of Israel. He has no national rival," Stengel writes. "His approval rating, roughly 50%, is at an all-time high. At a moment when incumbents around the world are being shunted aside, he is triumphant. With his bullet-proof majority, he has a chance to turn himself into the historic figure he has always yearned to be. He has become, as some commentators have dubbed him, the King of Israel."
Stengel also inquired about Netanyahu's much talked about relationship with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, to which the prime minister replied that he has only seen Romney a handful of times over the years and only once this year, when they spoke for 10 minutes, mainly about Iran. (Haaretz)
- Continue to pray for humility and wisdom for Netanyahu, as he continues his leadership of Israel. Pray for the Palestinians to recognize and respect Bibi's attributes. Ask the Lord to increase the Israelis' confidence in Bibi and to support him. Praise the Lord that TIME is recognizing Bibi for whatever reasons; at least TIME brings to the public, news of Israel and its Prime Minister!
- "But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." ( 1 Samuel 17: 45b)
3. U.S. ATTACK PREPARATIONS FINALIZED
The American ambassador to Israel said this week that not only was America willing to use military force to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, but that preparations had already been made for a possible attack. "It would be preferable to resolve this diplomatically and through the use of pressure than to use military force," the ambassador, Dan Shapiro, said at a meeting Tuesday of the Israeli bar association. "But that doesn't mean that option is not fully available. And not just available, but it's ready. The necessary planning has been done to ensure that it's ready."
While American leaders, including President Obama and his defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have frequently said all options are on the table regarding Iran, the notion of specific plans being made is not something they typically talk about. In fact, at a March speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobby, Mr. Obama warned that "loose talk of war" could actually speed Tehran's move toward weaponization, saying "now is not the time for bluster." (NY Times)
- Praise the Lord that American officials are willing to help Israel should Iran fulfill its plans to attack Israel! Pray into these plans so they never have to be used, and that Iran is intimidated sufficiently to avoid using nuclear weapons against Israel. The Iranians have fallen under the curse of Genesis 12:3; therefore, we can now pray that the leaders of Iran will be removed from any power to wage war.
- "They encourage themselves in an evil matter; they talk of laying snares secretly - But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded." (Psalm 64: 5a, 7a)
4. US CONGRESS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON LEGISLATING FOR WAR
WITH IRAN
This week, Congress is considering two pieces of legislation relating to Iran. The first undermines a diplomatic solution with Iran and lowers the bar for war. The second authorizes a war of choice against Iran and begins military preparations for it. H.Res.568: Eliminating the Most Viable Alternative to War - The House is expected to vote on H.Res. 568. Read the resolution. Section (6) rejects any United States policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons-capable Iran. Section (7) urges the President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with nuclear-weapons capability and opposition to any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to Iranian enrichment.
This language represents a significant shift in U.S. policy and would guarantee that talks with Iran, currently scheduled for May 23, would fail. Current U.S. policy is that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. Instead, H. Res. 568 draws the "redline" for military action at Iran achieving a nuclear weapons "capability," a nebulous and undefined term that could include a civilian nuclear program. Indeed, it is likely that a negotiated deal to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and to prevent war would provide for Iranian enrichment for peaceful purposes under the framework of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty with strict safeguards and inspections. This language makes such a negotiated solution impossible. At the same time, the language lowers the threshold for attacking Iran. Countries with nuclear weapons "capability" could include many other countries like Japan or Brazil. It is an unrealistic threshold. The Former Chief of Staff of Secretary of State Colin Powell has stated that this resolution "reads like the same sheet of music that got us into the Iraq war."
H.R. 4310: Authorizing War Against Iran and Preparing the Military for it. While H. Res. 568 undermines our diplomatic efforts and lowers the bar for war, H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 begins military preparations for war. Section 1221 makes military action against Iran a U.S. policy. Section 1222 directs our armed forces to prepare for war. (Huffington Post)
- Ask the Lord for wisdom upon our Congressional leaders as they consider these bills. They seem the result of frustration with "diplomacy-only" approach of the current administration. Ask the Lord also to bring the European nations into any action concerning Iran. Because the House applauded Netanyahu, we know that the American Congress stands with Israel and will do what is necessary to protect Israel. We want to be under God's blessings in standing up for Israel. If passing these bills is according to God's will- we want these bills to be airtight - so that no one can find loopholes and betray the House.
- Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." (Proverbs 16: 3)
5. BARAK: TALKS WILL ALLOW TEHRAN TO DECEIVE WORLD
Defense Minister Ehud Barak expressed on Wednesday night [May 16] his concern that negotiations between Iran and the Western powers will result in agreements that will allow Tehran to deceive the world and advance its nuclear program. In an interview with CNN, Barak said that Israel is concerned that Iran would not be contained, adding that Jerusalem trusts the US to set the bar that will prevent Iran from achieving military nuclear capabilities. In Washington DC for a meeting with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and other officials, Barak placed an emphasis on the international community combining forces in an effort to foil Iran's nuclear progress. "It's about a real challenge to the whole world, not just Israel. I think a nuclear Iran will change the whole landscape of the Middle East. We have to do something to block it from happening," Barak said.
Barak further said that Israel had not ruled out a military operation against Iran's nuclear facilities. "The real challenge now is the negotiations with Iran," said the minister, but emphasized that Israel reserves the right to defend itself against Iran. Nuclear talks between Iran and the six world powers are scheduled to take place on May 23 in Baghdad. In the interview, Barak noted that "Israel strongly believes and relies on the US and the other members of the P5 plus 1, and expects them to set the bar at a place where it will block Iran from turning military nuclear. There is a need to stop enriching uranium, to 20%, or even 3.5%," said Israel's defense minister. "To take all the enriched uranium out of the country," he clarified.
During his trip to the US, Barak also plans to meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor in the Obama Administration, Tom Donilon. Barak is scheduled to meet with Panetta at the Pentagon on Thursday in order to finalize a deal in which the United States will provide an additional $680 million to Israel over three years. The money is meant to help pay for procuring three or four new batteries and interceptors for Israel's Iron Dome short-range rocket defense program and other missile defense systems. The Iron Dome funds, already in legislation before Congress, will be on top of the $3.1 billion in military aid grants being provided to Israel in 2013. (Yitzhak Benhorin, Ynetnews, May 17, 2012)
- Pray that the nations will not be so deceived by Iran's new openness to talk - that they recognize the "talk" as nothing more than a delay tactic.
- "Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; he devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand." (Isaiah 32:7-8)
6. IRAN TO HIZBULLAH: DON'T STRIKE ISRAEL
Iran scared of war against Israel? A senior Iranian official ordered Hizbullah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah to refrain from striking Israel, several media outlets in Iran reported Wednesday. Web sites affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards quoted the commander of Iran's al-Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, as warning Nasrallah not to strike Israel during a phone conversation.
According to reports, Soleimani told Nasrallah that a war against Israel would "hurt Iran and Hizbullah." The Fares news agency reported earlier that Soleimani warned Nasrallah not to make "radical" moves, adding that the authority of those who think of launching a sudden attack against the "Zionist regime" should be curbed.
Notably, last week Nasrallah said that, as opposed to the Second Lebanon War, Hizbullah now possesses the ability to hit specific Tel Aviv targets. According to Wednesday's reports, Soleimani said that a war would allow Israel to assume the role of victim. However, the reports apparently angered senior Iranian officials, and several hours later the Revolutionary Guards denied the story, claiming it was a "big lie published on behalf of the Zionists." According to the announcement, the West has been trying for some time to portray Hizbullah as a "two-faced organization." In the framework of his post, Soleimani is in charge of the Revolutionary Guards' elite force, which among other things is in charge of coordination terror activity beyond Iran's borders.(By Dudi Cohen, Ynetnews, May 16, 2012)
- Pray that God will give great wisdom and insight to Israel's top military leaders as they continue to make plans to protect the nation against the increasing threat of a Hizbullah attack in the North.
- "When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things," (Proverbs 2:10-12)
7. EGYPT'S ABDUL FOTOUH: ISRAEL TREATY IS SECURITY "THREAT"
Israel is a "racist state" and Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with it is "a national security threat" that must be "revised," declared Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, a front runner in the Egyptian presidential elections next week. In an interview with the private Egyptian television channel CBC, Aboul Fotouh said he had opposed the 1979 Camp David peace treaty from the start. In a televised debate with his main contender, former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, Aboul Fotouh described Israel as an "enemy." Moussa has also argued for the revision of the treaty with Israel and describes its policies towards Palestinians as an Egyptian "national security issue."
The U.S. regards the bilateral treaty as a lynchpin of its Middle East strategy and has urged the candidates to respect it, but for now, the State Department is taking it in stride. "People say things in a campaign, and then when they get elected, they actually have to govern," spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. (By The Media Line, May 15, 2012)
- This election is critical for Egypt and Israel. Pray that this man will not be elected, and that the Egyptian people will realize the benefits of continuing a peace treaty with Israel. Pray for Israel's Southern Command as they have to now bolster their defenses in the South in preparation for a questionable future with Egypt.
- "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."(Daniel 2:20-21)
8. DRAWING REVEALS IRANIAN SECRET NUCLEAR WEAPONS WORK
A U.S. security institute says commercial satellite imagery shows new activity at an Iranian military site which raises concern that the country may be "washing" a building the United Nations' nuclear agency wants to inspect.
"The new activity seen in the satellite image occurred outside a building suspected to contain an explosive chamber used to carry out nuclear weapons related experiments," it said on its website in a May 8 report including the satellite image.
The Associated Press reported that a drawing based on information from inside an Iranian military site shows an explosives containment chamber of the type needed for nuclear arms-related tests that U.N. inspectors suspect Tehran has conducted there. Iran denies such testing and has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of such a chamber.
The computer-generated drawing was provided to The Associated Press by an official of a country tracking Iran's nuclear program who said it proves the structure exists, despite Tehran's refusal to acknowledge it.
The IAEA has been stonewalled by Iran for more than four years in attempts to probe what it says is intelligence from member states strongly suggesting that Iran secretly worked on developing nuclear weapons. (Contributors: Gulf Times, Washington Post, YNet News, Associated Press and George Jahn)
- Ask the Lord to further expose the secrets regarding Iran's nuclear weapons development. Pray for God's intervention in protecting those vulnerable to an Iranian assault in other countries in the region - especially Israel. Please continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
- "Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem." (Zechariah 1:17)
9. CHRISTIANS, JEWS TO UNITE AGAINST ISLAM
Last Wednesday [May 9] in Rome, Jewish leaders for the first time rallied alongside Christians in a candlelit vigil to denounce the attacks in the Middle East and Africa. It was "interfaith" or "ecumenical" dialogue at its best. Forget the theological questions, which remain unsolvable.
There is an urgent mutual solidarity about the single most defining issue of our time: religious freedom. It is about the right to life of Jews and Christians in an Islamicized Middle East. Speaking at the Coliseum, Rome's Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni slammed Western "indifference" surrounding the massacre of minorities in the Middle East.
While the West is now endlessly focused on "Islamophobia," a potential genocidal Christianophobia is spreading through Islamic lands. And as the rally in the Coliseum has clearly shown, it pairs up with another kind of hatred: Judeophobia.
Christians should see Israel as the first line of Western defense in the battle for non-Muslim survival and prosperity in the world. The sagacious American author Eric Hoffer, longshoreman-philosopher from San Francisco, gave voice to a profound and tragic Holocaust-related 20th-century truth: "I have a premonition that will not leave me, as it goes with Israel so will it go with all of us." (Excerpts of an article by Giulio Meotti, Ynetnews, May 12, 2012) READ MORE:
- Praise God for the Jews who stood with Christians in this effort to showcase Christian persecution in Islamic lands. Pray for the persecuted Christians in these lands.
