In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Health Care Update
• Obama v. DOMA
• The Daily Jot
• Infrastructure Faces Hackers
• Terror Trial Moved out of NYC
• Update: Rifqa Bary
• The Good News Corner
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief - Friday, January 29, 2010
In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted." (Isaiah 12:4)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Jury convicts abortion doctor's killer - UPI
A jury in Wichita, Kan., deliberated for 37 minutes Friday before convicting the anti-abortion activist who admitted killing Dr. George Tiller. Scott Roeder, 51, faces life in prison for first-degree murder, The Kansas City Star reported. Prosecutors said they will ask for a "hard 50," meaning 50 years in prison with no parole, at his March 9 sentencing. Tiller, whose Wichita clinic was one of the few in the country offering third-trimester abortions, was gunned down last year as he served as an usher at Reformation Lutheran Church. Roeder testified Thursday he has no regrets about the killing, saying he thought it was the only way to save babies.
- We pray that we will be driven to our knees to pray to end the horror of abortion and that we will trust You to punish those who have blood on their hands. May we meet violence with love and the gospel instead of more violence.
- Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You. " (2 Chronicles 14:11)
2. House Web sites hacked, leading to call for review Washington Post
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) asked for an immediate review of how hackers were able to overtake 49 Web sites operated by House members or House committees after President Obama's State of the Union address.
- Lord, give wisdom to those who are protecting web- sites from attacks. May the hackers be kept from gaining any information that would be a danger to innocents.
- He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; He lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net. (Psalm 10:9)
3. Hawaii kills same-sex civil unions bill - AP
Hawaii lawmakers declined to vote Friday on a bill that would have allowed same-sex civil unions, effectively killing the measure. The state House of Representatives decided to indefinitely postpone a decision on whether to grant gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits the state provides to married couples. The state Senate had approved a civil unions bill last week. But House leadership wavered on pushing the controversial issue. Last year, 33 of 51 House members voted in favor of civil unions.
- Thank You for this victory. We pray that the wall for marriage will stand strong and that the faithful will not grow weary of this fight.
- Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! (Deuteronomy 5:29)
4. US announces $6bn arms sales to Taiwan UK Telegraph
President Barack Obama's administration has confirmed that it will approve a $6 billion (£3.4 billion) arm sales package to Taiwan in a move bound to add to tensions with Beijing.
- May this administration support nations that allow religious freedom even in the face of intimidation by large countries. Thank You that Taiwan is being able to protect itself from the threat from China.
- The LORD sustains all who fall And raises up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)
5. Medicine Running Out at Haiti Hospitals, Clinics Fox News
Doctors and aid workers say treating the tens of thousands of Haitians injured by the earthquake is taxing the country's devastated hospitals as well as the efforts of physicians from around the world who are providing emergency care.
- We pray for comfort for those in Haiti who are now having to move forward without word from their loved ones. We pray that charities are able to get aid into Haiti and that the workings of missionaries will bring spiritual healing as well as physical healing.
- And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
6. Gates Foundation pledges $10B for vaccines - CNN
Bill and Melinda Gates on Friday made the largest donation ever to a single cause: $10 billion to develop vaccines for the world's poorest nations.
- Lord, we pray You will use gifts like these to inspire others. We pray this gift will be used by organizations that will support life and families and that Your gospel will be spread as well.
- But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. (1 Chronicles 29:14)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
" For ever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
1. 'Jerusalem will be Palestinian capital' - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday said that the Palestinians would not accept Abu Dis, a town between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim that is currently controlled by the PA, as the capital of their future state, but would insist on receiving control over east Jerusalem.
2. Israel developing micro-satellites for better intelligence - Ha'aretz
Israel is expected to invest hundreds of millions in developing small satellites that can be launched from an airplane, enabling the Israel Air Force and Intelligence Corps the ability to gather information on specific targets on short notice, IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Ido Nehoshtan said Wednesday.
3. Netanyahu to U.S.: I'll free Fatah prisoners to boost Abbas - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to the release of hundreds of Fatah prisoners as part of efforts backed by the United States and Egypt to jump-start the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
4. Obama: U.S. backs Israel, but mindful of Palestinians' plight - Ha'aretz
U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday he would never waver from support for Israel's security but that Washington must also pay attention to the plight of the Palestinian people.
