"The Twelve Days of Christmas"

People often think of The Twelve Days of Christmas as the days preceding the festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year that last for days beginning December 25 and lasting until January 6 - the Day of Epiphany when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the light of the world and recalls the journey of the Magi.

From 1558 until 1829 people in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During this era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without risk of persecution. The song has two levels of interpretation: "the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church." Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the torah (Law) the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. Seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.
8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the spirit.
10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

There you have it, the HIDDEN meaning of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and the secret behind the song.

Yes, Virginia

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Wrong Number. From Carol Burnett.

It doesn't get any better than this!

Let me get this straight.
We're going to pass a health care plan
*written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it,
*passed by a Congress that hasn't read it, but exempts themselves from it,
*signed by a president that also hasn't read it, and who smokes,
*with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes,
*overseen by a Surgeon General who is obese, and
*financed by a country that's already broke. 
What could possibly go wrong?

Radiation

Several people have inquired about the radiation that I receive for cancer lesions.

I have just started my second round of radiation. The first time was for a spot on my back. This time it is for lesions on a left rib. I receive radiation from the front for one lesion and from the back for the other. The type of radiation I receive isn't/hasn't been painful at all. As a matter of fact, after a few treatments the paid from the lesions begins to ease. Each "shot" takes about 30-40 seconds. It takes me much longer to get my shirt off and get on the table than it does for both "shots" combined.

I am fortunate that the @Kansas City Cancer Center has the type of equipment that I can lie on my back, have x-rays and have both "shots" (front and back) without moving. The machine does all the moving around me to get to the lesions.

During all the treatments that I have had since diagnosis the only thing that has been painful was during the actual stem cell transplants (my own stem cells). Prior to the transplant I received "high dose chemo." It kills all the fast growing cells like hair follicles and the cells in the mouth and esophagus. As a result you lose your hair and develop sores in your mouth and esophagus. The sores are awful! They hurt! They hurt when you breath or swallow. Pain pills only knock you out and you are still aware your mouth and esophagus is hurting. The only thing that helps is gargling salt water about 3 dozen time each day until they go away which takes 3 days to a week (or longer if you don't gargle).

Just thought I would share some of the information with you. Thank each of you for all the prayers you send my way.

Memory of Jean Spencer

When I was a very young child, possibly pre-school, we had a very special neighbor down on north 17th Street in Woodward, Oklahoma. Her name was Jean Spencer and she had four (4) very ornery boys that I kind of tagged behind and observed their activities.

Anyway, this isn't about the four boys it's about their mother. She called me to her porch one day and gave me a small Christmas gift that I think of every year at Christmas time. It was a mouse trap that was decorated in silver. It was trimmed in lace and the entire thing was painted silver. She gave me a little talk of which all I remember is that every Christmas tree must have a mouse trap.

That mouse trap has long since disappeared but the sentiment has remained with me all these years.

This is one of my earliest memories.

2010

2010

On Aging

AN HONEST NUCLEAR DEAL WITH IRAN? I DON’T BUY IT.

Joel Rosenberg’s Weblog

October 23, 2009

AN HONEST NUCLEAR DEAL WITH IRAN? I DON’T BUY IT.

The U.S. and other Western powers seem convinced Iran is making a major concession. Iran’s leaders say they will agree to ship about 1.2 tons of enriched uranium to Russia and France to be reprocessed. It will then be sent back to Iran in a form that could be used as fuel for a reactor but couldn’t be turned into nuclear weapons.

I don’t buy it. Iran would still be enriching more uranium. Within 9 months to a year, experts say, they would again have enough enriched uranium to be able to build 1 to 2 nuclear bombs. What if they have more enriched uranium hidden away that we don’t know about?

A deal in the next few days would be hailed as a great Western victory, perhaps even a reason for President Obama to have actually won the Nobel Peace Prize. Iran would slip out of the sanctions noose. The Israelis would have absolutely no international support for a preemptive military strike, even if it felt one were still needed.

I will wait to read the fine print before rendering a final judgment. I continue to pray for peace, and hope there is a true way out of this crisis. But at this stage, I’m highly skeptical that the Iranian leadership has suddenly “seen the light” and given up its stated goal of annihilating the U.S. and Israel. I believe the regime in Tehran is craftily trying to buy time to complete its nuclear weapons program by forestalling crippling international economic sanctions, and/or an Israeli preemptive strike. Developing….

Congressman Mike Rogers

TURKEY TURNS ON ISRAEL

Joel Rosenberg’s Weblog

October 19, 2009

TURKEY TURNS ON ISRAEL

Are the intensifying Turkish-Israeli tensions prophetic?

Turkey is a beautiful, wonderful and fascinating country.

The Apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament either in Turkey (then “Asia Minor”), or to the churches located throughout that remarkable land. The Apostle John saw in Turkey the startling vision of the End Times that became the Book of Revelation. The country later became the seat of the Ottoman Islamic empire. Later it became a modern democracy, a NATO ally, a friend of Israel, and the original “Reformer” country. I have been there numerous times and shot part of the Inside The Revolution documentary film there last year.

But something is amiss. Just back from a family vacation abroad, I have come home to find the international news media filled with stories about escalating tensions between Turkey and Israel. Over the past 10 days or so:

• Turkey has canceled a NATO military exercise because Israel was invited to participate
• Turkey has aired a drama on state-run TV portraying an Israeli soldier walking up to a Palestinian child and barbarically shooting her point-blank
• Turkey has made moves to draw closer to Iran and Syria, including choosing to engage in military exercises with Syria instead of Israel
• Turkey has made moves to draw closer to Russia

These are troublesome developments on two levels.

First, they indicate that Turkey is not simply turning against Israel but doing so, in part, to curry favor with an emerging Russia-Iranian-Syrian alliance.