- "Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; oh, sing praises to the Lord - O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!" (Psalm 68:32,35)
10. OBAMA PREDICTS 'HARD DAYS AHEAD' IN AFGHANISTAN AT NATO SUMMIT OPENING
The NATO alliance that has fought for a decade in Afghanistan is helping that nation shift toward stability and peace, but there will be "hard days ahead," Obama said Sunday in Chicago as alliance leaders insisted the fighting coalition will remain effective despite France's plans to yank combat troops out early.
With a global economic crisis and waning public support for the war in the backdrop, world leaders opened a NATO summit confronted by questions about Afghanistan's post-conflict future: money for security forces, coming elections and more. They were also papering over the crack in the fighting alliance with the planned French withdrawal.
The end of the war is in sight, Obama said following a lengthy discussion with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the sidelines of the NATO summit. The military alliance is pledged to remain in Afghanistan into 2014, but will seal plans Sunday and Monday to shift foreign forces off the front lines a year faster than once planned.
Afghan forces will take the lead throughout the nation next year, instead of in 2014, despite uneven performance under U.S. and other outside tutelage so far. The shift is in large part a response to plummeting public support for the war in Europe and the United States, contributors of most of the 130,000 foreign troops now fighting the Taliban-led insurgency. A majority of Americans now say the war is unwinnable or not worth continuing. Karzai said his nation is looking forward to the end of war, "so that Afghanistan is no longer a burden on the shoulder of our friends in the international community, on the shoulders of the United States and our other allies."
- Here is the new Socialist president of France saying that he will pull French troops from NATO and the war in Afghanistan Pray that France can and will extricate itself from its selfish attitudes. France has a part to play in this war against the despicable Taliban. Pray for wisdom in the discussions of the members of NATO so that righteous moves are made and then for the commitments to be fulfilled. Pray for respect for our president from NATO, not because of who he is but for the health and security of America. Ask the Lord for truth and honesty in this G-8 summit.
- "In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you." (Isaiah 54: 14)
Focus on International Banking News
1. SILENCE ON CHINA TAKEOVER OF SOME U.S. BANKS
2. EUROPE'S DEBT CRISIS JOINS GOVERNMENTS AND BANKS AT THE HIP
3. EX-ECB HEAD UNVEILS BOLD PLAN TO SAVE THE EURO
1. SILENCE ON CHINA TAKEOVER OF SOME U.S. BANKS
U.S. legislators have been unusually silent about federal regulators' decision to allow a Chinese bank to take over 13 bank branches in New York and California, suggesting that they think American banks have much to gain. It will buy up to 80 percent of the U.S. unit of the Hong Kong-based Bank of East Asia, which operates 13 branches in New York and California. According to the Fed the bank has total assets of roughly $2.5 trillion.
A Federal Reserve decision to let Chinese banks acquire U.S. lenders is finally being challenged by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who said it could open the way for Chinese government-run institutions to undercut U.S. banks. "I worry that these banks and their U.S. subsidiaries will use their state support as a way to under price U.S. banks," Casey, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, said in a letter Thursday to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) won approval from the Fed on Wednesday to buy a U.S. lender in the biggest opening of the American banking market to Chinese companies. The Fed allowed ICBC to operate as a bank holding company, buying a controlling stake in Bank of East Asia's U.S. unit. The Fed also let Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China open U.S. branches.
The decision marks the first time that regulators have allowed a Chinese bank to buy a majority stake in a U.S. depository institution. ICBC Chairman Jiang Jianqing has spent more than $6 billion on acquisitions in regions spanning Asia to South Africa and the Americas over the past three years, seeking to triple the share of profit coming from abroad to 10 percent.
One of the very few lawmakers to speak out has been Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), who has a separate beef with the Fed over monetary policy and is holding up two nominees to its board of governors. And even he limited his response to a Tweet - two days after the announcement. "In midst of my dispute w/ Fed," Vitter wrote on Twitter, "news they're allowing China banks to takeover American financial institutes & enter banking market - bad news."
Vitter, the top Republican on the Senate banking panel's subcommittee on economic policy expanded when pressed by The Hill. "I think the Fed will have a difficult time explaining that allowing Chinese state-backed banks to takeover American banks is what our market needs," he said in a statement. "They owe Congress an explanation of their decision and I plan on asking for it."
Meanwhile in the House, the chairman of the Financial Services Committee's panel on International Monetary Policy and Trade scheduled a hearing on the decision for Wednesday. But even that hearing aims to assess U.S. banks' access to the Chinese market rather than criticize the Fed's decision.
"I was very surprised by the Federal Reserve's decision to open the doors to China's banking system," Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) told The Hill in a statement. "I have called a hearing of [my] subcommittee . . . because Congress needs to know if the Obama Administration is giving away the store in its negotiations with China. What I want to know is, do American banks have access to China's markets? Are we giving Chinese banks better access than China gives American banks?" (Intercessors for America)
- Ask the Lord to give wisdom to our legislators on how best to address this potential threat to our already troubled economy. Pray that the Lord will grant insights to our legislators who have oversight of these important banking industry decisions.
- "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but the thoughts of everyone who is hasty only to poverty." (Proverbs 21:5)
2. EUROPE'S DEBT CRISIS JOINS GOVERNMENTS AND BANKS AT THE HIP
The alarm over potential bank runs in Greece and Spain this week has highlighted an often-overlooked fact: Europe's debt crisis is also, in many ways, a major banking crisis. In capitals such as Athens, Madrid and Rome, large portions of the sovereign debt racked up by spendthrift governments are owed to the countries' own banks, locking governments and the banks in an embrace so tight that disaster for one would almost certainly spell doom for the other. International bailouts for Greece, Ireland and Portugal have helped to keep not just their governments but also their banks afloat, as well as financial institutions in other parts of Europe with large exposure to those nations' debts.
Though worried investors have mostly focused on the dire consequences of government default, reports of depositors pulling out large sums in Greece and Spain are shifting attention to those beleaguered banking systems and the catastrophic effects of a full-on run. On Friday, the Fitch ratings agency downgraded the creditworthiness of five Greek banks. That followed a similar demotion of 16 Spanish financial institutions by the Moody's ratings firm Thursday evening. Neither of the two Mediterranean nations is yet experiencing anything close to a major run on their banks, analysts say. There are no lines of frightened customers desperate to withdraw cash, and the banks in both countries together hold hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of euros. But with the euro crisis having reached yet another feverish pitch, stock markets and the values of banking shares are yo-yoing wildly. "It's the uncertainty that's the principal reason for alarm in this," Iain Begg, an expert on European economy and finance at the London School of Economics, said Friday.
In many ways, Spain has become the epitome of a banking system in distress. Its financial institutions are weighed down by bad real estate loans left over from a property boom-gone-bust and by huge holdings of government debt. Spanish banks now hold the majority of the country's treasury bonds. "It's very unsafe for a bank to buy debt in its own government, because it's like putting all your eggs in one basket," said Rolf Campos, an economist at Spain's IESE Business School. The outcome "depends on whether you drop the basket or not." "If Spain is able to pay off its debt, then it won't be a problem. But if Spain has to default on some of its debt, which is not likely but is possible, it will have been a very bad investment decision." (Los Angeles Times) Read more.
- Some of this debt results from socialistic attitudes of the governments - the nanny state. Now people rely on the "nanny" to supply all their needs from cradle to grave, and whine because the government debt cannot provide. Jesus came "to set the captive free." Unfortunately the people do not realize that they have been wrapped in the spider's web.
Pray that the people avoid rioting but take responsibility for their own well-being. Pray that the churches in Europe start preaching about God's plan for self support (and His support). Too many churches and cathedrals are tourist attractions only with repetitious litanies. Pray for honesty and wisdom as banks grapple with their fragile ties to their governments..
- "The Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84: 11)
3. EX-ECB HEAD UNVEILS BOLD PLAN TO SAVE THE EURO
Europe could strengthen its monetary union by giving European politicians the power to declare a sovereign state bankrupt and take over its fiscal policy, the former head of the European Central Bank said on Thursday in unveiling a bold proposal to salvage the euro. The plan offered by Jean-Claude Trichet, who stepped down last November as ECB president, would address a fundamental weakness of the 13-year-old single currency, the survival of which is threatened by the Greek crisis.
The monetary union has always defied economic principles, because the euro was launched ahead of European fiscal or political union. This has caused strains for countries running huge budget deficits - namely Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Italy - that have led to financing difficulties and over-stretched banking systems. For the European Union, a fully fledged United States of Europe where nation states cede a large chunk of fiscal authority to the federal government appears politically unpalatable, Trichet said. "An alternative is to activate the EU federal powers only in exceptional circumstances when a country's budgetary policies threaten the broader monetary union."
Federation by exception seems to me not only necessary to make sure we have a solid Economic and Monetary Union, but it might also fit with the very nature of Europe in the long run. I don't think we will have a big (centralized) EU budget," Trichet said in a speech before the Peterson Institute of International Economics here. "It is a quantum leap of governance, which I trust is necessary for the next step of European integration," he said. His proposal was presented in Washington on the eve of the G8 meeting of the world's major economies, hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama, who will press Europe to intensify its efforts to resolve the sovereign debt crisis, which threatens a fragile global recovery.
The proposal also comes ahead of a critical meeting of EU leaders on May 23 to discuss ways to support growth. Its strict budgetary policies to date have led to recessions in many countries, political unrest and in Greece a political stalemate after recent elections. Trichet said the building blocks already are in place for moving ahead with his fiscal plan. Countries have agreed to surveillance of each other's budgets, and they have agreed to levy fines on countries that run excessive budget deficits, giving them fiscal oversight authority.
The idea earned a warm reception from leading economists and prominent Europeans attending the session. "It is a very radical proposal, couched as a modest step," said Richard Cooper, international economist at Harvard.
Caio Koch Weser, former German economics minister, said he found it "very attractive" because it addresses the problem of a strong European Central Bank, a weak European Commission which acts as the EU's executive branch, and a confused European Council, which provides political leadership. (Reuters) Read more.
- Europe has been in a post-Christian attitude for several decades but with hot pockets of the Holy Spirit flaring up in a number of areas. Europe needs to return to God's Word to receive His blessings, monetarily and otherwise. Many European nations have now invited Moslems to become citizens, and socialism also became rampant. These nations have also turned against Israel. Without God's Word as guidance, Europe now finds itself in dire financial straits. Pray that Europe will have a "II Chronices7:14" revival. Ask the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit. Man's wisdom will not set the finances afresh, a lesson that most Europeans have forgotten. Only God can correct the errors.
- "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed." (Psalm 2:1,2)
On Capitol Hill This Week Volume XIX, Number 13b
DOMESTIC NEWS
The Legislative Branch
1. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS GIRD FOR "CHAOS" IN COMING SESSION
2. GOP HOUSE LEADERS PRESSURE HOLDER: COMPLY WITH SUBPEONA
3. SENATOR QUESTIONS $18B FOR JOB TRAINING; STUDY SUGGESTS RAMPANT WASTE
4. SENATE CONFIRMS OBAMA NOMINEES FOR FED BOARD
5. SENATE GOP LEADER MCCONNELL: AMERICA'S CHALLENGES ARE TOO SERIOUS TO IGNORE
6. TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR ABORTIONS
7. VISION: ANGELS SURROUNDING D.C.
1. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS GIRD FOR "CHAOS" IN COMING SESSION
Chaos predicted for end-of-year, lame duck session
Republican and Democratic congressional leaders are stepping up their war of words over a looming lame-duck session that is already being described as "chaos in Congress," as they gird for a marathon debate tackling everything from the debt ceiling to hundreds of billions of dollars in scheduled tax hikes. At the center of the debate is the scheduled expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts. This, combined with other changes like the expiration of the payroll tax cut backed by President Obama, will add up to a roughly $310 billion tax hike, according to a letter penned by Senate Republicans this past week. "This would be, without any exaggeration, the largest tax increase in American history," they wrote.