5. Israel set to launch new spy satellite - Jerusalem Post
In an effort to beef up intelligence gathering in the face of Iran's pursuit of nuclear power, will send a new spy satellite into space in the coming months, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
6. Clinton: Iran's attitude leaves us no choice - Ynet News
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday that "Iran's attitude regarding its nuclear program leaves the world community no choice but to increase pressure on Iran."
7. Al Qaida group targeting Christians in Egypt - World Tribune
Egypt has linked Al Qaida to a spate of Muslim attacks on Christians.
Health Care Update
Reconciling the Facts
Taking smaller bites doesn't make a bad meal better. The same is true of health care reform. According to news reports, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is trying to split the health care overhaul into pieces that are easier for some members to swallow. The bite-sized bills would be just as intrusive, but they may be easier for leaders to pass. Because so many Democrats object, the Speaker would have to resort to the "reconciliation process" to push most measures through the Senate.
Normally Congress uses the reconciliation process to legislate policy changes in mandatory or other direct spending plans so that it can accomplish budget resolution goals. In this case, it would allow the Senate leadership to pass legislation by a simple majority of 51 votes, rather than the 60 votes they would need to overcome a bipartisan filibuster. This option would also allow Speaker Pelosi to insert taxpayer-funded abortion into any health care legislation, claiming that any attempt to protect taxpayers isn't germane. When the press asked how the Speaker would deal with the abortion issue, Pelosi responded, "Let's just say that's not the subject of our conversations at this time." (Family Research Council)
Obama v. DOMA
Obama Uses Stump to Thump DOMA
When President Obama said he wanted to embrace bipartisanship, hugging Gov. Charlie Crist (R-Fla.) isn't what most Americans had in mind. But after his State of the Union headed south, the President decided to follow--joining the slumping Governor in Florida to talk about the administration's new $8 billion high-speed rail project. In an obvious detour, the President made some interesting social policy points during the question and answer portion of a Tampa townhall. A local student took his turn at the microphone, and essentially asked the President whether he would be as committed to repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as he is to repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The President replied, "Look, as I said last night, my belief is, is that a basic principle in our Constitution is that if you're obeying the law, if you're following the rules, that you should be treated the same, regardless of who you are. I think that principle applies to gay and lesbian couples."
He continued by pumping up the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act (S. 1102 and H.R. 2517), which is winding its way through Congress as we speak. Essentially, the bill would make the same-sex partners of federal employees eligible for the same benefits as married couples. "I think it's the right thing to do," the President said, even though the legislation is a direct strike on DOMA. "... [I]t makes sense for us to take a leadership role in ensuring that people are treated the same. Look... regardless of your personal opinions, the notion that somebody who's working really hard for 30 years can't take their death benefits and transfer them to the person that they love the most in the world and who has supported them all their lives, that just doesn't seem fair. It doesn't seem right."
Actually, what "doesn't seem right" is that the President of the United States is actively backing legislation that disobeys DOMA and devalues marriage. Fortunately, he's solidly in the minority for a cultural shift on marriage. In Indiana, the state Senate is riding the pro- family wave of Maine, New York, and New Jersey and moving quickly to protect marriage with a constitutional amendment. By a 38-10 vote, members passed the ban out of their chamber and into the House, where liberal House Speaker Pat Bauer has traditionally blocked the bill before the people could vote on it. "Some people don't have enough to do creating jobs and moving the economy forward," Bauer said, "so they think up divisive things." Tell that to the White House. (Family Research Council)
The Daily Jot
State of the Union Indicates Time For Biblical Correction
The message that the man who occupies the Oval Office wanted the American public to hear was: "we got your message." And perhaps he and the houses of Congress controlled by his party did "get" what the American people are saying. But the arrogance of Washington, DC's exclusive club of politicians and their collective goal of a one world order humanist socialist nation are driving them to do what they want anyway. Freezing spending, for example, is a great thing to say to get people off your back, but what they don't tell you is that a non-military, non-social security, non-medicare spending freeze only will save about 1% of the mounting budget deficits.
