Group targets Speaker Boehner’s (small-h) house
By: Barbara Hollingsworth:
When did demonstrating at the private homes of politicians or corporate executives become an acceptable way to voice one’s political opinions?
Nearly two dozen activists from DC Vote swarmed House Speaker John Boehner’s Capitol Hill residence at 7:30 Thursday morning, chanting “Don’t tread of D.C.” and “No taxation without representation” to protest congressional “meddling” in the District’s local affairs, in particular a House continuing budget resolution that would cut $80 million in federal payments and prohibit the city from using local funds to pay for needle exchange programs and abortions.
[...]
Wisconsin governor to fugitive Dems: Do your job, chumps; Video: Tea partier confronts runaway Dem
by Allahpundit:
Two clips here, one of Walker and the other of another Republican who once had to hang tough with unions. Compare and contrast. Oh, by the way, have I mentioned that Obama’s online DNC operation is helping to coordinate the protests in Wisconsin? In case you were unclear on how high the stakes are here and what this means for other states eyeing “corrective measures” for their own budgets, that should bring it into focus. A quote from John Boehner: “I’m disappointed that instead of providing similar leadership from the White House, the president has chosen to attack leaders such as Gov. Walker, who are listening to the people and confronting problems that have been neglected for years at the expense of jobs and economic growth. I urge the president to order the DNC to suspend these tactics.”
Pushing Al Jazeera on Americans
Ed Lasky:
Recently, the Boston Globe (owned by the New York Times) published an op-ed by Juliette Kayyem advocating that more American cable companies carry Al Jazeera
What could go wrong? What harm could more inflammatory misinformation cause? Al Jazeera is filled with Muslim speakers promoting anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism and calling for violence.
[...]
At UN, US sides with Israel’s enemies on settlement issue
Rick Moran:
It’s being billed by the administration as a “compromise” – a move to forestall a Palestinian motion that would almost certainly force the US to use a veto to block it.
In reality, it is just another demonstration of the Obama administration’s hostility to Israel.
Foreign Policy:
[...]
The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
http://www.persecution.net
Thursday, February 17, 2011
“Once we serve God surely we must go the way of the cross,
so I will not quarrel against the Lord for what has happened.”
– Pastor Quang, Vietnam
Sign up now to receive our free Monthly Newsletter at
http://www.persecution.net/nlorder.htm
.
***********************************
In this week’s edition: reports from Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and
Uzbekistan
***********************************
1. Seven Iranian Christians released
(Source: VOM-USA)
Seven Iranian Christians who were arrested on December 26, along with
31 other believers, were recently released from prison on bail. On
January 26, two men and a woman were released in Isfahan. Three days
later, four women were released from Tehran’s notoriously brutal Evin
prison. The release of one of the women, Sara Akhaven, involved her
family giving up their trade license in exchange for her bail. If
authorities decide Sara has broken bail, however, the family’s
livelihood will be gone. Sadly, the trade license was not valuable
enough to secure bail for Sara’s sister, Leila, who remains in prison.
Some of the original 31 Christians who were arrested have reportedly
been released.
The recently released believers reported that they spent over a month
in solitary confinement and endured hours of interrogation and
torture. It is likely that those who remain detained continue to face
the same brutal treatment. Among those who remain in prison is a
couple with two children. Although their mother, Maryam, has been able
to phone her children from prison, they have not heard from their
father, Rasool, in over a month. All of the other prisoners have
reportedly been able to call their families, so there is great concern
for Rasool’s condition.
Thank the Lord for the release of these believers. Pray that they will
remain faithful in witnessing about Christ. Pray all imprisoned
Christians in Iran will be released. Pray they will be emboldened and
equipped by God’s grace as they suffer. Pray for Iranian Christians
who face extreme pressure and opposition under the government’s new
policy of “religious cleansing.”
To learn more about the suffering of Iranian Christians, go to
http://www.persecution.net/iran.htm
.
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2. Pakistani Christian killed by Muslim employer
(Source: Agenzia Fides)
A young Christian man was recently killed by his Muslim employer in
Gujranwala district, Punjab province, Pakistan. On February 5, Imran
Masih, 24, stayed home from his job as a driver for two local Muslims
because he was ill. When Imran returned to work the next day, his
employer verbally confronted him, attacked him and killed him. Imran’s
body was brought to his father, Lal Masih, the next day, with the
employer claiming that he committed suicide. Lal, who is also employed
by the same estate, said that his son’s body was covered in blood and
bore clear signs of torture. Local people also reported that they had
heard the employer insult and attack Imran the night of his death. Lal
went to the police station to file a report about the unjust treatment
of his son’s death. However, the assistant sub-inspector refused to
accept it, allegedly due to the influence of the Muslim employer in
the area.
