Wednesday
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REAL WORLD!
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THIS WEEK'S EDITORIAL COMMENT: Just this brief note about the
color of our Newsletter heading -- we have given up on trying to conform
our heading color to accepted Liturgical Calendars. But occasionally we
have achieved such conformity. Green happens to be appropriate for this
week, and then for the issue of Dec. 1, because we will be in the Advent
season, we will shift to blue. So in one way or another we are conforming
to liturgical tradition. Meanwhile, here in America, politically we are in
what is called a "lame duck" session of Congress -- for which no color
has been assigned, and for which no color in the entire spectrum would
seem to be appropriate. For now, our focus, particularly from the prayer
standpoint, will continue to be on the next national Election Day, Nov. 6,
2012, now just 720 days away. This quote from Abraham Lincoln seems
very relevant to our national situation: "The will of God prevails. In
great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of
God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God can not be for and
against the same thing at the same time." (1862)
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WITH THE ELECTION OVER AND THE
"LAME DUCK" SESSION IN PROGRESS,
WE CAN PAUSE AND SEE WHAT IS
HAPPENING IN THE REAL WORLD
These are important times for all Americans, not only with respect to our
citizenship in our own nation, but also with respect to our citizenship in
the world of nations. Most important for the Christians in these important
and difficult times is our fulfillment of Jesus' purpose for us -- to be the
salt of the earth, and the light of the world. (Matt. 5: 13-14) Rather than
discussing just one subject in lengthy detail, we shall use our available
time and space to consider several developing situations which are of
major importance and concern to us.
A belated reminder: last week we observed Veterans Day - which was
formerly called Armistice Day, because it originated as a continuing
observance of the signing of the Armistice which brought to an end what
we now call World War I. At that time it was spoken of as the "War to
end all wars," and no one thought that the day would come when World
Wars would be numbered. Our national recognition of the service given
by the best of each generation should not be restricted to just one day, but
should be an ongoing attitude on the part of every American. It is just a
bit coincidental that the birthday of the Marine Corps is Nov. 10, and
this year the Corps was 235 years old. We received a message from a
retired Marine who had attended an official observance of that 235th
anniversary. During the ceremony, for the first time in memory, there
was no message of greeting from the Commander in Chief, currently
Barack Hussein Obama. At least the rest of us Americans can show our
appreciation for the service of the Marines and all of our Armed forces.
In last week's issue we quoted from Mort Zuckerman, of US News
and World Report, in his essay about America's love affair with Obama
being over, wherein he wrote of Obama's "managing American policy
at home and American power abroad with disturbing amateurishness."
That evaluation was made prior to the debacle at the G-20 conference
in Seoul where Mr. Zuckerman's assessment was confirmed. The refusal
of the leaders of the G-20 nations to adopt the U.S. proposals brought
into sharp focus Washington's reduced influence in international matters.
Not only did Obama fail to get those leaders to take a strong stand against
China's undervalued currency, he also failed in getting South Korea, our
long-time friend and ally, to agree to a mutual trade deal between the
two nations. Yet when he was asked at a news conference if his stinging
defeats in the last election had reduced his influence with other nations,
he denied it, and in a demonstration of unmitigated arrogance said that
his former influence was "not just a function of personal charm," and
even boasted that he had strengthened his relationships with leaders of
other nations, but apparently not enough for them to accept his proposals.
Involved in the "He just doesn't get it" designation is the fact that he
does not seem to understand that none of those leaders of the G-20
nations with whom he met in Seoul, would even have been there if their
parties had been given such a "shellacking" by voters in their countries
as he had just experienced in the last election. In spite of his disparaging
of the U.S. Constitution, he should be grateful that under that Constitution
he still has two more years to try to salvage what is left of his agenda.
American Christians have always been supportive of Israel, and find
Bible-based reasons for that position. Yet Mr. Obama took advantage of
major speech opportunities in both India and Indonesia to criticize Israel
for building apartments for their citizens in Jerusalem, their own capital
city. Speaking before an audience of Muslim leaders in Indonesia, the
largest Muslim nation in the world, he said: "This kind of activity is
never helpful." Ken Blackwell, of the FRC, said of his actions in this
regard, "I believe he is the most anti-Israel president in U.S. history."