The "no new income tax" pledge is admirable, but what they don't tell you is that spending programs by the government will increase the burden on taxpayers in other ways. For example, the socialized health care plan being jammed through Congress will increase the federal budget in the near term by a trillion dollars-- exponentially more over the long term. There are numerous "hidden taxes" in the health care plan, and you will be forced to pay for health care insurance whether you want it or not. Those of you who have really good health insurance will be forced to pay several thousands of dollars per year in penalties for having that plan. Its unpopularity is forcing Congress to find other ways to pass it.
In his State of the Union address, he said regarding his fiscal policy, "Let's try common sense. A novel concept." And he talked about reining in government spending and debt. Sounds good. The American people want their government to live within its means, like every family in this country does who balances a checkbook. Within 24 hours of these remarks, the New York Times reported, "The Senate voted on Thursday to raise the nation's debt limit to $14.3 trillion, a $1.9 trillion increase that would allow the government to keep borrowing to cover operations beyond the November election and into early next year." You know, that raises the debt of every American citizen to the government to over $40,000 each.
A fact check by AP indicated that Obama lied to the American people in his State of the Union address no less than five times. There were several more half truths and misleading comparisons. This is a government of "Tell them what they want to hear, then do what you want to do." This is a far cry from the Declaration of Independence which says that our government should derive its, "just powers from the consent of the governed." The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, of instruction in righteousness." It is now time for national reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Infrastructure Faces Hackers
Power plants, other infrastructure face hackers
More than half of the operators of power plants and other "critical infrastructure" say in a new study that their computer networks have been infiltrated by sophisticated adversaries. In many cases, foreign governments are suspected. The findings come in a survey being released Thursday that offers a rare public look at the damage computer criminals can do to vital institutions such as power grids, water and sewage systems and oil and gas companies. Manipulating the computer systems can cause power outages, floods, sewage spills and oil leaks. The report was based on an survey completed by 600 executives and technology managers from infrastructure operators in 14 countries. The report was prepared by McAfee Inc., which makes security software, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, which analyzed the data and conducted additional interviews. The respondents aren't named and specifics aren't given about what happened in the attacks. (AP)
Terror Trial Moved out of NYC
White House asks Justice Department to look for other places to hold 9/11 terror trial
The White House ordered the Justice Department Thursday night to consider other places to try the 9/11 terror suspects after a wave of opposition to holding the trial in lower Manhattan. The dramatic turnabout came hours after Mayor Bloomberg said he would "prefer that they did it elsewhere" and then spoke to Attorney General Eric Holder. "It would be an inconvenience at the least, and probably that's too mild a word for people that live in the neighborhood and businesses in the neighborhood," Bloomberg told reporters. "There are places that would be less expensive for the taxpayers and less disruptive for New York City. "State and city leaders have increasingly railed against a plan to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in Manhattan federal court since Holder proposed it last month. (NY Daily News)
- PRAISE THE LORD!
Update: Rifqa Bary
Muslim Parents of Ohio Christian Convert Reject Resolution
Muslim parents of an Ohio girl who ran away from home claiming she feared harm for becoming a Christian have rejected a deal meant to resolve the conflict with counseling.
Mohamed and Aysha Bary of New Albany in suburban Columbus withdrew their consent in a court filing Thursday that alleges misrepresentation in the plan approved Jan. 19.
The Barys and their daughter, 17-year-old Rifqa Bary, had agreed she would stay in foster care and they would undergo counseling instead of going to trial to determine where the girl should live.
The Barys now allege that Franklin County Children Services are permitting Rifqa to communicate with a Florida pastor and his wife who helped her run away last summer. (AP)
- Cry out to the LORD on behalf of Rifqa Bary. Bind all schemes of trickery and deceit and duplicity in this court case, and call forth light and truth to prevail. Ask our Lord to place His Hand of protection upon Rifqa for otherwise, surely, her life would be in danger. Pray!
- "He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free . . ." (Psalm 146:7)
The Good News Corner
2 Chronicles 7:14
Click on this link.
Please be sure to read, watch and listen to the very end!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
(Source unknown . . .)