Only after activists from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance made a
public protest in Gujranwala did the police officially record formal
murder charges and damages against the employer and his accomplices.
Pray for the family members and friends mourning the loss of Imran.
Pray that, as sufferings overflow, their comfort in Christ will abound
(2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray the truth in Imran’s death will come to
light. Ask God to change the hearts and minds of the Muslim
responsible for this brutal murder, leading to repentance.
To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, visit
http://www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm
.
***********************************
3. Update: Christian Convert from Islam facing execution in
Afghanistan
(Source: World Evangelical Alliance – Religious Liberty Commission)
Said Musa, who was imprisoned for converting from Islam to
Christianity, is reportedly facing execution. A 15-year employee of
the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kabul, Afghanistan,
Said, 45, was arrested on May 31, 2010, after a television station in
Kabul broadcast images that allegedly showed Western Christians
baptizing Afghans. Since his arrest, he has remained in Kabul
Detention Center, where he has reportedly suffered sexual assault and
torture and been denied access to a lawyer.
In the second week of February, an Afghan judge reportedly informed
Said that he would be hanged within days if he did not renounce his
faith in Christ and reconvert to Islam. Godfrey Yogarajah, the
Executive Director of The Religious Liberty Commission of the World
Evangelical Alliance, recently called attention to the illegal and
unjust treatment of Said. “The arrest of Said in the first place and
the subsequent demands for death for apostasy violate at least three
provisions of the Constitution of Afghanistan,” he said. Said’s trial
is reportedly the first for apostasy that has reached near execution
since the Taliban’s fall.
Pray for God’s enduring comfort and peace for Said in prison. Pray
that, even in chains, he will exalt and praise his Lord — a God of
compassion, justice and truth. Pray for his release. Pray also for
Said’s wife and six children, who fled to Pakistan after his arrest,
that they, too, will continue to find strength in Christ.
To find out more about the opposition facing followers of Christ in
Afghanistan, go to http://www.persecution.net/afghanistan.htm
.
***********************************
4. Uzbek Christians facing prosecution after police raid
(Source: Forum 18 News)
Authorities who raided a Christian meeting in Syrdarya Region, central
Uzbekistan, in January, are reportedly preparing to prosecute several
of the Christians present. On January 6, 12 police officials broke
into the home of Pastor Andrey Shevchenko, where approximately 25
members of an unregistered local Baptist church were gathered to
celebrate the baptism of Christ. The officials confiscated DVDs, CDs
and Christian books. They also forced some of the believers to write
statements. Pastor Andrey showed the police documents proving that the
material had been purchased from the officially registered Bible
Society of Uzbekistan. However, police told him that the literature
would be sent to the State Religious Affairs Committee in the capital
Tashkent for “expert analysis.” In early February, police reported
that they are planning to prosecute Pastor Andrey and other local
Christians under the code of Administrative Offences for “violation of
the law on religious organisations” and “illegal storage, production,
import or distribution of religious materials.”
Pray for strength of faith for these Christians as they face
opposition. Pray they will not face charges or fines. Pray they will
bear witness to the love and grace of Christ, even to their
persecutors. Pray Uzbek authorities will treat all of their citizens
with true justice.
You can find out more about the trials facing the Church in Uzbekistan
at http://www.persecution.net/uzbekistan.htm
.
***********************************
The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the
Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 608, Streetsville,
Ontario, L5M 2C1)
Tel. (905) 670.9721. Website: http://www.persecution.net
Iran Ups its Anti-Israeli Ante
by Stephen Brown, FrontPage:
With protests gathering steam in Bahrain, demonstrations reported in Libya, and clashes between pro- and anti-government movements in Yemen, Iran has exacerbated Middle Eastern tensions even further with its reported plan to send two warships through the Suez Canal. Israeli government officials and the Israeli Navy are closely monitoring two Iranian warships, which are anticipated to make a rare crossing of the Suez Canal. This would be the first time since 1979 the Iranian Navy has used the canal, and it is believed the ships’ destination is Syria. The Iranians, it was reported, are planning to send a “fleet” to the Mediterranean for a year.
[...]