Second, these developments are consistent with Bible prophecies found in Ezekiel 38-39 which indicate that in the “last days” Turkey (identified in the prophecies as “Gomer” and part of “Beth Togarmah”) will join a Russian-Iranian alliance against Israel. While it remains too early to draw any conclusions on whether the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecies will come to pass in our lifetime, much less soon, it is not to early to be concerned about the pivot Turkey is making away from Israel and toward her enemies, and ours.

Please pray for the leaders of Turkey to resist the temptation so many other world leaders are having to turn against Israel. Please pray, too, for the gospel to spread throughout all of Turkey and that many in that country find the amazing love and grace and forgiveness found in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Finally, please pray for the leaders of Israel to have the wisdom to know how best to handle the current tensions with Turkey.

A little long but worth the read

How's this for apocalyptic literature. This was written by a pastor's wife in biblical prose as a commentary of current events. It is brilliant.

------------------------

And it came to pass in the Age of Insanity that the people of the land

called America, having lost their morals, their initiative, and their

will to defend their liberties, chose as their Supreme Leader that

person known as 'The One.'

He emerged from the vapors with a message that had no meaning; but He

hypnotized the people telling them, "I am sent to save you. My lack

of experience, my questionable ethics, my monstrous ego, and my

association with evil doers are of no consequence. I shall save you

with hope and Change. Go, therefore, and proclaim throughout the

land that he who proceeded me is evil, that he has defiled the nation,

and that all he has built must be destroyed." And the people rejoiced,

for even though they knew not what 'The One' would do, he had promised

that it was good; and they believed. And 'The One' said, " We live in

the greatest country in the world. Help me change everything about it!"

And the people said, "Hallelujah! Change is good!"

Then He said, "We are going to tax the rich fat-cats." And the

people said "Sock it to them!" "And redistribute their wealth." And

the people said, "Show us the money!" And then he said,

"redistribution of wealth is good for everybody."

And Joe the plumber asked, "Are you kidding me? You're going to

steal my money and give it to the deadbeats??" And 'The One'

ridiculed and taunted him, and Joe's personal records were hacked and publicized.

One lone reporter asked, "Isn't that Marxist policy?" And she was

banished from the kingdom!

Then a citizen asked, "With no foreign relations experience and

having zero military experience or knowledge, how will he deal with

radical terrorists?" And 'The One' said, "Simple. I shall sit with

them and talk with them and show them how nice we really are; and they

will forget that they ever wanted to kill us all!" And the people

said, "Hallelujah!! We are safe at last, and we can beat our weapons

into free cars for the people!"

Then 'The One' said, "I shall give 95% of you lower taxes." And one,

lone voice said, "But 40% of us don't pay ANY taxes. So 'The One'

said, "Then I shall give you some of the taxes the fat-cats pay!"

And the people said, "Hallelujah! Show us the money!"

Then 'The One' said, "I shall tax your Capital Gains when you sell

your homes!" And the people yawned and the slumping housing market

collapsed. And He said, "I shall mandate employer-funded health care

for every worker and raise the minimum wage. And I shall give every

person unlimited healthcare and medicine and transportation to the

clinics." And the people said, "Give me some of that!"

Then he said, "I shall penalize employers who ship jobs overseas."

And the people said, "Where's my rebate check?"

Then 'The One' said, "I shall bankrupt the coal industry and

electricity rates will skyrocket!" And the people said, "Coal is

dirty, coal is evil, no more coal! But we don't care for that part

about higher electric rates." So 'The One' said, "Not to worry. If

your rebate isn't enough to cover your expenses, we shall bail you out.

Just sign up with the ACORN and your troubles are over!"

Then He said, "Illegal immigrants feel scorned and slighted. Let's

grant them amnesty, Social Security, free education, free lunches,

free medical care, bi-lingual signs and guaranteed housing..." And

the people said, "Hallelujah!" and they made him king!

And so it came to pass that employers, facing spiraling costs and

ever-higher taxes, raised their prices and laid off workers. Others

simply gave up and went out of business and the economy sank like unto

a rock dropped from a cliff.

The banking industry was destroyed. Manufacturing slowed to a

crawl. And more of the people were without a means of support.

Then 'The One' said, "I am 'the One'- The Messiah - and I'm here

to save you! We shall just print more money so everyone will have

enough!" But our foreign trading partners said unto Him. "Wait a

minute. Your dollar is not worth a pile of camel dung! You will have

to pay more..."  And 'The One' said, "Wait a minute. That isn't

fair!!"  And the world said, "Neither are these other idiotic

programs you have embraced. Lo, you have become a Socialist state and

a second-rate power. Now you shall play by our rules!"

And the people cried out, "Alas, alas!! What have we done?" But yea

verily, it was too late. The people set upon 'The One' and spat upon

him and stoned him, and his name was dung. And the once mighty nation

was no more; and the once proud people were without sustenance or

shelter or hope. And the Change 'The One' had given them was as like

unto a poison that had destroyed them and like a whirlwind that

consumed all that they had built.

And the people beat their chests in despair and cried out in anguish,

"give us back our nation and our pride and our hope!!" But it was too

late, and their homeland was no more.

You may think this a fairy tale, but it's not.

It's happening RIGHT NOW

THIS really tells it like it is.  After reading it -- and before you go into the bathroom to throw-up -- forward it to your friends and those you know who care about our country and what is happening to it under the rule of Commissar Obamanation.

P.S. -- Yeah, this is too true to be funny.  Tragic, but not funny; tragic but true.

Let me get this straight

Help me get this straight.

  We're going to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, signed by a president that also hasn't read it, and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't  pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's nearly broke.

What possibly could go wrong?

God's Chisel - The Skit Guys

Esther L. Moore

Published online 10/4/2009 11:18 PM

NEWTON - Esther L. Moore, 92, died Sept. 29, 2009, at the Presbyterian Manor, Newton. She was born Nov. 22, 1916, the daughter of Charles and Beulah Bell Smetzer Miller.