With so much clumped on Congress' plate at the end of the year, leaders in both parties are calling on one another to begin dealing with the issues now -- as in, before the November election. They're also moving to insulate themselves politically, by claiming to take the initiative on problems that months from now could end in stalemate. Alan Simpson, the former Republican senator who co-chaired one of several deficit-reduction commissions that did not end up winning support from Congress or the president, earlier this week predicted the congressional session would be capped by a year-end, post-election brawl. "I think between November 6 and December 20, it's going to be chaos in Congress," he said. (Fox News) Read more.
- Our God is not a God of chaos and confusion, but of peace and order in all things. Every time you hear mention made of "chaos" or "confusion" in Congress, speak out loud: SHALOM . . . This is the peace that passes all understanding, and this is the peace our Father desires all of us to walk in now and forevermore. Amen.
- "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
2. GOP HOUSE LEADERS PRESSURE HOLDER: COMPLY WITH SUBPEONA
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder Friday morning demanding full cooperation with the ongoing investigation into the "Fast and Furious" operation and the death of Border Agent Brian Terry.
"The American people deserve to know how such a fundamentally flawed operation could have continued for so long and have a full accounting of who knew of and approved an operation that placed weapons in the hands of drug cartels," said the letter sent Friday by House Speaker Rep. John Boehner, House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor, House Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy, and Rep. Darrel Issa, chairman of the chamber's investigative committee.
Issa wants to put Holder in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with the October 2011 subpoena issued for the documents. House members say Holder has provided only select information, while the administration argues Holder has provided what is required for the congressional investigations.
Boehner said "Congress wants "to hold everyone at the Department of Justice and the administration accountable for what happened or what didn't happen" in the program. Among the key questions is which top officials knew about the failed program and when, and did the officials mislead Congress.
The letter states that the Department of Justice has not sufficiently complied with a Congressional subpoena seeking answers on the operation, and questions whether false information that was provided - and later withdrawn - was "was part of a broader effort by your Department to obstruct a Congressional investigation." (Christian Coalition of America; Fox News)
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THE LETTER
- Pray that this material is released immediately to the House. It would appear that Holder is playing deceptive games with Congress and withholding information that might be damaging to the White House. If not, why is the Department of Justice dancing around the full facts of Fast and Furious? America has been a nation of law, and all officials must follow the law of the land. Of course, Mrs. Pelosi has lost credibility with the American people. Ask the Lord to expose the truth.
- "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage." ( 2 Peter 2:19)
3. SENATOR QUESTIONS $18B FOR JOB TRAINING; STUDY SUGGESTS RAMPANT WASTE,ABUSE
A study commissioned by Sen. Tom Coburn is casting doubt on whether taxpayers' $18 billion annual investment in federal jobs training programs is paying off.
"The vast majority of money we spend in job training doesn't go to job training, it goes to employ people in those job training federal programs," Coburn told Fox News.
The 2011 Government Accountability Office study he commissioned, which examined programs in fiscal year 2009, found an overlapping and duplicative maze of 47 federal jobs programs run by nine agencies. Some were rife with mismanagement, waste, fraud, abuse and corruption. (Fox News) Read more.
- Our Precious Lord, we come to You asking that You would make sure this matter of waste of money and resources would be fully investigated so that our government bureaucracies would be accountable for their spending. We thank you so much for watchful Congressmen who can see problems and bring them to light.
- "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked." (Psalms 29:27)
4. SENATE CONFIRMS OBAMA NOMINEES FOR FED BOARD
The US Senate voted by a wide-margin Thursday to confirm President Obama's nominees for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Harvard economist Jeremy Stein and investment banker Jerome Powell. The confirmation "overcame Republican objections and brought the seven-member board to full strength for the first time since 2006, before the economic crisis." Neither governor "has widely known views on the central policy questions facing the Fed: whether to take more action to reduce unemployment or whether the economy is already at risk of a dangerous acceleration of inflation." In a statement, the White House thanked lawmakers, saying: "Today's broad bipartisan vote in the Senate reflects their deep knowledge of economic and monetary policy, as well as their distinguished backgrounds and unique experience." (New York Times)
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal quotes confirmation critic Louisiana Sen. David Vitter (R) as saying on the Senate floor Thursday: Stein and Powell "clearly also support the current direction of Chairman [Ben] Bernanke and the Fed and for that reason I cannot support the nominations." Similarly, Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker (R) added on the Senate floor, "These two nominees candidly do not represent the kind of more hawkish position that I would like to see the Federal Reserve take where they're concerned about price stability over the long haul."
- Dear Lord, we ask that You would make a way for unfit nominees for federal positions to be rejected handily in the future. Lord, please keep a watch over the activities these two people engage in and put a stop to anything that would harm America. We pray for them to be given wisdom from above.
- "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, bull of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17)
5. SENATE GOP LEADER MCCONNELL: AMERICA'S CHALLENGES ARE TOO SERIOUS TO IGNORE
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the need for Senate Democrats to stop ducking responsibility on the serious and urgent problems facing the United States:
"Yesterday in the Senate, we got a vivid look at why the challenges we face in this country are so difficult to address: 1) "With a looming fiscal crisis some have called the most predictable in history. 2) "With a national debt at a level none of us ever imagined. 3) "With millions unemployed and millions more underemployed. 4) "With the biggest tax hike in history looming at the end of the year. 5) "And with entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security drawing closer every day to insolvency.
"Here's what Senate Democrats did yesterday: they ducked. They were presented with five different options for dealing with these problems, and they voted against every single one. "Now, no one was particularly surprised to see Democrats reject the Republicans proposals. We hoped that some of them would support them, but we weren't altogether surprised they didn't..But every American should be surprised that Democrats didn't offer a single plan of their own, and that they didn't even support the plan offered by a president of their own party. "But, sadly, that's what passes for leadership in the Democrat-led Senate these days: oppose everybody else -including a President of your own party- and hope nobody notices you're not doing anything yourself.
Most people would say it's the responsibility of the party in power to propose solutions. And they'd be right. "The problems we face are simply too serious and too urgent to avoid any longer. And yet Democrats continue to duck any responsibility for addressing them. We saw that yesterday. "I would imagine there are some Democrats this morning who are having second thoughts about their party's performance yesterday. And if I'm right about that, I invite them to stand up and work with us. "Put aside what's politically safe, and do what's right. The problems we face are too great to put off another day. It's time to come together and act." (Christian Coalition of America)
- We can understand the Senate Minority Leader's frustration with the current impasse, as outlined above. In this election year, pray the the majority party in the Senate will stop playing this game of "duck and cover," and stand up to its responsibility to offer solid solutions to the nation's economic ills. Pray in agreement that there will be some from the other side of the aisle who will join with the Republicans to forge a working alliance to get this job done. Continue to cry out before our Lord for mercy in this hour of judgment; perhaps He would relent and move upon the hearts of our leaders to actually lead, again.
- "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich." (Proverbs 10:4)
6. TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR ABORTIONS
Congressmen Bill Huizenga and Dan Boren introduced H.R. 5646, the Homeland Security Respect for Life Act, which closes loopholes that allow taxpayer funds to be used for abortions for illegal immigrants in detention by the Department of Homeland Security. The bill mirrors language that is currently included in the annual Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill which prohibits taxpayer funding of abortions for federal detainees, but not those under DHS jurisdiction. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
Congress Told Nation's Capital OKs Abortions Until Birth
On Thursday, May 17, Members of Congress at a hearing in the U.S. House were told about how the nation's capital allows abortions all the way until birth. They were informed that one abortion facility in the District of Columbia openly advertises abortions at seven months into pregnancy, paid for via cash or credit card.
No more than five nations in the world have a legal policy that is this extreme, three doctors told members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution. They supported the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 3803), that would protect unborn children in the District after they have reached 20 weeks fetal age. (LifeNews) Read more.
- Our Mighty God, we ask that You would bring changes to the policies in our nation that would allow abortions up until birth! Father, we grieve for the lost children who are the victims of these rulings. Please help those who have the power to change these abominations to do so quickly. Forgive us for using federal dollars for such a thing. Bring even more awareness of this to the public and heal up those hurt by abortion.
- "And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech." (2 Kings 23:10)
7. VISION: ANGELS SURROUNDING D.C.
[Submitted by: Jon Hamill; Lamplighter Ministries]
Last night as we were praying, I saw a vision of large angels completely surrounding Washington DC. They were lined up on the border, which is shaped as a diamond. That is how I saw them. And this is one of only a few times God has opened my eyes to see His angelic army.
Remember we began our year with 52 days of prayer to build a Nehemiah Wall around Washington DC. I feel somehow the Lord is moving even according to our previous intercession to seal the borders from the enemy! Not sure what this all means. But Nehemiah built his wall to protect Jerusalem, the capital city, from terrorist attack!
My immediate thought last night was that the nation and world was focused on the NATO summit in Chicago, especially related to security. And the enemy was trying to slip "under the radar" into DC during this time. When I asked what they were doing, Holy Spirit spoke immediately, "To protect the city." It was clear they were linked together, as if to seal the borders and deny entry to whoever or whatever was trying to penetrate.
I then felt to decree from Revelation 19, "Spirit of prophecy, be released! Testimony of Jesus, be released!"
Keeping Watch
Lets continue to pray for Washington DC, especially related to these issues. It's important to understand that the "brewing process" is played out over time! In other words, we might be praying now by the Holy Spirit to circumvent disasters planned for the future.
- Capitol Hill Prayer Partners aligns itself with Jon Hamill and the work of Lamplighter Ministries. We felt that this word was important enough to post tonight as we close out this week's OCAP. Thank you for standing in agreement with Jon's prayer request for our nation's capital in this hour. Amen.
- "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
The Executive Branch
1. AT THE G8: ALLIES ON "IRREVERSIBLE" COURSE TO END AFGHAN WAR
2. ANOTHER E.O.: PROMOTING AN INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY SYSTEM
3. SPY DRONES SET TO TAKE TO THE SKIES
4. OBAMA CITIZEN-DETENTION PLAN IN TROUBLE
5. A DOZEN FEDERAL LAWSUITS CHALLENGE HEALTH CARE MANDATE
6. REVERSING DOMA: OBAMA ORDERS VIOLATION OF LAWS
7. CHINA CAN NOW BUY U.S. DEBT STRAIGHT FROM TREASURY
8. MEDIA'S KENYAN COVER-UP: OBAMA'S PAST IGNORED
9. SHERIFF ARPAIO FINDS BIRTH CERTIFICATE ALLIES IN CONGRESS
10. OBAMA IMPEACHMENT BILL GOES VIRAL
1. AT THE G8: ALLIES ON "IRREVERSIBLE" COURSE TO END AFGHAN WAR
Obama and leaders around the globe locked down an exit path from the war in Afghanistan, affirming Monday that they will close the largely stalemated conflict at the end of 2014, a strategy that means their troops will still be fighting and dying for another two-plus years.
Gathered in Obama's hometown, the sprawling coalition of 50 NATO members and allies declared an "irreversible transition" that will put Afghan forces in the lead of the combat mission by the middle of next year.
Even in a backup role, though, the U.S. forces and all the rest will still face combat and attacks until the war's end. (CNSNews.com) Read more.
- Ask for God's perfect will to reign over this complicated issue.
- "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:10)
2. ANOTHER E.O.: PROMOTING AN INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY SYSTEM
Forces the Nation to Follow Global Economic Regulations
On May 1st, President Barack Obama signed a new Executive Order which opens the door for the United States to give up economic and environmental sovereignty through the promotion of a single international regulatory system. This regulatory system would seek to gobally streamline cooperation between nations for trade, environmental, and legislative processes on the international stage.
The goal of many global leaders and central banks is the facilitation of a singular economic system, where financial and economic decisions are made from a single body. The formation of the G-20, as well as annual meetings by economic leaders in Davos, Switzerland, promote and create policies that bind nations to trade and regulatory processes without acceptance by legislative representatives.