Environmental Defence opens up the war chest to fight Canada’s enviro minister
By Ezra Levant:
The Tides Foundation is one answer. As researcher Vivian Krause revealed, that San Francisco-based foundation alone gave Smith $310,000 to fight the oilsands. Five U.S. donors alone have poured $190 million into Canadian anti-oil and anti-forest lobbies in the past 10 years.
If the roles were reversed — if Canadians spent huge sums interfering with U.S. domestic a airs — Congress would convene hearings and our ambassador would be summoned.
[...]
Prayer requested
For those of you who are TBK readers and Christians would you please take a moment to pray for my wife. Suffice it to say that she needs healing in her neck and arms, especially her right arm. A few years ago she sustained injuries from an unprovoked attack and is in severe pain and barely able to use her right arm. X-rays, MRIs, an ultrasound and physiotherapy have done nothing and her condition continues to deteriorate.
Thank you,
Tim
HRTs (Star Chambers) have no place in free countries
Rights tribunal turmoil throws system into ‘gridlock’: lawyer
Cookies
Douglas Adams:
This actually did happen to a real person, and the real person was me. I had gone to catch a train. This was April 1976, in Cambridge, U.K. I was a bit early for the train. I’d gotten the time of the train wrong.
I went to get myself a newspaper to do the crossword, and a cup of coffee and a packet of cookies. I went and sat at a table.
I want you to picture the scene. It’s very important that you get this very clear in your mind.
Here’s the table, newspaper, cup of coffee, packet of cookies. There’s a guy sitting opposite me, perfectly ordinary-looking guy wearing a business suit, carrying a briefcase.
It didn’t look like he was going to do anything weird. What he did was this: he suddenly leaned across, picked up the packet of cookies, tore it open, took one out, and ate it.
[...]
HT: Alex of P.E.I.
Blind Rabbis Leading the Blind
by David Solway, FrontPage:
The sordid story of the 400 rabbis is common knowledge by now. Taking exception to Glenn Beck’s demolition of the apostate Jewish billionaire George Soros, the 400 took out a $100,000 ad in the Wall Street Journal accusing Beck and Fox News of cheapening the memory of the Holocaust, of making “literally hundreds of on-air references to the Holocaust and Nazis when characterizing people,” and for drawing attention to Soros’ self-serving behavior as a teenager in Nazi-dominated Hungary.
It would appear, however, that most of these rabbis have never or rarely watched Glenn Beck or Fox News since their allegations are inaccurate and seem almost wholly based on hearsay. As Bill Narvey writes in his Open Reply to the rabbis, “I have not heard Fox News use the term Nazi ‘hundreds of times’ as you allege,” and wonders whether “any of you 400 Rabbis ever watch Beck or Fox News.” Moreover, they are plainly unaware that Beck has often encouraged his readers not to take his word but to investigate the issues for themselves. Nor have the good rabbis seen fit to disclose that the Jewish Fund for Justice, which paid for the ad, is partially bankrolled by Soros’ Open Society Foundations. Soros, ever the magician, has no trouble pulling rabbis out of a hat—or rather, hucksters posing as rabbis.
Obviously, they are not impressed by the fact that Beck is a “righteous Gentile” with enormous influence for good, a stalwart defender of the Jewish state and a scourge against anti-Semites while Soros is an undoubted apikoros, or “wicked son,” who funds unsavory venues like Media Matters and backs the disreputable advocacy group J Street, an outfit that regards Israel with suspicion and works to further the interests of Palestinian Arabs at the Jewish state’s expense. Soros targets Israel as contributing to anti-Semitism, scapegoats the Jewish state for the turbulence in Egypt and as an obstacle to peace and democracy in the Middle East—“The main stumbling block is Israel,” he writes in The Washington Post—, seeks to discredit The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), believes “the pro-Israel lobby” is invested in “suppressing divergent views,” blames Israel for “refus[ing] to recognize the democratically elected Hamas government”! and for pursuing “military escalation,” and has subsidized terrorist-defending lawyers like the infamous Lynne Stewart—one could go on. No matter. The 400, whether through ignorance or perfidy or both, proceed to vilify their protectors and champion their adversaries. Beck bad, Soros good.
[...]
Malaysian road rules
My son is in currently in Malaysia and rather than trying to describe to me the peculiarities of driving there he sent me this link:
Logan Assaulted by Goons Yelling ‘Jew! Jew!’
JammieWearingFool:
A network source told The Post that her attackers were screaming, “Jew! Jew!” during the assault. And the day before, Logan had told Esquire.com that Egyptian soldiers hassling her and her crew had accused them of “being Israeli spies.” Logan is not Jewish.