On Oct. 1, 1965, she married David A. Moore. He preceded her in death. Survivors include: daughters, Joan Bush and Barbarajean Thornton; sister, Della Mae Harr; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services 10 a.m. Monday at Petersen Funeral home, Newton. Visitation was Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton. Memorials to Cassoday United Methodist Church, Liberty Baptist Church, or the Good Shepherd Hospice.

APOCALYPTIC STORM FORMING OVER MIDDLE EAST

From the:

Joel Rosenberg’s Weblog

SEPTEMBER 28, 2009...8:19 PM

APOCALYPTIC STORM FORMING OVER MIDDLE EAST: Joel set to address 10,000 at Liberty University on Wednesday

...

————————————————

Events are moving so quickly in the epicenter it can be difficult to keep track of, much less understand the big picture. So here it is in a sentence: An apocalyptic storm is forming over the Middle East.

Consider the data points:

1. Iran has just been caught secretly building a 2nd uranium enrichment facility on a military base in the religious capital of Iran, a city known as Qom;
2. A growing number of Western military analysts say the design of this new facility — and its secrecy, and location — clearly indicates it was being built by Iran for the purpose of creating nuclear weapons;
3. Iran has thus been caught in its third lie since 2002 with regards to building secret nuclear development facilities in Natanz, Arak, and now Qom;
4. Ahmadinejad refused four times during his NBC News interview last week to rule out the building of nuclear weapons;
5. A.Q. Khan — the father of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development program – has just admitted selling advanced nuclear weapons blueprints years ago to Iran for millions of dollars;
6. The latest IAEA report indicates Iran has enough low-enriched uranium (LEU) to produce enough high-enriched uranium (HEU) by 2010 to produce two nuclear weapons;
7. Iran has just spent the weekend testing “its most advanced missiles”capable of reaching Israel;
8. Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began  his speech to the U.N. by praying for Allah to hasten the coming of the Islamic Messiah, which according to his theology requires the destruction of Judeo-Christian civilization as we know it.
9. Ahmadinejad spoke more openly about his End of the World theology during his U.N. speech than ever before;
10. Ahmadinejad was asked for the first time by an American reporter to describe his relationship with the “Twelfth Imam” and admitted on camera that he is communicating with this mystical Shia messiah;

Humanly speaking, war is coming. The West does not seem determined enough to stop Iran from getting the Bomb. So unless the Lord intervenes, Israel might soon feel compelled to launch a preemptive strike against Iran. It won’t be easy, and the entire region could go up in flames.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. So on this day of Yom Kippur, let us commit ourselves to prayer and fasting for the peace of Jerusalem and the physical and spiritual salvation of all of Israel and all of Iran.

Note: On Wednesday, I will be delivering an address on this gathering storm and its implications for the U.S., Israel and our allies before 10,000 students, faculty and staff at Liberty University.

...

ANALYSIS: AHMADINEJAD’S SPEECH “DECEITFULLY TAME,” AIMED AT BUYING TIME TO FINISH IRAN’S NUCLEAR BOMB

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009...1:13 AM

From the:

Joel Rosenberg’s Weblog

ANALYSIS: AHMADINEJAD’S SPEECH “DECEITFULLY TAME,” AIMED AT BUYING TIME TO FINISH IRAN’S NUCLEAR BOMB

Many U.N. diplomats left the General Assembly hall as President Ahmadinejad began his address. (photo credit: New York Times)

NOTE: Joel is scheduled to be on the “Glenn Beck Show” on Fox News at 5pm eastern.

——————————

First impressions of President Ahmadinejad’s speech:

• His tone was low-key, quiet, deceitfully tame — it was clear he didn’t want to make splashy, provocative headlines this time around.
• The speech was aimed at temporarily mollifying critics (or at least not giving them fresh ammunition against him), and buying time so the West doesn’t act decisively and Iran can finish building nuclear weapons without interference.
• Ahmadinejad repeatedly denounced Israel and the Jewish people as evil, “inhuman,” and conspirators dominating the world, as was expected.
• Yet in his 35-minute remarks he seemed to be making a calculated effort to appear somewhat reasonable (at least in contrast to Libyan leader Qaddafi and his 96 minute rant, which began with him being introduced as “the King of kings”) — he didn’t deny the Holocaust, he didn’t call for the annihilation of the U.S. and Israel or say that both countries were doomed and “nearing the end of the road” as he did in 2008.
• Noteworthy was that he didn’t end his address with a prayer to Allah asking him to hasten the coming of the Islamic Messiah, known as the “Twelfth Imam,” or the “Mahdi,” or the “just and promised One” as he did in 2005 and 2006.
• Nor did he open the speech by praying for the Allah to hasten the coming of the Islamic messiah, as he did in 2007.
• That said, Ahmadinejad’s address contained more references to the coming of the Mahdi than any of the others, including his 2008 speech which did build on this theme. He referred at least twice to a Shia Islamic eschatological notion of “entezar.” This is the capacity for a Shia Muslim to wait patiently for the coming of the Islamic Messiah.  Once the transcript is available, I’ll point out these references more clearly.
• He did try to make the claim that Iran’s elections last summer were been free, fair and “glorious” — a lie so outrageous it would be laughable if so many thousands of Iranians hadn’t been arrested, tortured and killed.
• One shrewd proposal Ahmadinejad made: he indicated in his speech and in an interview with the Washington Post andNewsweek that Iran wants to buy from the West nuclear materials for medical purposes. “These nuclear materials we are seeking to purchase are for medicinal purposes. . . . It is a humanitarian issue,” Ahmadinejad told the Post. “I think this is a very solid proposal which gives a good opportunity for a start” to build trust between the two countries and “engage in cooperation.” The Post notes that “nuclear research reactors are used to create radioactive isotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The Iranian president said that about 20 medical products are created at a reactor in Tehran but that more fuel is needed.”
• “Iran’s medical reactor was supplied by the United States during the shah’s rule,” reports the Post. “But according to David Albright, a former weapons inspector who is president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, Iran received additional uranium only from Argentina after the 1979 revolution. Argentina cut off those supplies sometime in the 1980s. Albright said Iran’s latest move is ‘clever’ because there is ‘implied blackmail’ behind the idea. If the material is not supplied, Iran could announce that it has no choice but to make the material, which is nearly 20 percent enriched; the material Iran is now producing is 3 to 5 percent enriched and suitable only for energy purposes. Allowing Iran to purchase the new material would require a waiver of international sanctions. While weapons-grade material is more than 90 percent enriched, making material for the medical reactor could put Iran on the next step to reaching that level.”
• Full Washington Post interview with Ahmadinejad.
• Ahmadinejad speech reflected the fact that he knows he’s walking a fine line. He desperately wants to stay true to his End Times theology and prepare the world for the coming of the Mahdi, but he also needs to keep the world community from unifying to stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
• “Delegations from Argentina, Australia, Britain, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand and the United States left the room as Ahmadinejad began to rail against Israel, a European source said.”
• The Canadians — God bless  them — were the first to leave.
• Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was not in New York for the U.N. meetings told reporters: “It is unfitting that somebody like that would be giving those kinds of remarks before the United Nations General Assembly. . . .There are times when things are being said in this world that it is important that countries that have a moral compass stand up, make their views known and our absence there will speak volumes about how Canada feels about the declarations of President Ahmadinejad….President Ahmadinejad has said things, particularly about the state of Israel, the Jewish people and the Holocaust, that are absolutely repugnant…
• That said, I suspect Ahmadinejad’s attempt to appear “reasonable” enough to most U.N. leaders to avoid draconian economic sanctions just may work.
• Though I pray I’m wrong, I don’t expect the West to take the decisive action necessary to stop Iran from getting the Bomb.
• That means that, humanly speaking, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu may be the only world leader who understands the depth and magnitude of this threat and may be willing to do something to save not just his country but the world from the apocalyptic, genocidal death cult that currently runs Iran.
• Please pray for wisdom for world leaders as they meet at the U.N. this week. Please pray for the Lord to change Ahmadinejad’s heart, and that of the Ayatollah Khamenei. Please also pray for wisdom and guidance for Prime Minister Netanyahu as he addresses the U.N. today and as he seeks to build support for action against Iran.
• Time is running short.

* LEARN: The Inside The Revolution film on DVD is available for 35% off at Barnes & Noble

* LEARN: Sign up for Joel’s email alerts with geopolitical analysis on trends in Israel and the Middle East, Joshua Fund project updates and prayer requests

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ANALYSIS: OBAMA ADDRESS TO U.N. WEAK ON IRAN, HARD ON ISRAEL, VIRTUALLY SILENT ON AFGHANISTAN

From the:

Joel Rosenberg’s Weblog

SEPTEMBER 23, 2009...12:23 PM

ANALYSIS: OBAMA ADDRESS TO U.N. WEAK ON IRAN, HARD ON ISRAEL, VIRTUALLY SILENT ON AFGHANISTAN

Did President Obama pass the test?

SCHEDULING NOTE: Glenn Beck’s producers have asked me to be on Thursday’s show to discuss Ahmadinejad’s speech. Keep in mind these things are always subject to change. Will let you know for certain tomorrow. But please keep in your prayers. Thanks.

——————————–

Today is a major test for President Obama as he addresses the U.N. General Assembly this morning.

1. IRAN — Will he lay down the law with Iran? Will he mobilize the world to do everything in its power to bring the illegitimate and tyrannical regime in Tehran to its knees to stop the nuclear weapons program? Or will he be the 21st century Neville Chamberlain, and allow the world to lurch towards another Holocaust? I admit, I’m not that hopeful. But I do believe in the audacity of hope. Perhaps the President will rise to the challenge. That’s what I’m praying for.
2. AFGHANISTAN — Iran is the top challenge facing the President, but not the only. He is getting weak in the knees on his resolve to win in Afghanistan. Our top general there says he needs more troops — fast — or we’re going to lose. Yet Obama won’t commit to giving our commanders on the ground everything they need. Remarkably, even an editorial in the Washington Post this morning challenges Obama for being weak and wobbly. We cannot lose in Afghanistan. If we do, we could destabilize Pakistan, a nuclear armed country. This could trigger a war with India and the Paks. The stakes are high. Let’s pray for the President to do the right thing.
3. ISRAEL — Anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment is metastasizing in the U.N. Will the President stand with our most faithful ally in the epicenter, or effectively cut her loose? Let’s be praying for good news.

God bless Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for directing his delegation to walk out on Ahmadinejad.

MY INITIAL REACTION:

President Obama’s first address to the United Nations General Assembly was a disappointment at almost every level. It was weak on Iran, hard on Israel, and virtually silent on Afghanistan. Examples:

• ON IRAN AND THE NUCLEAR THREAT — I was glad to hear President Obama say: “If the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East — then they must be held accountable. The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future does not belong to fear.”
• Also glad that he said: “We must stop the spread of nuclear weapons….For decades, we averted disaster, even under the shadow of a superpower stand-off. But today, the threat of proliferation is growing in scope and complexity. If we fail to act, we will invite nuclear arms races in every region, and the prospect of wars and acts of terror on a scale that we can hardly imagine….The next 12 months could be pivotal in determining whether this compact will be strengthened or will slowly dissolve.”
• I was glad to hear him say: “We must never allow a single nuclear device to fall into the hands of a violent extremist.”
• But I was disappointed that the President drew no line in the sand with regards to Iran (much less North Korea), put no decisive enforcement mechanism on the table, threatened no consequences. Right now, the President is just talk. But the clock is ticking. Iran’s nuclear enrichment centrifuges are spinning. Iran’s ballistic missile factories are creating longer-range and more accurate delivery vehicles. If Washington and the world does not take decisive action to stop Iran this fall, we may very well leave the Israelis with no alternative but to strike. Is that what the world wants…Israel acting on its own when then is really a global problem?
• ON AFGHANISTAN — I was, frankly, stunned and disappointed that while the President mentioned the word “Afghanistan,” he barely talked about one of the most urgent military issues of our day. Will he accept his own commanders recommendations and put tens of thousands of more American troops into Afghanistan to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban and secure the peace? Or will he cut and run? How could he not even broach the topic today?
• ON STANDING WITH ISRAEL – I was glad to hear the President say his goal is, in part, is “a Jewish state of Israel, with true security for all Israelis.” It’s important that the President affirms the essential Jewish character of the State of Israel. Palestinian leader Abbas, after all, won’t  say he supports a “Jewish state” living next to a Palestinian one, which is telling indeed.
• But I was disappointed to hear Obama say: “America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements” and disappointed to hear him say he supports “a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967.”
• First, in its full historic context, the President is  telling the Israelis they have to divide their eternal capital of Jerusalem (which was a divided city before ‘67) and divide the actual territory of Israel by allowing the Palestinians to have “contiguous territory” — that is a land bridge between the West Bank and Gaza. This from a President who wouldn’t speak out on behalf of the pro-democracy Reformers in Iran this summer because he didn’t want to “meddle” in the internal affairs of another country? Mr. President, what you are proposing in morally wrong and strategically dangerous. Jerusalem should never be divided again. What’s more, the sovereign territory of Israel should never be divided at all. Certainly not because an American President insists on such things. And by insisting on them, the President is actually emboldening the Radical hardliners who will now argue that until the President forces Israel to make such sweeping concessions the jihadists should force such concessions.
• Second, why are the so-called “settlements” in Jerusalem and the West Bank illegitimate? In 1947, the U.N. Partition Plan offered half the holy land to the Jews, and half to the Arabs. The Jews said yes and created Israel. The Arabs said no and launched 62 years of war and terrorism. The Israelis have repeatedly offered the Palestinians “land for peace” deals, but the Palestinian leadership keeps saying “no.” So Israelis are building homes, schools, medical clinics and other communities on disputed territory that the Palestinians refuse to accept in return for real peace. Why is that wrong? Come with me to Israel. I’ll take you to the West Bank. These Jewish communities are being built on land where Palestinian Arabs aren’t even living. It’s vacant land. Again I ask, why is it illegitimate for Israelis to build on land that has repeatedly been offered to the Palestinians, but the Palestinians refuse to take? Moreover, the so-called West Bank was known in ancient times as “Judea and Samaria.” This is the biblical heartland of Israel. I support autonomy for the Palestinian people living in their own towns and villages. But I also support the right of Israeli Jews to build on the territory the Lord gave them as their “eternal possession.”

SPEECH TEXT:

• New York Times transcript of President Obama’s address

VIDEO:

>> Netanyahu’s intriguing interview on NBC’s “Today” Show this morning — calls for “crippling” international economic sanctions on a “weak” Iran, and asks whether Palestinian leader Abbas is “an Arafat, or a Sadat?”

REACTIONS:

>> Netanyahu ‘very satisfied’ with Obama’s UNGA speech

>> Lieberman to Haaretz: Israel pleased by Obama mention of ‘Jewish state’

>> John Bolton to National Review: ‘A Post-American Speech By Our First Post-American President’

...

Whenever you're feeling low, low, low, low, low low low!

My (Re)New(ed) Political Statement

Okay this is my last blog of the day.

For months prior to the election in 2009 I pleaded against voting for incumbents. Well, until the election in November, 2010 you are going to be reading my new and expanded stand.

Not only is it important for this country to not vote for incumbents because all the are interested in is career building instead of doing their job it is CRITICAL that we get some new blood in any office held by incumbents.

That new blood should only be persons who have publicly stated their support of term limits and their lack of desire to become a political term builder. This is the only way we are going to get American back on track from the messes that have been made and allowed by Congress since Obama has taken office.

We can blame Obama all we want but Congress has to pass the bills before Obama can sign them. I am not an Obama supporter but he is not to blame for what is/has been happening... it is CONGRESS. Change will come by getting incumbents, rubber stampers out of office.

This is my new political stand so get prepared for repeats often and the appropriate closing on every blog:

Don't vote for incumbents!

FMR. SENIOR ISRAELI OFFICIAL: "WE MAY HAVE TO ATTACK IRAN BY DECEMBER"

* * * * FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE * * * *

FMR. SENIOR ISRAELI OFFICIAL: "WE MAY HAVE TO ATTACK IRAN BY DECEMBER"
* Joshua Fund praying for peace, preparing for war
* Audio & video archive of 9/11 event now online

By Joel C. Rosenberg

(WASHINGTON, D.C., September 16, 2009) -- War clouds over Iran are building rapidly.

On Friday night during the 9/11 National Town Hall Meeting, I explained that because Washington and the Western powers are doing nothing decisive to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, there is an increasingly likelihood that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will feel the need to matters into his own hands, and soon. In light of that assessment, I would draw to your attention to two sobering and must-read articles that are posted on my weblog.

1) A column yesterday by Wall Street Journal editorial writer Bret Stephens entitled, "Obama Is Pushing Israel Toward War." Excerpt: "Events are fast pushing Israel toward a pre-emptive military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, probably by next spring. That strike could well fail. Or it could succeed at the price of oil at $300 a barrel, a Middle East war, and American servicemen caught in between. So why is the Obama administration doing everything it can to speed the war process along?"