Every day, more and more economic sovereignty is being signed away by the Obama Administration, with the intention of facilitating a new global economic system whereby the American people and American businesses no longer have the right of due process in the US legal system, but instead are bound under international law and regulation. This new Executive Order signed by President Obama on May 1st is another move towards global governance, and the loss of economic sovereignty for the citizens of the United States. (The Examiner; excerpt) Read more.
Read the Edict (Executive order)
- Every Executive Order is tightening the noose around the neck of our nation, so that we are no longer able to function as "one nation under God" but rather being forced to function as "One Nation under Obama." These strangling regulations were never the intent of our founders, nor Should it be the intent of those who govern us today. It's time to take a stand. Pray, and act. Remember when you vote in November the "track record" of each candidate. Vote wisely!
- "The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth." (Proverbs 10:30)
3. SPY DRONES SET TO TAKE TO THE SKIES
When Obama signed the "FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012" into law on February 14, he opened up the skies for a broad expansion of the use of drones over the skies of America -- in the name of "security," of course. Beginning next month, drones will begin flying all across America. These remote-controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's), or "drones," will be at altitudes under 400 feet. They won't just carry cameras, mind-you . . . these drones can carry weapons, too, as well as equipment capable of intercepting electronic communications and cellphone calls.
And, the Air Force has just announced that they can keep any personal information they collect for 90 days . . .and they can review that information to make sure you are not a terrorist threat. They say, "Collected imagery may incidentally include US persons or private property without consent." They will then analyze their tapes, to see if "persons or organizations reasonably believed to be engaged or about to engage, in international terrorist or international narcotics activities."
Our Fourth Amendment was written to protect us from police excess and police mistakes: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
In America's growing police state, officers are becoming the law, and our Constitutional rights cease to exist. (Conservative Action Alerts)
- This is a rather alarming development, and one which requires our prayers. Again, pray that Congress would raise its voice to put brakes on this program, until our own constitutional freedoms can be guaranteed. To judge a person who may be "about to engage" in terrorist activity is to establish a virtual office of "pre-crime," and would make any citizen vulnerable to such monitoring. Enough is enough. Through prayer, draw a line in the sand against this looming threat to our liberty. Pray!
- "The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted." (Proverbs 10:24)
4. OBAMA CITIZEN-DETENTION PLAN IN TROUBLE
Administration refuses to say writers' 1st Amendment rights protected
A district-court judge has suspended enforcement of a law that could strip U.S. citizens of their civil rights and allow indefinite detention of individuals President Obama believes to be in support of terror. The Obama administration has refused to ensure that the First Amendment rights of authors and writers who express contrary positions or report on terror group activities are protected under his new National Defense Authorization Act.
Targeted in the stunning ruling from U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest of New York was Paragraph 1021 of the NDAA, which Obama signed into law last Dec. 31. The vague provision appears to allow for the suspension of civil rights for, and indefinite detention of, those individuals targeted by the president as being in support of terror.
Forrest found that the plaintiffs had a reasonable fear of detention based on the language of the statute. She ordered the provision not to be enforced until further proceedings in her court or "remedial" action by Congress that would restore those protections. (WorldNetDaily) Read more.
- Father, thank You for this court injunction. We pray that You will stop the current version of the NDAA, and protect the rights and freedom of American citizens. We pray, too, for protection for Judge Katherine Forrest and for the members of her household. We ask You to send Your angels to keep watch over her, that no harm befall her nor any plague come nigh her tent. In Jesus' Name, we ask these prayers, amen.
- "He will guard the feet of His saints, but the wicked shall be silent in darkness."
[1 Samuel 2:9]
5. A DOZEN FEDERAL LAWSUITS CHALLENGE HEALTH CARE MANDATE
In a sweeping defense of religious freedom, 43 Catholic entities - including the University of Notre Dame - filed 12 federal lawsuits on Monday challenging a government mandate that they cover contraceptives and possible abortion-causing drugs in their health plans. It is a compelling display of the unity of the Church in defense of religious liberty," said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in a statement. The Catholic Church joins other religious groups and businesses in opposing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate that all employers provide coverage for contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-causing drugs. They contend the mandate violates the First Amendment. (CitizenLink)
- Lift up a chorus of praise for this bold move by the 43 Catholic institutions names in this suit. By drawing a line in the sand against the evil of the mandate, they can only heap blessings upon themselves. May many other bold voices come forth in the days ahead to confront this very wicked piece of legislation. Amen.
- "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1)
6. REVERSING DOMA: OBAMA ORDERS VIOLATION OF LAWS
DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, is the law of the land. DOMA defines marriage as between one man and one woman and specifically states that the federal government will not recognize any other type of union. President Barack Obama has now ordered the military to perform same-sex marriages, even in states where same-sex marriage is constitutionally forbidden. As president, it is Barack Obama's duty to uphold the law, not to order others to violate it. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
- Lord, we come before Your throne of grace and plead for mercy! We know this is extreme wickedness and weep for forgiveness for our laziness as this evil has arisen in our nation. We ask that Your right hand extend out and cut this evil down! May You send Your angels to protect Your remnant in the military in this hour, In Jesus' Name, we ask this prayer, amen and amen.
- "Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, that they may know that this is Your hand - that You, Lord, have done it!" (Psalm 109:26-27)
7. CHINA CAN NOW BUY U.S. DEBT STRAIGHT FROM TREASURY
U.S. lets China bypass Wall Street for Treasury orders
China can now bypass Wall Street when buying U.S. government debt and go straight to the U.S. Treasury, in what is the Treasury's first-ever direct relationship with a foreign government, according to documents viewed by Reuters. The other central banks, including the Bank of Japan, which has a large appetite for Treasuries, place orders for U.S. debt with major Wall Street banks designated by the government as primary dealers. Documents dealing with China's new status as a direct bidder again demonstrate the Treasury's desire for secrecy -- in terms of Wall Street and its new direct bidding customer.
The Treasury's sales of U.S. debt to China have become part of a politically charged public debate about China's role as the largest exporter to the United States and also the country's largest creditor. The privilege may help China obtain U.S. debt for a better price by keeping Wall Street's knowledge of its orders to a minimum. (Reuters; Washington Times) Read more here and here.
- Stand in the gap and offer a prayer of repentance that we are now a nation so far in debt that we must strike this kind of deal with any foreign power. The nation that owns your money owns you. Cry out for mercy; perhaps our Lord would yet provide a way of escape from this terrible monetary bondage.
- "Owe nothing to anyone--except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law." (Romans 13:8 NLT)
8. MEDIA'S KENYAN COVER-UP: OBAMA'S PAST IGNORED
Even Obama campaign enters Kenya arena
A promotional booklet produced in 1991 by Obama's literary agency listed the future president as "born in Kenya" until 2007. An Associated Press article called Obama a "Kenyan-born US Senate hopeful" in 2004. With all of the questions surfacing now - more than three years into Obama's first term as president - one thing is certain: Media failed the American people.
Attack Watch is paid for and an extension of Obama for America, which is part of BarackObama.com, the online campaign hub for the White House. That means that the Obama campaign itself has decided to comment on the Breitbart News' exclusive surrounding a 1991 booklet published by President Obama's literary agency that falsely claimed the President was born in Kenya.
[What] the Obama camp won't tell you is that Breitbart News made numerous attempts to contact the literary agency without any kind of response. Once the agency finally released a statement, we published it. (Washington Times) Read more here and here.
- Lift up the Fourth Estate in our nation, America's media, and intercede for deception to be bound and truth to flow freely in both broadcast and in print journalism. One signature of dictatorships is a tightly controlled media: one whose sole purpose is to serve as the mouthpiece for the one in power . . . a propaganda machine.
Lift up the leaders of all news networks, bind the spirit of intimidation and greed that may be resting upon each one, and loose the spirit of liberty in Christ Jesus to direct their thoughts and their actions. May the boardrooms of every news source be flooded with the presence of our Savior, and may these men and women be set free to broadcast the truth, and only the truth, to our people! Let it be so, Lord God! In His Name, amen.
- "He whom the Son sets free is free indeed!" (John 8:36)
9. SHERIFF ARPAIO FINDS BIRTH CERTIFICATE ALLIES IN CONGRESS
Maricopa County, Ariz. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is pleased that at least two Republican congressmen have publicly expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Obama's birth certificate. Last week Missouri Rep. Vicky Hartzler told the Sedalia Democrat, "I have doubts that it is really his real birth certificate, and I think a lot of Americans do." In February Florida Rep. Cliff Stearns told constituents at a town hall meeting, "The question is, is it legitimate? That's where we stand now."
In a statement provided to The Daily Caller, Arpaio applauded the two congressmen. "I appreciate these two representatives having the courage to speak out about the legitimacy of the Obama Birth Certificate released by the White House," Arpaio said. (The Daily Caller) Read more.
- Ask our Lord to move upon the hearts of many members of Congress, so that a congressional hearing about this matter will be held. Indeed, with all the controversy surrounding this birth certificate, one wonders why this hearing has not been already been held. Pray, too, that all pertinent facts regarding the truth about this document be brought to light during this hearing, and that no deception or cover-up would prevail.
After prayer, why not call your own member of Congress and ask him or her to support a hearing on this matter. Be polite in your inquiry, and keep your comments brief . . . even write down what you intend to say before you make the call. The number of the Capitol Switchboard is: 202-224-2131. The operator will then direct you to the office of the member you wish to reach. May our Lord bless you as you pray and take action on the "birther" issue that is now before us all. In His Name, amen.
- "Thy people will volunteer freely in the day of Thy power." (Psalm 110:3 NAS)
10. OBAMA IMPEACHMENT BILL GOES VIRAL
Alex Jones speaks with Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. about H.CON.RES.107 -- a bill that deems the use of offensive military force by a President without prior and clear authorization of an Act of Congress an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor under article II, section 4 of the Constitution. (Hebrew Nation News)
Watch this interview by going here.
NOTE: This bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and has seven cosponsors, as follows: Representatives Dan Benishek, Dan Burton, Mike Coffman, John J. Duncan, Jr., Louie Gohmert, Tom McClintock, and Reid Ribble, Reid J.
- Pray that H.Con.Res.107 gains full support in the House towards passage into law.
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
HORN OF SALVATION
(Keh-ren Yeesh-ee)
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2)
As the priest would grab onto the horns of the altar when he prayed, I grab onto You, O Lord. You are my help, My deliverer, You give me liberty and favor. Thank You that You have my best interests at heart. How I love Your name.
"Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence." (Psalm 140:13)
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
• Focus on International Banking News
• This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Partners in Prayer for the Nation"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
On Capitol Hill This Week Volume XIX, Number 13aMay 14 - 18, 2012
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. (Psalm 2:1-4)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. NETANYAHU SAYS BROADER COALITION ENHANCES PEACE PROSPECTS
2. TIME MAGAZINE CROWNS NETANYAHU AS THE 'KING OF ISRAEL'
3. U.S. ATTACK PREPARATIONS FINALIZED
4. US CONGRESS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON LEGISLATING FOR WAR WITH IRAN
5. BARAK: TALKS WILL ALLOW TEHRAN TO DECEIVE WORLD
6. IRAN TO HIZBULLAH: DON'T STRIKE ISRAEL
7. EGYPT'S ABDUL FOTOUH: ISRAEL TREATY IS SECURITY THREAT"
8. DRAWING REVEALS IRANIAN SECRET NUCLEAR WEAPONS WORK
9. CHRISTIANS, JEWS TO UNITE AGAINST ISLAM
10. OBAMA PREDICTS 'HARD DAYS AHEAD' IN AFGHANISTAN AT NATO SUMMIT OPENING
1. NETANYAHU SAYS BROADER COALITION ENHANCES PEACE PROSPECTS
Israel's new national unity government is creating an opportunity to advance the peace process, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wrote to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. In a letter delivered to PA headquarters in Ramallah by his special envoy Isaac Molho, Netanyahu said negotiations should resume as soon as possible. Molho and Abbas met for 90 minutes and afterwards the two sides also issued a joint statement acknowledging their obligation to achieve peace.