Ironically, it’s the American media that has for two years portrayed tea partiers are being out-of-control raucous mobs with no evidence to support the assertion, yet they’re seemingly giving a casual pass to this savage behavior.
[...]
The Absolute, Unbelievable And Stunning Stupidity Of Anti-Semitic Jews
By Alicia Colon:
For many years my husband and I were friends with an Egyptian man, Ali, who never failed to bring back a wonderful souvenir from his country on his return to the states. He was kind and generous but it was not until after September 11, 2001 did we discover how ingrained was his antipathy to Israel. Ali worked with my husband and during the chaotic months that followed the attacks he appeared to be as much in shock as the rest of us yet his explanation for the attacks was typical among many in the Arab community. “You know,” he said, “the United States really has to rethink its support of Israel.” What I always find shocking, however, is that this same absurd sentiment is being repeated by some Jewish rabbis and liberal commentators.
[...]
Saeb Erekat’s resignation telling evidence of Palestinian rejectionism
PJ Tatler:
During the CPAC conference last weekend, PJTV published exclusive video of American Conservative Union board member Suhail Khan making the bizarre claim that “there is no Muslim Brotherhood in the United States.” But that exclusive PJTV video clip, which has now received widespread coverage, was part of a larger exchange during the Suhail Khan-led CPAC panel on Saturday where panelists CJ Jordan of the National Black Republican Leadership Council and Mario Lopez of the Hispanic Leadership Fund were recommending that conservatives must bring two racist organizations into the GOP “big tent” — Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam and La Raza. We made quick mention of this larger exchange here at the PJ Tatler on Monday, but now the full video is available for viewing:
[...]
Denying Jewish history in Jerusalem becomes a nightmare
Jewish Ideas Daily:
The recent round of peace negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, when it was not interrupted by disputes over settlement freezes and other marginalia, focused on the same set of issues that has typified the negotiating agenda for many years: borders, Jerusalem, security, refugees, water and so on. We know them so well that we can recite them even in our dreams.
There are now, however, two new nightmares to trouble our sleep. The lesser one concerns the recent Israeli demand that the Palestinians explicitly recognize Israel as a “Jewish state”; this demand may well cause more problems than it can solve. Closely related is the greater nightmare: the Palestinian leadership’s insistent denial of history. To be specific, Palestinian public discourse claims that the Jewish Temple never existed in Jerusalem. It refuses to even acknowledge, let alone tolerate, the universally accepted history of the city and of other parts of the country.
[...]
Shoebat: Middle East is preparing to fight Israel
by The Right Scoop:
This is a great interview with Walid Shoebat on the 700 Club where he discusses everything from the Muslim Brotherhood to how the Middle East (both Sunni and Shia) will unite over the next few years in false peace as they prepare to fight Israel. Like many of his interviews it is very informative and I would declare it a must listen.
The cynical and unrealistic White House budget
WSJ:
This was supposed to be the moment we were all waiting for. After three years of historic deficits that have added almost $4.5 trillion to the national debt, President Obama was finally going to get serious about fiscal discipline. Instead, what landed on Congress’s doorstep on Monday was a White House budget that increases deficits above the spending baseline for the next two years. Hosni Mubarak was more in touch with reality last Thursday night.
[...]
ALERTS TO TERROR THREATS IN 2011 EUROPE [I figure TBK readers could use a laugh - Tim]
*In response to the Department of Homeland Security’s recent announcements about threat alerts, John Cleese had this to say.*
ALERTS TO TERROR THREATS IN 2011 EUROPE
By John Cleese – British writer, actor and tall personThe English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.”
The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out.
Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.
The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s Get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France’s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.
Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: ” Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”
The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbor” and “Lose.”
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.
Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be alright, Mate.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is canceled.” So far, no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.
Christian Leaders in Nigeria Call Bauchi Violence Premeditated
CDN
Christian leaders in Bauchi state said religious violence here sparked by a row over a billiards table on Jan. 27 bore signs that Muslim extremists were prepared for a large-scale slaughter of Christians.
Initially authorities said only 18 people were killed after sectarian violence erupted in the areas of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro, where there are large Christian populations in predominantly Muslim Bauchi state in northern Nigeria. Since then, estimates have ranged wildly from 25 to 96 people killed over a three-day period starting Jan. 27, with Christian leaders asserting that Muslim extremists used the billiards table incident as a pretext for unleashing attacks with a stockpile of weapons hidden in mosques.