2.) A story in this morning's Jerusalem Post entitled, "We may have to attack Iran by December." Excerpt: "Israel will be compelled to attack Iran's nuclear facilities if Western powers do not impose serious sanctions against Teheran by the end of 2009, former deputy defense minister Ephraim Sneh said on Wednesday. 'We cannot live under the shadow of an Iran with nuclear weapons,' he was quoted as telling Reuters in an interview on a visit to the UK. 'By the end of the year, if there is no agreement on crippling sanctions aimed at this regime, we will have no choice.'"

How should the Church respond to such threats posed by Iran and other Radical Muslims? Pray for peace, but prepare for war.

In Psalm 122:6, the Lord commands us to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" and we certainly need to do that now more than ever. I would encourage you to gather your family, entire church congregations, small group Bible studies, home fellowship groups, schools, and other organizations to set aside time this week to pray and fast for the Lord to bring true peace to Israel and her neighbors. The situation really is growing more urgent by the day.

At the same time, Jesus said in Matthew 24:44, "you must be ready." Joshua said in Joshua 1:11, "Get your supplies ready." The Lord said in Ezekiel 38:7, "Get ready, be prepared." That can take many forms, but I would ask you to prayerfully consider financially helping The Joshua Fund pre-position food and other relief supplies in Israel ahead of this coming war.

STOCKPILING FOOD -- In late 2007, The Joshua Fund made a commitment to help one of our allies stockpile 400 tons of food in a warehouse in northern Israel by the end of 2010. In light of these growing threats of war, we are completing that task by the end of 2009 instead. That means doubling the amount of food we help this ally purchase in the next few months.

OPENING 3 NEW FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTERS -- TJF has just helped open three new food distribution facilities around Israel. Lord willing, these will now operate along with the center we helped get up and running in the Israeli town of Sderot, near the Gaza border, in January during the war with Hamas. Working closely with our Jewish and Christian allies in Israel, we will be able to help distribute 20-30 tons of food and other relief supplies a month to the poor and needy in Israel through these four centers. We will also be working closely with those who run the centers to develop plans to deal with a coming war.

PURCHASING VEHICLES TO DISTRIBUTE RELIEF AID -- TJF is preparing to purchase delivery vehicles for each of these centers who have a need for transportation so their staff and volunteers will be able to deliver food and other relief supplies for those who need them most.

PRAYING FOR A WAREHOUSE IN CENTRAL ISRAEL -- Over the past year or so, we've seen the Lord close the door to three warehouse opportunities. But we continue to pray that the Lord will lead us and guide us to just the right facility. We would be grateful if you would pray with us. A Joshua Fund warehouse in central Israel would enable us to be able to purchase food and other relief supplies in bulk at lower prices, distribute more to those in need, stockpile more for the future, and continue to bless Israel and her neighbors in real and practical ways.

LEARN: To read the WSJ and Jerusalem Post stories -- and the latest news and trends from Israel and the epicenter -- please click here

LEARN: To purchase a copy of the "Inside The Revolution" documentary film on DVD from Barnes & Noble (35% off), please click here

PRAY: Join 106,000 other subscribers to Joel's email alerts and receive the latest news and analysis from the Mideast, Joshua Fund project updates and prayer requests.

GIVE: Would you help The Joshua Fund bless Israel and her neighbors by making a tax-deductible donation of $25, $50, $100, or a monthly commitment? Please click here.

GO: Visit www.insidetherevolution.org to watch or listen to the 9/11 National Town Hall event and to find more resources on how you can go share the love of Jesus Christ with a Muslim and strengthen the Church in the Middle East.

...

Dumbest President

[I have tried to verify the following was written by Josh Ray but have been unble to accomplish it. There are numerouse Josh Ray bloggers.]

Some people think President George W. Bush was "the dumbest president ever" (and, amazingly, many of you still do), please note that political blogger Josh Ray has this message for you:

If George W. Bush had given Prime Minister Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Prime Minister Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia , would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?\

If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current on their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to Cinco de Cuatro in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the fourth of May  (Cuatro de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word "advice" would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and 'potatoe' as proof of what a dunce he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?

If George W. Bush's administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan , causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If George W. Bus h had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If George W.. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plans holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 5 months - so you'll have three years and seven months to come up with an answer.

No common-sense, naive, incompetent, uninformed voters did this to themselves. Insanity is wide-spread. Real Americans are waking up.

One Big Ass Mistake America

Why Oklahomans Go Barefoot

FOR THOSE OF US FROM OK, YOU WILL GET A CHUCKLE OUT OF THIS.

PHONES IN CHURCHES

A man in Topeka, Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country.  He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there. Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes. He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign, which read "Calls: $10,000 a minute.." Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign.   The pastor answered that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to GOD. The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way.

As he continued to visit churches in Seattle , Dallas , Los Angeles , Chicago ,   Milwaukee , and many cities and towns all around the United States , he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.

Finally, he arrived in Oklahoma, upon entering a church in  OKLAHOMA CITY , behold - he saw the usual golden telephone.    But THIS time, the sign read "Calls: 35 cents" Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor, "Reverend, I have been in cities  all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is  a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to  GOD, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000   a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"

I love this part ...

The pastor, smiling broadly, replied, "Son, you're in OKLAHOMA now ... You're in God's Country. It's a local call."

American by Birth - OKLAHOMAN the Grace of God.

And why do OKLAHOMANS go barefoot:  When you're in OKLAHOMA  you're on Holy ground!

Luciano Pavarotti & Eric Clapton

Holy Mother

ALERT :: OBAMA PLANNING ISRAEL AMBUSH AT OPENING OF UN ASSEMBLY!

[08.21.2009]

ALERT :: OBAMA PLANNING ISRAEL AMBUSH AT OPENING OF UN ASSEMBLY!