Netanyahu recruited the centrist Kadima Party to his coalition last week, expanding his parliamentary majority and diluting the power of coalition partners skeptical of peace talks. A source who saw the letter that Netanyahu sent to Abbas said it included an official pledge by Netanyahu, for the first time in an official state document, to establish a demilitarized Palestinian state in keeping with the principle of a two-state solution. (By The Media Line, May 15, 2012)
- Pray for the success of this new coalition. Pray that both parties will put the nation's need for unity first and lay aside agendas that cause division, creating a strong government that is able to tackle the issues that threaten the state's very existence.
- "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:10-11)
2. TIME MAGAZINE CROWNS NETANYAHU AS THE 'KING OF ISRAEL'
Managing Editor Rick Stengel holds an exclusive interview with the Israeli PM after he created a 94-member coalition with the centrist Kadima party; Netanyahu tells TIME the Palestinians 'will never have a better partner than me. 'TIME magazine has crowned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the 'king of Israel' in its cover story this week, which profiles Netanyahu and marks his recent feat - brokering a 94-member coalition with the rival Kadima party. In the article, Managing Editor Rick Stengel outlines Netanyahu's recent achievements and explains why he is worthy of the title of 'King of Israel.' "Netanyahu is poised to become the longest-serving Israeli Prime Minister since David Ben-Gurion, the founding father of Israel. He has no national rival," Stengel writes. "His approval rating, roughly 50%, is at an all-time high. At a moment when incumbents around the world are being shunted aside, he is triumphant. With his bullet-proof majority, he has a chance to turn himself into the historic figure he has always yearned to be. He has become, as some commentators have dubbed him, the King of Israel."
Stengel also inquired about Netanyahu's much talked about relationship with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, to which the prime minister replied that he has only seen Romney a handful of times over the years and only once this year, when they spoke for 10 minutes, mainly about Iran. (Haaretz)
- Continue to pray for humility and wisdom for Netanyahu, as he continues his leadership of Israel. Pray for the Palestinians to recognize and respect Bibi's attributes. Ask the Lord to increase the Israelis' confidence in Bibi and to support him. Praise the Lord that TIME is recognizing Bibi for whatever reasons; at least TIME brings to the public, news of Israel and its Prime Minister!
- "But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." ( 1 Samuel 17: 45b)
3. U.S. ATTACK PREPARATIONS FINALIZED
The American ambassador to Israel said this week that not only was America willing to use military force to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, but that preparations had already been made for a possible attack. "It would be preferable to resolve this diplomatically and through the use of pressure than to use military force," the ambassador, Dan Shapiro, said at a meeting Tuesday of the Israeli bar association. "But that doesn't mean that option is not fully available. And not just available, but it's ready. The necessary planning has been done to ensure that it's ready."
While American leaders, including President Obama and his defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have frequently said all options are on the table regarding Iran, the notion of specific plans being made is not something they typically talk about. In fact, at a March speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobby, Mr. Obama warned that "loose talk of war" could actually speed Tehran's move toward weaponization, saying "now is not the time for bluster." (NY Times)
- Praise the Lord that American officials are willing to help Israel should Iran fulfill its plans to attack Israel! Pray into these plans so they never have to be used, and that Iran is intimidated sufficiently to avoid using nuclear weapons against Israel. The Iranians have fallen under the curse of Genesis 12:3; therefore, we can now pray that the leaders of Iran will be removed from any power to wage war.
- "They encourage themselves in an evil matter; they talk of laying snares secretly - But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded." (Psalm 64: 5a, 7a)
4. US CONGRESS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON LEGISLATING FOR WAR
WITH IRAN
This week, Congress is considering two pieces of legislation relating to Iran. The first undermines a diplomatic solution with Iran and lowers the bar for war. The second authorizes a war of choice against Iran and begins military preparations for it. H.Res.568: Eliminating the Most Viable Alternative to War - The House is expected to vote on H.Res. 568. Read the resolution. Section (6) rejects any United States policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons-capable Iran. Section (7) urges the President to reaffirm the unacceptability of an Iran with nuclear-weapons capability and opposition to any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to Iranian enrichment.
This language represents a significant shift in U.S. policy and would guarantee that talks with Iran, currently scheduled for May 23, would fail. Current U.S. policy is that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons. Instead, H. Res. 568 draws the "redline" for military action at Iran achieving a nuclear weapons "capability," a nebulous and undefined term that could include a civilian nuclear program. Indeed, it is likely that a negotiated deal to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and to prevent war would provide for Iranian enrichment for peaceful purposes under the framework of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty with strict safeguards and inspections. This language makes such a negotiated solution impossible. At the same time, the language lowers the threshold for attacking Iran. Countries with nuclear weapons "capability" could include many other countries like Japan or Brazil. It is an unrealistic threshold. The Former Chief of Staff of Secretary of State Colin Powell has stated that this resolution "reads like the same sheet of music that got us into the Iraq war."
H.R. 4310: Authorizing War Against Iran and Preparing the Military for it. While H. Res. 568 undermines our diplomatic efforts and lowers the bar for war, H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 begins military preparations for war. Section 1221 makes military action against Iran a U.S. policy. Section 1222 directs our armed forces to prepare for war. (Huffington Post)
- Ask the Lord for wisdom upon our Congressional leaders as they consider these bills. They seem the result of frustration with "diplomacy-only" approach of the current administration. Ask the Lord also to bring the European nations into any action concerning Iran. Because the House applauded Netanyahu, we know that the American Congress stands with Israel and will do what is necessary to protect Israel. We want to be under God's blessings in standing up for Israel. If passing these bills is according to God's will- we want these bills to be airtight - so that no one can find loopholes and betray the House.
- Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." (Proverbs 16: 3)
5. BARAK: TALKS WILL ALLOW TEHRAN TO DECEIVE WORLD
Defense Minister Ehud Barak expressed on Wednesday night [May 16] his concern that negotiations between Iran and the Western powers will result in agreements that will allow Tehran to deceive the world and advance its nuclear program. In an interview with CNN, Barak said that Israel is concerned that Iran would not be contained, adding that Jerusalem trusts the US to set the bar that will prevent Iran from achieving military nuclear capabilities. In Washington DC for a meeting with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and other officials, Barak placed an emphasis on the international community combining forces in an effort to foil Iran's nuclear progress. "It's about a real challenge to the whole world, not just Israel. I think a nuclear Iran will change the whole landscape of the Middle East. We have to do something to block it from happening," Barak said.
Barak further said that Israel had not ruled out a military operation against Iran's nuclear facilities. "The real challenge now is the negotiations with Iran," said the minister, but emphasized that Israel reserves the right to defend itself against Iran. Nuclear talks between Iran and the six world powers are scheduled to take place on May 23 in Baghdad. In the interview, Barak noted that "Israel strongly believes and relies on the US and the other members of the P5 plus 1, and expects them to set the bar at a place where it will block Iran from turning military nuclear. There is a need to stop enriching uranium, to 20%, or even 3.5%," said Israel's defense minister. "To take all the enriched uranium out of the country," he clarified.
During his trip to the US, Barak also plans to meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and National Security Advisor in the Obama Administration, Tom Donilon. Barak is scheduled to meet with Panetta at the Pentagon on Thursday in order to finalize a deal in which the United States will provide an additional $680 million to Israel over three years. The money is meant to help pay for procuring three or four new batteries and interceptors for Israel's Iron Dome short-range rocket defense program and other missile defense systems. The Iron Dome funds, already in legislation before Congress, will be on top of the $3.1 billion in military aid grants being provided to Israel in 2013. (Yitzhak Benhorin, Ynetnews, May 17, 2012)
- Pray that the nations will not be so deceived by Iran's new openness to talk - that they recognize the "talk" as nothing more than a delay tactic.
- "Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; he devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand." (Isaiah 32:7-8)
6. IRAN TO HIZBULLAH: DON'T STRIKE ISRAEL
Iran scared of war against Israel? A senior Iranian official ordered Hizbullah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah to refrain from striking Israel, several media outlets in Iran reported Wednesday. Web sites affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards quoted the commander of Iran's al-Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, as warning Nasrallah not to strike Israel during a phone conversation.
According to reports, Soleimani told Nasrallah that a war against Israel would "hurt Iran and Hizbullah." The Fares news agency reported earlier that Soleimani warned Nasrallah not to make "radical" moves, adding that the authority of those who think of launching a sudden attack against the "Zionist regime" should be curbed.
Notably, last week Nasrallah said that, as opposed to the Second Lebanon War, Hizbullah now possesses the ability to hit specific Tel Aviv targets. According to Wednesday's reports, Soleimani said that a war would allow Israel to assume the role of victim. However, the reports apparently angered senior Iranian officials, and several hours later the Revolutionary Guards denied the story, claiming it was a "big lie published on behalf of the Zionists." According to the announcement, the West has been trying for some time to portray Hizbullah as a "two-faced organization." In the framework of his post, Soleimani is in charge of the Revolutionary Guards' elite force, which among other things is in charge of coordination terror activity beyond Iran's borders.(By Dudi Cohen, Ynetnews, May 16, 2012)
- Pray that God will give great wisdom and insight to Israel's top military leaders as they continue to make plans to protect the nation against the increasing threat of a Hizbullah attack in the North.
- "When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things," (Proverbs 2:10-12)
7. EGYPT'S ABDUL FOTOUH: ISRAEL TREATY IS SECURITY "THREAT"
Israel is a "racist state" and Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with it is "a national security threat" that must be "revised," declared Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, a front runner in the Egyptian presidential elections next week. In an interview with the private Egyptian television channel CBC, Aboul Fotouh said he had opposed the 1979 Camp David peace treaty from the start. In a televised debate with his main contender, former Arab League chief Amr Moussa, Aboul Fotouh described Israel as an "enemy." Moussa has also argued for the revision of the treaty with Israel and describes its policies towards Palestinians as an Egyptian "national security issue."
The U.S. regards the bilateral treaty as a lynchpin of its Middle East strategy and has urged the candidates to respect it, but for now, the State Department is taking it in stride. "People say things in a campaign, and then when they get elected, they actually have to govern," spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. (By The Media Line, May 15, 2012)
- This election is critical for Egypt and Israel. Pray that this man will not be elected, and that the Egyptian people will realize the benefits of continuing a peace treaty with Israel. Pray for Israel's Southern Command as they have to now bolster their defenses in the South in preparation for a questionable future with Egypt.
- "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."(Daniel 2:20-21)
8. DRAWING REVEALS IRANIAN SECRET NUCLEAR WEAPONS WORK
A U.S. security institute says commercial satellite imagery shows new activity at an Iranian military site which raises concern that the country may be "washing" a building the United Nations' nuclear agency wants to inspect.
"The new activity seen in the satellite image occurred outside a building suspected to contain an explosive chamber used to carry out nuclear weapons related experiments," it said on its website in a May 8 report including the satellite image.
The Associated Press reported that a drawing based on information from inside an Iranian military site shows an explosives containment chamber of the type needed for nuclear arms-related tests that U.N. inspectors suspect Tehran has conducted there. Iran denies such testing and has neither confirmed nor denied the existence of such a chamber.
The computer-generated drawing was provided to The Associated Press by an official of a country tracking Iran's nuclear program who said it proves the structure exists, despite Tehran's refusal to acknowledge it.
The IAEA has been stonewalled by Iran for more than four years in attempts to probe what it says is intelligence from member states strongly suggesting that Iran secretly worked on developing nuclear weapons. (Contributors: Gulf Times, Washington Post, YNet News, Associated Press and George Jahn)
- Ask the Lord to further expose the secrets regarding Iran's nuclear weapons development. Pray for God's intervention in protecting those vulnerable to an Iranian assault in other countries in the region - especially Israel. Please continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
- "Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem." (Zechariah 1:17)
9. CHRISTIANS, JEWS TO UNITE AGAINST ISLAM
Last Wednesday [May 9] in Rome, Jewish leaders for the first time rallied alongside Christians in a candlelit vigil to denounce the attacks in the Middle East and Africa. It was "interfaith" or "ecumenical" dialogue at its best. Forget the theological questions, which remain unsolvable.