And the adverse side is that Jakarta, where he spoke to the Muslim
audience, is a city no Israeli is allowed to enter. Blackwell made this
comment: "When was the last time any U.S. president condemned
Russia, England, Cuba, China or any other country for building
homes for their citizens in their capital city? The answer is never."
Abraham Lincoln's words are still valid today. "My concern is not
whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side,
for God is always right." (1881) This applies to our nation's relations
with Israel, and particularly with the capital city, Jerusalem. Again and
again God has spoken of His love and His concern for Jerusalem . . .
"Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen to put my name there."
(I Kings 11:36) . . ."In Jerusalem I will put my name." (II Kings 21:4)
. . . "I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there." (II Chron.
6:6) "In Jerusalem shall be my name forever." (II Chron. 33:4) "I am
returned into Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem." (Zech. 8:3)
"They shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord." (Jer. 3:17) And, of
course, there is always before us the words of Psalm 122:6 "Pray for the
peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee." And that relates
to the promise God made to Abraham, "And I will make of thee a great
nation . . . and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that
curseth thee."
We cannot fail to recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, "I tremble for my
country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep
forever." We are constantly witnessing the attacks of our president on the
nation Israel, and on the city of Jerusalem. Like Jefferson, we should tremble
for our country as our president continues to act contrary to God's desires
for His beloved Jerusalem.
And we should not forget -- to our shame -- that America joined with other
nations who had embassies in Jerusalem in moving their embassies to Tel
Aviv after the 1967 victory that united the new nation of Israel. That was a
cowardly act by which America turned her back on Israel and on God. Then
in 1995 the Congress enacted a law to restore our embassy to Jerusalem, thus
confirming that Jerusalem is the true capital. But no president has ever had
the courage to sign that bill into law. Both former presidents Clinton and
Bush refused to sign it, and, of course, to date Obama has refused. It isn't
that Obama is not aware of the act -- in December of 2009 he again invoked
a six-month delay in authorizing the move of our embassy from Tel Aviv
to Jerusalem -- and now he is siding with the demands of the Palestinians
that Jerusalem -- God's city -- be divided, and part of it be made the
Palestinian capital. This may not qualify as treason on a national political
basis, but for a Christian (which is what he claims to be) it would seem
to be treason against the will of God.
Some more Obama "Mosts"- Most extravagant, Most anti-Israel,
and now "Most Radical," and "More powerful that King George III."
Dr. Richard L. Rubinstein, Yale fellow, and "Distinguished Professor
of the Year," states that it is President Obama's intention to "correct the
historical mistake of the creation of the state of Israel." In addition,
Dr. Rubenstein says that president Obama is extremely pro-Muslim due
to his religious upbringing, and calls him the "most radical president
ever." In Virginia, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, has filed a federal
lawsuit seeking to overturn the health-care law signed by President Obama.
Cuccinelli says Obama and the Congress that enacted that law -- which
mandates that individuals must buy government-approved health insurance
plans -- are seeking to put into effect a power over the lives of American
citizens that even King George III did not claim to possess: "We now have
a Congress and a president who believe they can order you to buy a
product when King George III and the Parliament of Great Britain,
whom we rebelled against, acknowledged that they could not.”
We always feel there is merit in "What Others Are Saying," and this
week we offer just a few which we have noted in researching this issue.
Robert Ringer (best selling author):"Rallying around government
leaders in times of crisis is a dangerous habit that is not unique to
Americans. It seems to be a human genetic defect inherent in people
worldwide. There's no question that BHO would love to bring about a
calamitous incident that would give him the opportunity to portray
himself as protector of the people... So, yes, we still have to be on the
lookout for a staged crisis that would 'unite patriotic citizens behind
the president.'"
Chip McLean (in FSM Security Update): "With an upcoming GOP
House majority, the Obama regime and its minions in the MSM are
already screeching about 'gridlock'- that the government won’t be
able to get anything done. To those of us who, like Reagan, see
government as the problem, not the solution, gridlock is a thing of
beauty. Gridlock means that congress critters won’t be picking our
pockets and meddling with our lives by voting in new, unconstitutional
pork barrel legislation. As far as gridlock is concerned, we’ll be glad
to take all that we can get!"