Several sources have informed One Jerusalem that the Obama Administration is planning to significantly step up the pressure on Israel by announcing a comprehensive plan for Israel and the Palestinians at the opening of the United Nations General in September.

Picture this: The anti-Israel nations of the world surrounding President Obama as he demands that Israel give up sovereignty over Jerusalem, abandon settlements, and recognize a terrorist state on the West Bank.
If this happens, Israel will be isolated from the rest of world in a very dramatic manner.

The first sign that something was up came when Egyptian President Mubarak said that the Obama Administration was ready to propose a plan in September and the White House rushed to dampen expectations by declaring that they are nowhere near to readying a plan.

Our sources confirmed that the Obama administration is contemplating this ambush of Israel at the United Nations.

At the moment, friends and supporters of Israel can help derail this insidious plan by:

1. Helping to publicize the intentions of the Obama administration. Use your access to the Internet to spread the news to family and friends.
2. When you come across a a news story or discussion about Israel write a comment, and copy the link to this Alert page.
3. Encourage friends and family to Sign the One Jerusalem Petition.
   By focusing public attention to this ambush, we can help avert it.

Letter to Nancy Pelosi

This letter is being passed around the Internet and email exchanges.  It is authentic and I personally know the cousin of the man who wrote this letter.

 

 

We, the People, are coming!

GLENN BECK: I got a letter from a woman in Arizona . She writes an open letter to our nation's leadership:

I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are . Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, and repealed.

Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say, discuss, and investigate.

Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census.  I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why -- what do you have against businesses and shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try -- please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.

Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business  of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you, to bring our concerns to Washington . Our president often knows all the right buzzwords like 'unsustainable'. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your over priced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured.. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us who will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back.. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because when we fire you, they will not save you.   If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen.  Because we are coming.  We the people are coming, and we vote !!

The moment

Nothing is ever as good or bad as it seems in the moment.

JFK, Jr.

Obama snubbed

Obama Clarifies: Israel Is The Problem Not The Palestinians

While campaigning for the presidency Obama repeatedly declared his support of Israel. Obviously he was lying, but what else could we expect from him. Jerusalem must not be divided.

[07.15.2009]

Obama Clarifies: Israel Is The Problem Not The Palestinians

President Obama invited a very select group of Jewish leaders to the White House. Like all his events, Obama made sure that his supporters dominated the room. Flanked by staffers Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod, Obama overloaded the guest list with left leaning American Jews. Groups like Peace Now, The National Jewish Democrat Council, and J Street, all of whom oppose the the elected government of Benjamin Netanyahu, were included among the typical "major Jewish organizations."  Obama made sure that groups supporting the right wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu were a distinct minority.

From a few published reports and other sources, One Jerusalem has pieced together a picture of what took place at this meeting. In short, Obama made it clear that he feels Israel must be pushed to make a deal with the Palestinians - which means that Obama is planning to force Israel to compromise on Jerusalem, settlements, the West Bank, and possibly the right of return.  He will not be dissuaded by facts on the ground (more on this later), and he sees a moral equivalency between the plight of the Palestinians and the needs of the State of Israel.

When Malcolm Hoenlein of the Conference of Major Organizations made the case that progress on the Palestinian front comes when there is "no daylight" between the policies of the United States and Israel, Obama responded that despite overwhelming support by President Bush no progress was made. When Hoenlein pointed out that under Bush, Israel took the momentous step of withdrawing from Gaza (One Jerusalem opposed this action) and previously under other friendly Administrations went the extra mile, like adopting The Road Map, Obama refused to let these facts change his mind.

Our friend Rick Richman does a superb job responding to Obama:

The following would be my summary of the progress over the past eight years -- which Obama apparently ignored in his response to the group:

After the Palestinians rejected an offer of a state at Camp David in 2000, rejected the Clinton Parameters in 2001, and conducted a terror war against Israeli civilians from September 2000-2002, Israel nevertheless agreed in 2003 to the "Performance-Based Roadmap" for the creation of a Palestinian state, despite reservations about the manner in which that plan would actually be implemented.

In 2003 and thereafter, Israel ceased all settlement activity -- as it understood that Phase I Roadmap obligation (no new settlements; no building outside settlement boundaries; no financial incentives for Israelis to move to settlements) -- and believed American officials agreed with its interpretation of that obligation.

In 2004, after the Palestinian Authority failed to meet its own Phase I Roadmap obligation (sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist groups and infrastructure), Israel nevertheless proposed to dismantle every existing settlement in Gaza (not just "outposts"), remove every Israeli soldier, and turn over the entire area to the Palestinian Authority -- in exchange for a written American commitment to defensible borders and retention of the major settlement blocs necessary to insure them.

In 2005, after receiving the American commitment, Israel proceeded to carry out the Gaza disengagement, despite the political and social upheaval within Israel it caused, including the break-up of the ruling party and nationwide demonstrations, and - at State Department insistence - further dismantled four settlements (not just "outposts") in the West Bank as well, to demonstrate the disengagement would be "Gaza First," not "Gaza Last."

In 2006, after the Palestinians elected their premier terrorist group to control their government, Israelis nevertheless re-elected Kadima on a platform of "convergence" (the new name for withdrawal from the West Bank), and would have carried it out but for the attacks by Hamas from Gaza and Hezbollah from Lebanon that caused two wars and finally convinced Israelis further withdrawals were insane.

In 2007, despite the Palestinian failure to carry out its Phase I dismantlement obligation, and its categorical rejection of Phase II (a state with provisional sovereignty before Phase III final status negotiations), Israel agreed to proceed immediately to final status negotiations once again under the "Annapolis Process."

Throughout 2008, Israel negotiated with its "peace partner" under the accelerated process, and offered 100 percent of the West Bank (after land swaps) for a state, with concessions on other major issues, all of which were rejected.