There is an urgent mutual solidarity about the single most defining issue of our time: religious freedom. It is about the right to life of Jews and Christians in an Islamicized Middle East. Speaking at the Coliseum, Rome's Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni slammed Western "indifference" surrounding the massacre of minorities in the Middle East.
While the West is now endlessly focused on "Islamophobia," a potential genocidal Christianophobia is spreading through Islamic lands. And as the rally in the Coliseum has clearly shown, it pairs up with another kind of hatred: Judeophobia.
Christians should see Israel as the first line of Western defense in the battle for non-Muslim survival and prosperity in the world. The sagacious American author Eric Hoffer, longshoreman-philosopher from San Francisco, gave voice to a profound and tragic Holocaust-related 20th-century truth: "I have a premonition that will not leave me, as it goes with Israel so will it go with all of us." (Excerpts of an article by Giulio Meotti, Ynetnews, May 12, 2012) READ MORE:
- Praise God for the Jews who stood with Christians in this effort to showcase Christian persecution in Islamic lands. Pray for the persecuted Christians in these lands.
- "Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; oh, sing praises to the Lord - O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!" (Psalm 68:32,35)
10. OBAMA PREDICTS 'HARD DAYS AHEAD' IN AFGHANISTAN AT NATO SUMMIT OPENING
The NATO alliance that has fought for a decade in Afghanistan is helping that nation shift toward stability and peace, but there will be "hard days ahead," Obama said Sunday in Chicago as alliance leaders insisted the fighting coalition will remain effective despite France's plans to yank combat troops out early.
With a global economic crisis and waning public support for the war in the backdrop, world leaders opened a NATO summit confronted by questions about Afghanistan's post-conflict future: money for security forces, coming elections and more. They were also papering over the crack in the fighting alliance with the planned French withdrawal.
The end of the war is in sight, Obama said following a lengthy discussion with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the sidelines of the NATO summit. The military alliance is pledged to remain in Afghanistan into 2014, but will seal plans Sunday and Monday to shift foreign forces off the front lines a year faster than once planned.
Afghan forces will take the lead throughout the nation next year, instead of in 2014, despite uneven performance under U.S. and other outside tutelage so far. The shift is in large part a response to plummeting public support for the war in Europe and the United States, contributors of most of the 130,000 foreign troops now fighting the Taliban-led insurgency. A majority of Americans now say the war is unwinnable or not worth continuing. Karzai said his nation is looking forward to the end of war, "so that Afghanistan is no longer a burden on the shoulder of our friends in the international community, on the shoulders of the United States and our other allies."
- Here is the new Socialist president of France saying that he will pull French troops from NATO and the war in Afghanistan Pray that France can and will extricate itself from its selfish attitudes. France has a part to play in this war against the despicable Taliban. Pray for wisdom in the discussions of the members of NATO so that righteous moves are made and then for the commitments to be fulfilled. Pray for respect for our president from NATO, not because of who he is but for the health and security of America. Ask the Lord for truth and honesty in this G-8 summit.
- "In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you." (Isaiah 54: 14)
Focus on International Banking News
1. SILENCE ON CHINA TAKEOVER OF SOME U.S. BANKS
2. EUROPE'S DEBT CRISIS JOINS GOVERNMENTS AND BANKS AT THE HIP
3. EX-ECB HEAD UNVEILS BOLD PLAN TO SAVE THE EURO
1. SILENCE ON CHINA TAKEOVER OF SOME U.S. BANKS
U.S. legislators have been unusually silent about federal regulators' decision to allow a Chinese bank to take over 13 bank branches in New York and California, suggesting that they think American banks have much to gain. It will buy up to 80 percent of the U.S. unit of the Hong Kong-based Bank of East Asia, which operates 13 branches in New York and California. According to the Fed the bank has total assets of roughly $2.5 trillion.
A Federal Reserve decision to let Chinese banks acquire U.S. lenders is finally being challenged by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who said it could open the way for Chinese government-run institutions to undercut U.S. banks. "I worry that these banks and their U.S. subsidiaries will use their state support as a way to under price U.S. banks," Casey, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, said in a letter Thursday to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) won approval from the Fed on Wednesday to buy a U.S. lender in the biggest opening of the American banking market to Chinese companies. The Fed allowed ICBC to operate as a bank holding company, buying a controlling stake in Bank of East Asia's U.S. unit. The Fed also let Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China open U.S. branches.
The decision marks the first time that regulators have allowed a Chinese bank to buy a majority stake in a U.S. depository institution. ICBC Chairman Jiang Jianqing has spent more than $6 billion on acquisitions in regions spanning Asia to South Africa and the Americas over the past three years, seeking to triple the share of profit coming from abroad to 10 percent.
One of the very few lawmakers to speak out has been Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), who has a separate beef with the Fed over monetary policy and is holding up two nominees to its board of governors. And even he limited his response to a Tweet - two days after the announcement. "In midst of my dispute w/ Fed," Vitter wrote on Twitter, "news they're allowing China banks to takeover American financial institutes & enter banking market - bad news."
Vitter, the top Republican on the Senate banking panel's subcommittee on economic policy expanded when pressed by The Hill. "I think the Fed will have a difficult time explaining that allowing Chinese state-backed banks to takeover American banks is what our market needs," he said in a statement. "They owe Congress an explanation of their decision and I plan on asking for it."
Meanwhile in the House, the chairman of the Financial Services Committee's panel on International Monetary Policy and Trade scheduled a hearing on the decision for Wednesday. But even that hearing aims to assess U.S. banks' access to the Chinese market rather than criticize the Fed's decision.
"I was very surprised by the Federal Reserve's decision to open the doors to China's banking system," Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) told The Hill in a statement. "I have called a hearing of [my] subcommittee . . . because Congress needs to know if the Obama Administration is giving away the store in its negotiations with China. What I want to know is, do American banks have access to China's markets? Are we giving Chinese banks better access than China gives American banks?" (Intercessors for America)
- Ask the Lord to give wisdom to our legislators on how best to address this potential threat to our already troubled economy. Pray that the Lord will grant insights to our legislators who have oversight of these important banking industry decisions.
- "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but the thoughts of everyone who is hasty only to poverty." (Proverbs 21:5)
2. EUROPE'S DEBT CRISIS JOINS GOVERNMENTS AND BANKS AT THE HIP
The alarm over potential bank runs in Greece and Spain this week has highlighted an often-overlooked fact: Europe's debt crisis is also, in many ways, a major banking crisis. In capitals such as Athens, Madrid and Rome, large portions of the sovereign debt racked up by spendthrift governments are owed to the countries' own banks, locking governments and the banks in an embrace so tight that disaster for one would almost certainly spell doom for the other. International bailouts for Greece, Ireland and Portugal have helped to keep not just their governments but also their banks afloat, as well as financial institutions in other parts of Europe with large exposure to those nations' debts.
Though worried investors have mostly focused on the dire consequences of government default, reports of depositors pulling out large sums in Greece and Spain are shifting attention to those beleaguered banking systems and the catastrophic effects of a full-on run. On Friday, the Fitch ratings agency downgraded the creditworthiness of five Greek banks. That followed a similar demotion of 16 Spanish financial institutions by the Moody's ratings firm Thursday evening. Neither of the two Mediterranean nations is yet experiencing anything close to a major run on their banks, analysts say. There are no lines of frightened customers desperate to withdraw cash, and the banks in both countries together hold hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of euros. But with the euro crisis having reached yet another feverish pitch, stock markets and the values of banking shares are yo-yoing wildly. "It's the uncertainty that's the principal reason for alarm in this," Iain Begg, an expert on European economy and finance at the London School of Economics, said Friday.
In many ways, Spain has become the epitome of a banking system in distress. Its financial institutions are weighed down by bad real estate loans left over from a property boom-gone-bust and by huge holdings of government debt. Spanish banks now hold the majority of the country's treasury bonds. "It's very unsafe for a bank to buy debt in its own government, because it's like putting all your eggs in one basket," said Rolf Campos, an economist at Spain's IESE Business School. The outcome "depends on whether you drop the basket or not." "If Spain is able to pay off its debt, then it won't be a problem. But if Spain has to default on some of its debt, which is not likely but is possible, it will have been a very bad investment decision." (Los Angeles Times) Read more.
- Some of this debt results from socialistic attitudes of the governments - the nanny state. Now people rely on the "nanny" to supply all their needs from cradle to grave, and whine because the government debt cannot provide. Jesus came "to set the captive free." Unfortunately the people do not realize that they have been wrapped in the spider's web.
Pray that the people avoid rioting but take responsibility for their own well-being. Pray that the churches in Europe start preaching about God's plan for self support (and His support). Too many churches and cathedrals are tourist attractions only with repetitious litanies. Pray for honesty and wisdom as banks grapple with their fragile ties to their governments..
- "The Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84: 11)
3. EX-ECB HEAD UNVEILS BOLD PLAN TO SAVE THE EURO
Europe could strengthen its monetary union by giving European politicians the power to declare a sovereign state bankrupt and take over its fiscal policy, the former head of the European Central Bank said on Thursday in unveiling a bold proposal to salvage the euro. The plan offered by Jean-Claude Trichet, who stepped down last November as ECB president, would address a fundamental weakness of the 13-year-old single currency, the survival of which is threatened by the Greek crisis.
The monetary union has always defied economic principles, because the euro was launched ahead of European fiscal or political union. This has caused strains for countries running huge budget deficits - namely Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Italy - that have led to financing difficulties and over-stretched banking systems. For the European Union, a fully fledged United States of Europe where nation states cede a large chunk of fiscal authority to the federal government appears politically unpalatable, Trichet said. "An alternative is to activate the EU federal powers only in exceptional circumstances when a country's budgetary policies threaten the broader monetary union."
Federation by exception seems to me not only necessary to make sure we have a solid Economic and Monetary Union, but it might also fit with the very nature of Europe in the long run. I don't think we will have a big (centralized) EU budget," Trichet said in a speech before the Peterson Institute of International Economics here. "It is a quantum leap of governance, which I trust is necessary for the next step of European integration," he said. His proposal was presented in Washington on the eve of the G8 meeting of the world's major economies, hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama, who will press Europe to intensify its efforts to resolve the sovereign debt crisis, which threatens a fragile global recovery.
The proposal also comes ahead of a critical meeting of EU leaders on May 23 to discuss ways to support growth. Its strict budgetary policies to date have led to recessions in many countries, political unrest and in Greece a political stalemate after recent elections. Trichet said the building blocks already are in place for moving ahead with his fiscal plan. Countries have agreed to surveillance of each other's budgets, and they have agreed to levy fines on countries that run excessive budget deficits, giving them fiscal oversight authority.
The idea earned a warm reception from leading economists and prominent Europeans attending the session. "It is a very radical proposal, couched as a modest step," said Richard Cooper, international economist at Harvard.
Caio Koch Weser, former German economics minister, said he found it "very attractive" because it addresses the problem of a strong European Central Bank, a weak European Commission which acts as the EU's executive branch, and a confused European Council, which provides political leadership. (Reuters) Read more.
- Europe has been in a post-Christian attitude for several decades but with hot pockets of the Holy Spirit flaring up in a number of areas. Europe needs to return to God's Word to receive His blessings, monetarily and otherwise. Many European nations have now invited Moslems to become citizens, and socialism also became rampant. These nations have also turned against Israel. Without God's Word as guidance, Europe now finds itself in dire financial straits. Pray that Europe will have a "II Chronices7:14" revival. Ask the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit. Man's wisdom will not set the finances afresh, a lesson that most Europeans have forgotten. Only God can correct the errors.