[...]
The legacy of a teetering peace
By CAROLINE B. GLICK:
One of the first casualties of the Egyptian revolution may very well be Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel. The Egyptian public’s overwhelming animus towards Jews renders it politically impossible for any Egyptian leader to come out in support of the treaty.
Over the weekend, the junta now ruling Egypt refused to explicitly commit itself to maintaining the treaty. Instead, under intense American pressure they sufficed with stating that they would maintain all of Egypt’s international obligations. According to news reports, the generals themselves are split in their positions on Israel. One group supports maintaining the treaty. The other supports its abrogation.
[...]
India: Attacks against Christianity, the Pope and Mother Teresa at Hindu Kumbh
Spero News:
Bhopal – Increasingly, the Narmada Samajik Kumbh, a Hindu gathering in Madhya Pradesh of some two million people set to end on Sunday, is turning anti-Christian and anti-Muslim in its tone. Organised by associations that include armed Hindu groups, the event has pushed Christian and other religious minorities to demand government protection for fear of clashes or violence. Now fears have come true (see Nirmala Carvalho, “Fear of violence at a 2 million-strong Hindu gathering in Madhya Pradesh,” in AsiaNews, 9 February 2011)
[...]
Pro-Abortion Scientists, Tucson, and the Philadelphia Abattoir
Michael Egnor:
Tantalus Prime and I have had a blog debate about the humanity of unborn children.
I believe that human life begins at conception and ends at natural death. I believe that all human beings at all stages of life and in all conditions of health and disability are fully human. I mean “fully human” in two ways:
1) Fully human means a member of the species Homo sapiens. Species does not change with gestational age or with disability.
2) Fully human means that each human being is a person. Each human being has the fundamental right of persons, which is the right to life. “The right to life” means the right not to be deliberately killed.
I’m not sure what Tantalus believes. He seems to accept assertion #1, I think, but he spews pages of alphabet soup about assertion #2. I honestly don’t understand his argument, except that he thinks that full humanity is only achieved by the acquisition of certain intellectual skills, and that humans who lack those skills lack the right to life. He isn’t very clear about what skills count as human, except they seem to be his own skills.
He clearly supports the “right” to abortion, and he appears to hold the view that women are denied fundamental rights if they cannot have abortions. Tantalus asserts that the rights of some human beings depend on the killing of others.
[...]
“Arab, South American Region to Create a New Geopolitical Space of Global Importance”
by Anna Mahjar-Barducci:
In an effort to integrate the Arab region with South America to create a new geopolitical space of global importance, Suriname is the latest Latin American country to recognize a Palestinian State on 1967 borders. The decision taken by Suriname, a member of the Islamic Conference Organization (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank, was welcomed by the Secretary General of the OIC, who hoped that the rest of the world would recognize Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Meanwhile, the third Summit of South American-Arab Countries (ASPA) that was going to be taken place during February 13-16 in Peru was postponed because of the crisis in Egypt. Brazil is the Regional Coordinator of ASPA for South America, a mechanism for bi-regional cooperation and a forum for political coordination. The aim of the summit is to create a strong Arab-Latin American alliance to expand Arab and Islamic global impact.
The summit, headed by Brazil, was criticized in a cable by the US Embassy in Brasilia: “Brazil does not understand Middle East affairs, it’s only joining the ‘anti-Israel’ choir,” wrote Ambassador Clifford Sobel in one of his diplomatic messages to the State Department, as revealed by Wikileaks.
[...]
David Cameron’s important speech
Melanie Phillips:
With the exception of the predictably sour comments by the usual suspects, David Cameron has had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to his important speech on multiculturalism last Sunday in Munich. At last, people have said, the Prime Minister has thrown off the shackles of political correctness that have paralysed debate and has spoken the truth about multiculturalism and Islamic extremism. Lord Tebbit has even gone so far as to surmise that if he goes on like this Cameron will win the next general election.
Steady on, chaps.
I have three things to say about this speech.
[...]
Chomsky Calls Elie Wiesel “One of The Major Frauds of Our Time”
by Kathy Shaidle, FrontPage:
Noam Chomsky is a linguist and political philosopher of dubious repute, who remains, in spite of his errors and failed predictions, the Left’s “rabbi, our preacher, our rinpoche, our sensei.”
This week at CounterContempt, David Stein announced the release of letters he says shed harsh light on one of Chomsky’s most troubling associations: his literary relationship with a Holocaust denier.
As Stein explains:
[...]
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