And just two comments to wrap up the historic mid-term election:
Ken Connor (Center for a Just Society): "This election cycle the
American people sent a clear message to the party in power:'We reject
your policies and your agenda, and we hold you responsible for the
mess you've created.'"
Gary DeMar (President, American Vision): "For conservatives, the
results of the election are encouraging, a victory; but we have to keep
our guard up. If we relax and become complacent we will lose every
inch of ground gained, probably even more. We won some battles but it
is important to stay vigilant, fight even harder; the war is far from over."
This week's classic "One Liner" . . .
"The world's most famous teleprompter reader has lost his audience."
-- Oliver North
And now, here are a few random "Afterthoughts" . . .
Concerning candidates for the 2012 presidential election . . . last
week we reported a poll which showed Hillary Clinton beating Barack
Obama by a substantial margin. To add to the speculation, now a new
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released last week reports
on an Obama vs Republican candidate contest, and the results are quite
similar; both Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney beat Obama, Huckabee
by a 52-44% margin, and Romney by 50-45%. Against other possible
Republican candidates, Obama beats Sarah Palin 52-44% and Newt
Gingrich 49-47%. But Nov. 6, 2012 is a long way off, and it's possible
that none of those names will be on the ballot at that time.
FYI: Family Security Matters has started a new Internet feature, called
"Eurabia Watch," which will warn Americans that what is happening in
Europe with the increase in "political correctness" and Islamism, will
soon be making its way to America and into our way of life.
The nation's top Catholic bishop urges Obama to help Iraqi Christians.
In a letter to the president, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president
of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote: "Having invaded Iraq,
our nation has a moral obligation not to abandon those Iraqis who cannot
defend themselves." The appeal came following a recent Muslim attack
which killed 58 worshippers in a Baghdad Catholic cathedral, and the
bombing and shelling of Christian neighborhoods in Iraq this past week.
In case you are interested in an extreme contrarian view, here is a
comment by Arianna Huffington, who apparently subscribes to the same
school of thought as Chris Matthews, Alan Colmes, Keith Olberman,
George Stephanopoulos, et al: "Congress will be little more than an
awfully entertaining sideshow the next two years, not a place where
policy is made...MEET THE INCOMING GOP FRESHMAN CLASS
-- The hazing will be great! Boehner and Cantor will make them carry
their bags, wear funny costumes, wake up at all hours of the night...
and de-fund the Department of Education. Oh. Think Progress: 48%
are pushing for a balanced budget amendment."
Incoming Republican Speaker John Boehner will fly commercial; but
Nancy Pelosi's high-flying (and high cost) days are over. Utilizing the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Judicial Watch has obtained
documents from the Air Force which document Speaker Pelosi's use of
U.S. Air Force aircraft for her travel while Speaker of the House. For a
two year period, her travel cost the Air Force $2,100,744. of which
$101,429 was for food and alcohol. Each flight back to her home district
cost on average, $28,201. Of the 103 Pelosi-led Congressional delegation
flights, 31 included members of the Speaker's family. And for example,
one flight to Baghdad included members of Congress and their spouses,
and cost $17,931 per hour in aircraft use alone. Purchases for supplies
included Johnny Walker Red scotch, Grey Goose vodka, E&J Brandy,
Bailey's Irish Crème, Maker's Mark whiskey, Courvoisier cognac, Bacardi
light rum, Jim Beam whiskey, Beefeater gin, Dewar's scotch, Bombay
Sapphire gin, Jack Daniels whiskey, Corona beer and several bottles of
wine. (That is an example of the detailed nature of the information received.)
Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton said: "Speaker Pelosi has a history of
wasting taxpayer funds with her boorish demands for military travel. And
these documents suggest the Speaker's congressional delegations are
more about partying than anything else." But it was fun while it lasted!
We continue to find wisdom in the words of our Founding Fathers.
You will find it enlightening to take a minute or two to read their views.
"He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of this country who tries
most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence
extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and
trust who is not a wise and virtuous man....The sum of all is, if we would
most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people."
-- Samuel Adams, 1785
"No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected
without being truly respectable; nor be truly respectable, without
possessing a certain portion of order and stability."
--Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, the Federalist, 1788
"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they
therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so
sublime and pure (and) which insures to the good eternal happiness, are
undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the
duration of free governments." -- Charles Carroll, 1880
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