- "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed." (Psalm 2:1,2)
On Capitol Hill This Week Volume XIX, Number 13b
DOMESTIC NEWS
The Legislative Branch
1. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS GIRD FOR "CHAOS" IN COMING SESSION
2. GOP HOUSE LEADERS PRESSURE HOLDER: COMPLY WITH SUBPEONA
3. SENATOR QUESTIONS $18B FOR JOB TRAINING; STUDY SUGGESTS RAMPANT WASTE
4. SENATE CONFIRMS OBAMA NOMINEES FOR FED BOARD
5. SENATE GOP LEADER MCCONNELL: AMERICA'S CHALLENGES ARE TOO SERIOUS TO IGNORE
6. TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR ABORTIONS
7. VISION: ANGELS SURROUNDING D.C.
1. CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS GIRD FOR "CHAOS" IN COMING SESSION
Chaos predicted for end-of-year, lame duck session
Republican and Democratic congressional leaders are stepping up their war of words over a looming lame-duck session that is already being described as "chaos in Congress," as they gird for a marathon debate tackling everything from the debt ceiling to hundreds of billions of dollars in scheduled tax hikes. At the center of the debate is the scheduled expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts. This, combined with other changes like the expiration of the payroll tax cut backed by President Obama, will add up to a roughly $310 billion tax hike, according to a letter penned by Senate Republicans this past week. "This would be, without any exaggeration, the largest tax increase in American history," they wrote.
With so much clumped on Congress' plate at the end of the year, leaders in both parties are calling on one another to begin dealing with the issues now -- as in, before the November election. They're also moving to insulate themselves politically, by claiming to take the initiative on problems that months from now could end in stalemate. Alan Simpson, the former Republican senator who co-chaired one of several deficit-reduction commissions that did not end up winning support from Congress or the president, earlier this week predicted the congressional session would be capped by a year-end, post-election brawl. "I think between November 6 and December 20, it's going to be chaos in Congress," he said. (Fox News) Read more.
- Our God is not a God of chaos and confusion, but of peace and order in all things. Every time you hear mention made of "chaos" or "confusion" in Congress, speak out loud: SHALOM . . . This is the peace that passes all understanding, and this is the peace our Father desires all of us to walk in now and forevermore. Amen.
- "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
2. GOP HOUSE LEADERS PRESSURE HOLDER: COMPLY WITH SUBPEONA
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder Friday morning demanding full cooperation with the ongoing investigation into the "Fast and Furious" operation and the death of Border Agent Brian Terry.
"The American people deserve to know how such a fundamentally flawed operation could have continued for so long and have a full accounting of who knew of and approved an operation that placed weapons in the hands of drug cartels," said the letter sent Friday by House Speaker Rep. John Boehner, House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor, House Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy, and Rep. Darrel Issa, chairman of the chamber's investigative committee.
Issa wants to put Holder in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with the October 2011 subpoena issued for the documents. House members say Holder has provided only select information, while the administration argues Holder has provided what is required for the congressional investigations.
Boehner said "Congress wants "to hold everyone at the Department of Justice and the administration accountable for what happened or what didn't happen" in the program. Among the key questions is which top officials knew about the failed program and when, and did the officials mislead Congress.
The letter states that the Department of Justice has not sufficiently complied with a Congressional subpoena seeking answers on the operation, and questions whether false information that was provided - and later withdrawn - was "was part of a broader effort by your Department to obstruct a Congressional investigation." (Christian Coalition of America; Fox News)
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF THE LETTER
- Pray that this material is released immediately to the House. It would appear that Holder is playing deceptive games with Congress and withholding information that might be damaging to the White House. If not, why is the Department of Justice dancing around the full facts of Fast and Furious? America has been a nation of law, and all officials must follow the law of the land. Of course, Mrs. Pelosi has lost credibility with the American people. Ask the Lord to expose the truth.
- "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage." ( 2 Peter 2:19)
3. SENATOR QUESTIONS $18B FOR JOB TRAINING; STUDY SUGGESTS RAMPANT WASTE,ABUSE
A study commissioned by Sen. Tom Coburn is casting doubt on whether taxpayers' $18 billion annual investment in federal jobs training programs is paying off.
"The vast majority of money we spend in job training doesn't go to job training, it goes to employ people in those job training federal programs," Coburn told Fox News.
The 2011 Government Accountability Office study he commissioned, which examined programs in fiscal year 2009, found an overlapping and duplicative maze of 47 federal jobs programs run by nine agencies. Some were rife with mismanagement, waste, fraud, abuse and corruption. (Fox News) Read more.
- Our Precious Lord, we come to You asking that You would make sure this matter of waste of money and resources would be fully investigated so that our government bureaucracies would be accountable for their spending. We thank you so much for watchful Congressmen who can see problems and bring them to light.
- "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked." (Psalms 29:27)
4. SENATE CONFIRMS OBAMA NOMINEES FOR FED BOARD
The US Senate voted by a wide-margin Thursday to confirm President Obama's nominees for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Harvard economist Jeremy Stein and investment banker Jerome Powell. The confirmation "overcame Republican objections and brought the seven-member board to full strength for the first time since 2006, before the economic crisis." Neither governor "has widely known views on the central policy questions facing the Fed: whether to take more action to reduce unemployment or whether the economy is already at risk of a dangerous acceleration of inflation." In a statement, the White House thanked lawmakers, saying: "Today's broad bipartisan vote in the Senate reflects their deep knowledge of economic and monetary policy, as well as their distinguished backgrounds and unique experience." (New York Times)
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal quotes confirmation critic Louisiana Sen. David Vitter (R) as saying on the Senate floor Thursday: Stein and Powell "clearly also support the current direction of Chairman [Ben] Bernanke and the Fed and for that reason I cannot support the nominations." Similarly, Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker (R) added on the Senate floor, "These two nominees candidly do not represent the kind of more hawkish position that I would like to see the Federal Reserve take where they're concerned about price stability over the long haul."
- Dear Lord, we ask that You would make a way for unfit nominees for federal positions to be rejected handily in the future. Lord, please keep a watch over the activities these two people engage in and put a stop to anything that would harm America. We pray for them to be given wisdom from above.
- "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, bull of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17)
5. SENATE GOP LEADER MCCONNELL: AMERICA'S CHALLENGES ARE TOO SERIOUS TO IGNORE
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the need for Senate Democrats to stop ducking responsibility on the serious and urgent problems facing the United States:
"Yesterday in the Senate, we got a vivid look at why the challenges we face in this country are so difficult to address: 1) "With a looming fiscal crisis some have called the most predictable in history. 2) "With a national debt at a level none of us ever imagined. 3) "With millions unemployed and millions more underemployed. 4) "With the biggest tax hike in history looming at the end of the year. 5) "And with entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security drawing closer every day to insolvency.
"Here's what Senate Democrats did yesterday: they ducked. They were presented with five different options for dealing with these problems, and they voted against every single one. "Now, no one was particularly surprised to see Democrats reject the Republicans proposals. We hoped that some of them would support them, but we weren't altogether surprised they didn't..But every American should be surprised that Democrats didn't offer a single plan of their own, and that they didn't even support the plan offered by a president of their own party. "But, sadly, that's what passes for leadership in the Democrat-led Senate these days: oppose everybody else -including a President of your own party- and hope nobody notices you're not doing anything yourself.
Most people would say it's the responsibility of the party in power to propose solutions. And they'd be right. "The problems we face are simply too serious and too urgent to avoid any longer. And yet Democrats continue to duck any responsibility for addressing them. We saw that yesterday. "I would imagine there are some Democrats this morning who are having second thoughts about their party's performance yesterday. And if I'm right about that, I invite them to stand up and work with us. "Put aside what's politically safe, and do what's right. The problems we face are too great to put off another day. It's time to come together and act." (Christian Coalition of America)
- We can understand the Senate Minority Leader's frustration with the current impasse, as outlined above. In this election year, pray the the majority party in the Senate will stop playing this game of "duck and cover," and stand up to its responsibility to offer solid solutions to the nation's economic ills. Pray in agreement that there will be some from the other side of the aisle who will join with the Republicans to forge a working alliance to get this job done. Continue to cry out before our Lord for mercy in this hour of judgment; perhaps He would relent and move upon the hearts of our leaders to actually lead, again.
- "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich." (Proverbs 10:4)
6. TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR ABORTIONS
Congressmen Bill Huizenga and Dan Boren introduced H.R. 5646, the Homeland Security Respect for Life Act, which closes loopholes that allow taxpayer funds to be used for abortions for illegal immigrants in detention by the Department of Homeland Security. The bill mirrors language that is currently included in the annual Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill which prohibits taxpayer funding of abortions for federal detainees, but not those under DHS jurisdiction. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
Congress Told Nation's Capital OKs Abortions Until Birth
On Thursday, May 17, Members of Congress at a hearing in the U.S. House were told about how the nation's capital allows abortions all the way until birth. They were informed that one abortion facility in the District of Columbia openly advertises abortions at seven months into pregnancy, paid for via cash or credit card.
No more than five nations in the world have a legal policy that is this extreme, three doctors told members of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution. They supported the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 3803), that would protect unborn children in the District after they have reached 20 weeks fetal age. (LifeNews) Read more.
- Our Mighty God, we ask that You would bring changes to the policies in our nation that would allow abortions up until birth! Father, we grieve for the lost children who are the victims of these rulings. Please help those who have the power to change these abominations to do so quickly. Forgive us for using federal dollars for such a thing. Bring even more awareness of this to the public and heal up those hurt by abortion.
- "And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech." (2 Kings 23:10)
7. VISION: ANGELS SURROUNDING D.C.
[Submitted by: Jon Hamill; Lamplighter Ministries]
Last night as we were praying, I saw a vision of large angels completely surrounding Washington DC. They were lined up on the border, which is shaped as a diamond. That is how I saw them. And this is one of only a few times God has opened my eyes to see His angelic army.
Remember we began our year with 52 days of prayer to build a Nehemiah Wall around Washington DC. I feel somehow the Lord is moving even according to our previous intercession to seal the borders from the enemy! Not sure what this all means. But Nehemiah built his wall to protect Jerusalem, the capital city, from terrorist attack!
My immediate thought last night was that the nation and world was focused on the NATO summit in Chicago, especially related to security. And the enemy was trying to slip "under the radar" into DC during this time. When I asked what they were doing, Holy Spirit spoke immediately, "To protect the city." It was clear they were linked together, as if to seal the borders and deny entry to whoever or whatever was trying to penetrate.
I then felt to decree from Revelation 19, "Spirit of prophecy, be released! Testimony of Jesus, be released!"
Keeping Watch
Lets continue to pray for Washington DC, especially related to these issues. It's important to understand that the "brewing process" is played out over time! In other words, we might be praying now by the Holy Spirit to circumvent disasters planned for the future.
- Capitol Hill Prayer Partners aligns itself with Jon Hamill and the work of Lamplighter Ministries. We felt that this word was important enough to post tonight as we close out this week's OCAP. Thank you for standing in agreement with Jon's prayer request for our nation's capital in this hour. Amen.
- "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
The Executive Branch
1. AT THE G8: ALLIES ON "IRREVERSIBLE" COURSE TO END AFGHAN WAR
2. ANOTHER E.O.: PROMOTING AN INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY SYSTEM
3. SPY DRONES SET TO TAKE TO THE SKIES
4. OBAMA CITIZEN-DETENTION PLAN IN TROUBLE
5. A DOZEN FEDERAL LAWSUITS CHALLENGE HEALTH CARE MANDATE
6. REVERSING DOMA: OBAMA ORDERS VIOLATION OF LAWS
7. CHINA CAN NOW BUY U.S. DEBT STRAIGHT FROM TREASURY
8. MEDIA'S KENYAN COVER-UP: OBAMA'S PAST IGNORED
9. SHERIFF ARPAIO FINDS BIRTH CERTIFICATE ALLIES IN CONGRESS
10. OBAMA IMPEACHMENT BILL GOES VIRAL
1. AT THE G8: ALLIES ON "IRREVERSIBLE" COURSE TO END AFGHAN WAR
Obama and leaders around the globe locked down an exit path from the war in Afghanistan, affirming Monday that they will close the largely stalemated conflict at the end of 2014, a strategy that means their troops will still be fighting and dying for another two-plus years.
Gathered in Obama's hometown, the sprawling coalition of 50 NATO members and allies declared an "irreversible transition" that will put Afghan forces in the lead of the combat mission by the middle of next year.
Even in a backup role, though, the U.S. forces and all the rest will still face combat and attacks until the war's end. (CNSNews.com) Read more.
- Ask for God's perfect will to reign over this complicated issue.
- "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:10)
2. ANOTHER E.O.: PROMOTING AN INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY SYSTEM
Forces the Nation to Follow Global Economic Regulations
On May 1st, President Barack Obama signed a new Executive Order which opens the door for the United States to give up economic and environmental sovereignty through the promotion of a single international regulatory system. This regulatory system would seek to gobally streamline cooperation between nations for trade, environmental, and legislative processes on the international stage.
The goal of many global leaders and central banks is the facilitation of a singular economic system, where financial and economic decisions are made from a single body. The formation of the G-20, as well as annual meetings by economic leaders in Davos, Switzerland, promote and create policies that bind nations to trade and regulatory processes without acceptance by legislative representatives.
Every day, more and more economic sovereignty is being signed away by the Obama Administration, with the intention of facilitating a new global economic system whereby the American people and American businesses no longer have the right of due process in the US legal system, but instead are bound under international law and regulation. This new Executive Order signed by President Obama on May 1st is another move towards global governance, and the loss of economic sovereignty for the citizens of the United States. (The Examiner; excerpt) Read more.
Read the Edict (Executive order)
- Every Executive Order is tightening the noose around the neck of our nation, so that we are no longer able to function as "one nation under God" but rather being forced to function as "One Nation under Obama." These strangling regulations were never the intent of our founders, nor Should it be the intent of those who govern us today. It's time to take a stand. Pray, and act. Remember when you vote in November the "track record" of each candidate. Vote wisely!
- "The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth." (Proverbs 10:30)
3. SPY DRONES SET TO TAKE TO THE SKIES
When Obama signed the "FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012" into law on February 14, he opened up the skies for a broad expansion of the use of drones over the skies of America -- in the name of "security," of course. Beginning next month, drones will begin flying all across America. These remote-controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's), or "drones," will be at altitudes under 400 feet. They won't just carry cameras, mind-you . . . these drones can carry weapons, too, as well as equipment capable of intercepting electronic communications and cellphone calls.
And, the Air Force has just announced that they can keep any personal information they collect for 90 days . . .and they can review that information to make sure you are not a terrorist threat. They say, "Collected imagery may incidentally include US persons or private property without consent." They will then analyze their tapes, to see if "persons or organizations reasonably believed to be engaged or about to engage, in international terrorist or international narcotics activities."
Our Fourth Amendment was written to protect us from police excess and police mistakes: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
In America's growing police state, officers are becoming the law, and our Constitutional rights cease to exist. (Conservative Action Alerts)
- This is a rather alarming development, and one which requires our prayers. Again, pray that Congress would raise its voice to put brakes on this program, until our own constitutional freedoms can be guaranteed. To judge a person who may be "about to engage" in terrorist activity is to establish a virtual office of "pre-crime," and would make any citizen vulnerable to such monitoring. Enough is enough. Through prayer, draw a line in the sand against this looming threat to our liberty. Pray!
- "The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted." (Proverbs 10:24)
4. OBAMA CITIZEN-DETENTION PLAN IN TROUBLE
Administration refuses to say writers' 1st Amendment rights protected
A district-court judge has suspended enforcement of a law that could strip U.S. citizens of their civil rights and allow indefinite detention of individuals President Obama believes to be in support of terror. The Obama administration has refused to ensure that the First Amendment rights of authors and writers who express contrary positions or report on terror group activities are protected under his new National Defense Authorization Act.
Targeted in the stunning ruling from U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest of New York was Paragraph 1021 of the NDAA, which Obama signed into law last Dec. 31. The vague provision appears to allow for the suspension of civil rights for, and indefinite detention of, those individuals targeted by the president as being in support of terror.
Forrest found that the plaintiffs had a reasonable fear of detention based on the language of the statute. She ordered the provision not to be enforced until further proceedings in her court or "remedial" action by Congress that would restore those protections. (WorldNetDaily) Read more.
- Father, thank You for this court injunction. We pray that You will stop the current version of the NDAA, and protect the rights and freedom of American citizens. We pray, too, for protection for Judge Katherine Forrest and for the members of her household. We ask You to send Your angels to keep watch over her, that no harm befall her nor any plague come nigh her tent. In Jesus' Name, we ask these prayers, amen.
- "He will guard the feet of His saints, but the wicked shall be silent in darkness."
[1 Samuel 2:9]
5. A DOZEN FEDERAL LAWSUITS CHALLENGE HEALTH CARE MANDATE
In a sweeping defense of religious freedom, 43 Catholic entities - including the University of Notre Dame - filed 12 federal lawsuits on Monday challenging a government mandate that they cover contraceptives and possible abortion-causing drugs in their health plans. It is a compelling display of the unity of the Church in defense of religious liberty," said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in a statement. The Catholic Church joins other religious groups and businesses in opposing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate that all employers provide coverage for contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-causing drugs. They contend the mandate violates the First Amendment. (CitizenLink)
- Lift up a chorus of praise for this bold move by the 43 Catholic institutions names in this suit. By drawing a line in the sand against the evil of the mandate, they can only heap blessings upon themselves. May many other bold voices come forth in the days ahead to confront this very wicked piece of legislation. Amen.
- "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion." (Proverbs 28:1)
6. REVERSING DOMA: OBAMA ORDERS VIOLATION OF LAWS
DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, is the law of the land. DOMA defines marriage as between one man and one woman and specifically states that the federal government will not recognize any other type of union. President Barack Obama has now ordered the military to perform same-sex marriages, even in states where same-sex marriage is constitutionally forbidden. As president, it is Barack Obama's duty to uphold the law, not to order others to violate it. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
- Lord, we come before Your throne of grace and plead for mercy! We know this is extreme wickedness and weep for forgiveness for our laziness as this evil has arisen in our nation. We ask that Your right hand extend out and cut this evil down! May You send Your angels to protect Your remnant in the military in this hour, In Jesus' Name, we ask this prayer, amen and amen.
- "Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, that they may know that this is Your hand - that You, Lord, have done it!" (Psalm 109:26-27)
7. CHINA CAN NOW BUY U.S. DEBT STRAIGHT FROM TREASURY
U.S. lets China bypass Wall Street for Treasury orders
China can now bypass Wall Street when buying U.S. government debt and go straight to the U.S. Treasury, in what is the Treasury's first-ever direct relationship with a foreign government, according to documents viewed by Reuters. The other central banks, including the Bank of Japan, which has a large appetite for Treasuries, place orders for U.S. debt with major Wall Street banks designated by the government as primary dealers. Documents dealing with China's new status as a direct bidder again demonstrate the Treasury's desire for secrecy -- in terms of Wall Street and its new direct bidding customer.
The Treasury's sales of U.S. debt to China have become part of a politically charged public debate about China's role as the largest exporter to the United States and also the country's largest creditor. The privilege may help China obtain U.S. debt for a better price by keeping Wall Street's knowledge of its orders to a minimum. (Reuters; Washington Times) Read more here and here.
- Stand in the gap and offer a prayer of repentance that we are now a nation so far in debt that we must strike this kind of deal with any foreign power. The nation that owns your money owns you. Cry out for mercy; perhaps our Lord would yet provide a way of escape from this terrible monetary bondage.
- "Owe nothing to anyone--except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law." (Romans 13:8 NLT)
8. MEDIA'S KENYAN COVER-UP: OBAMA'S PAST IGNORED
Even Obama campaign enters Kenya arena
A promotional booklet produced in 1991 by Obama's literary agency listed the future president as "born in Kenya" until 2007. An Associated Press article called Obama a "Kenyan-born US Senate hopeful" in 2004. With all of the questions surfacing now - more than three years into Obama's first term as president - one thing is certain: Media failed the American people.
Attack Watch is paid for and an extension of Obama for America, which is part of BarackObama.com, the online campaign hub for the White House. That means that the Obama campaign itself has decided to comment on the Breitbart News' exclusive surrounding a 1991 booklet published by President Obama's literary agency that falsely claimed the President was born in Kenya.
[What] the Obama camp won't tell you is that Breitbart News made numerous attempts to contact the literary agency without any kind of response. Once the agency finally released a statement, we published it. (Washington Times) Read more here and here.
- Lift up the Fourth Estate in our nation, America's media, and intercede for deception to be bound and truth to flow freely in both broadcast and in print journalism. One signature of dictatorships is a tightly controlled media: one whose sole purpose is to serve as the mouthpiece for the one in power . . . a propaganda machine.
Lift up the leaders of all news networks, bind the spirit of intimidation and greed that may be resting upon each one, and loose the spirit of liberty in Christ Jesus to direct their thoughts and their actions. May the boardrooms of every news source be flooded with the presence of our Savior, and may these men and women be set free to broadcast the truth, and only the truth, to our people! Let it be so, Lord God! In His Name, amen.
- "He whom the Son sets free is free indeed!" (John 8:36)
9. SHERIFF ARPAIO FINDS BIRTH CERTIFICATE ALLIES IN CONGRESS
Maricopa County, Ariz. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is pleased that at least two Republican congressmen have publicly expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Obama's birth certificate. Last week Missouri Rep. Vicky Hartzler told the Sedalia Democrat, "I have doubts that it is really his real birth certificate, and I think a lot of Americans do." In February Florida Rep. Cliff Stearns told constituents at a town hall meeting, "The question is, is it legitimate? That's where we stand now."
In a statement provided to The Daily Caller, Arpaio applauded the two congressmen. "I appreciate these two representatives having the courage to speak out about the legitimacy of the Obama Birth Certificate released by the White House," Arpaio said. (The Daily Caller) Read more.
- Ask our Lord to move upon the hearts of many members of Congress, so that a congressional hearing about this matter will be held. Indeed, with all the controversy surrounding this birth certificate, one wonders why this hearing has not been already been held. Pray, too, that all pertinent facts regarding the truth about this document be brought to light during this hearing, and that no deception or cover-up would prevail.
After prayer, why not call your own member of Congress and ask him or her to support a hearing on this matter. Be polite in your inquiry, and keep your comments brief . . . even write down what you intend to say before you make the call. The number of the Capitol Switchboard is: 202-224-2131. The operator will then direct you to the office of the member you wish to reach. May our Lord bless you as you pray and take action on the "birther" issue that is now before us all. In His Name, amen.
- "Thy people will volunteer freely in the day of Thy power." (Psalm 110:3 NAS)
10. OBAMA IMPEACHMENT BILL GOES VIRAL
Alex Jones speaks with Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. about H.CON.RES.107 -- a bill that deems the use of offensive military force by a President without prior and clear authorization of an Act of Congress an impeachable high crime and misdemeanor under article II, section 4 of the Constitution. (Hebrew Nation News)
Watch this interview by going here.
NOTE: This bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and has seven cosponsors, as follows: Representatives Dan Benishek, Dan Burton, Mike Coffman, John J. Duncan, Jr., Louie Gohmert, Tom McClintock, and Reid Ribble, Reid J.
- Pray that H.Con.Res.107 gains full support in the House towards passage into law.
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
HORN OF SALVATION
(Keh-ren Yeesh-ee)
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalm 18:2)
As the priest would grab onto the horns of the altar when he prayed, I grab onto You, O Lord. You are my help, My deliverer, You give me liberty and favor. Thank You that You have my best interests at heart. How I love Your name.
"Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence." (Psalm 140:13)
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