During this eight-year period, the Palestinian concessions (aka reciprocal "progress") can be enumerated more briefly:  zero.
But Obama reiterated his commitment to forcing Israel to give Palestinians what they want. In other words he does not want to be deterred from his prejudices by the facts.

One Jerusalem has been warning Israel's supporters that the Obama Administration is dead set on using all its power to force Israel to capitulate even if it means dividing Jerusalem and weakening its defenses.  We must continue to recruit people in the campaign to defend Israel and Jerusalem.  Signing our Jerusalem petition is a sure fire way to stay informed about important news that you will probably not get anywhere else and to learn insider analysis.
As Obama's troubles at home multiply, look for him to show leadership by beating up on Israel. We need to be prepared to fight back.

Health update 07.15.2009

My blood counts had not improved in the past two weeks, but they decided I could go ahead with the Revlimid but I can take it for only 14 days instead of the usual 21 days. After 14 days on the drug I will then be off of it for 14 days. After that I will go back on at a dosage of less than half what I'm taking now. I don't know yet how the cycle will be structured... 14 or 21 days.

One of the blood counts that is too low is the absolute neutrophils which has to do with my immunities. They expect that I will become neutropenic which simply means I will be more subject to disease and infection. I will have to be much more careful about being around people that are ill.

GERMAN INTELLIGENCE SOURCES: IRAN COULD HAVE BOMB IN 6 MONTHS: Update on 9/11 webcast

JULY 15, 2009...5:39 PM

Joel Rosenberg’s Weblog

Concerns that a war between Iran and Israel may not be that far off are growing. A controversial report in the German weekly Stern quotes German intelligence sources as believing that Iran has “mastered the enrichment technology necessary to make a bomb and had enough centrifuges to make weaponised uranium.” The report, picked up by Reuters, quoted one expert at the agency as saying of the Iranian military: “If they wanted to, they could detonate an atomic bomb in half a year’s time.” Officially, BND, the German intelligence agency, is denying that the agency has formally made this conclusion, conceding only that some of its analysts may consider six months a worst-case scenario.

RELATED HEADLINE: Clinton warns Iran on engagement; US Secretary of State says Iran has limited time to accept offer of engagement on its nuclear program; meanwhile German intel denies report its experts believe Iran could have a bomb within six months

UPDATE ON 9/11 NATIONAL TOWN HALL MEETING

On Friday night, September 11, 2009, Lt.-General (ret.) Jerry Boykin, former commander of Delta Force, and I will host a “National Town Hall Meeting” — webcast to churches and individuals throughout North America and around the world — to discuss the threat of Radical Islam, the Iranian nuclear threat, the future of Israel, and the role of the Church in the Middle East.

Already, 79 churches have signed up to show the webcast to their congregations that night.

We will explain the three revolutions currently underway in the Islamic world involving the Radicals, the Reformers and the Revivalists. We’ll explain how the followers of jihad, Jefferson and Jesus have completely different goals and objectives, how each are battling to dominate the Middle East and transform the world, and why each should matter to you and your family. That night, in a webcast filmed before a live audience in Philadelphia, we will show an exclusive 30-minute excerpt from the new 90-minute Inside the Revolution documentary film that will be released nationwide by Tyndale House Publishers that day. We will then answer questions from the audience, and from viewers around the country and around the world.

General Boykin’s prayer and my own is that pastors in hundreds of churches throughout North America will choose to set aside Friday night, September 11th to show the webcast of the two hour National Town Hall Meeting to their congregations in their auditoriums as a catalyst for an ongoing conversation on these vital issues. There is no fee for churches to show the high resolution broadband webcast, but pastors must sign up and receive a special access code. Individuals around the world will be able to watch a normal resolution webcast free of charge through the special website we have set up. The webcast will air live from 7pm to 9pm eastern on 9/11. It will later be rebroadcast for churches in Western time zones.

Please visit www.insidetherevolution.org and learn more about how you and your congregation can participate in this “National Town Hall Meeting on Radical Islam and the Church’s Response.” The site contains details about the event and the film. There is also a link to a trailer of the documentary film, filmed on location in Iraq, Morocco, Israel and Washington, D.C. I hope you will join us, and invite your family and friends to join us as well. Thanks so much, and God bless you.

A Patriotic Resistance

This came to me via email. I felt it was so appropriate to my feelings. Just call me a Bible thumping, gun toting, mid-west hick!

I have noted that many elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, called upon America to unite behind Obama.

Well, I want to make it clear to all who will listen that I "AM NOT" uniting behind Obama.  However, I promise to give our country the devoted loyalty of a patriot.

I will respect the Office which he holds, and I will acknowledge his abilities as an orator and wordsmith and pray for him, BUT that is it.

I have begun today to see what I can do to make sure He is a one-term President!

Why am I doing this?  It is because I do not share Obama's vision or value system for America;

I do not share his Abortion beliefs;

I do not share his radical Marxist's concept of re-distributing wealth;

I do not share his stated views on raising taxes on those who make $150,000+ (the ceiling has been changed three times since August);

I do not share his view that America is arrogant;

I do not share his view that America is not a Christian Nation;

I do not share his view that the military should be reduced by 25%;

I do not share his view of amnesty and giving more to illegals than American Citizens who need help;

I do not share his views on homosexuality and his definition of marriage;

I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend and Israel is our enemy who should give up any land;  

I do not share his spiritual beliefs (at least the ones he has made public);

I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system in America;

I do not share his Strategic views of the Middle East, and certainly do not share his plan to sit down with terrorist regimes such as Iran.

Bottom line, my America is vastly different from Obama's, and I have a higher obligation to my Country and my God to do what is right!

For eight (8) years, the Liberals in our Society, led by numerous entertainers who would have no platform and no real credibility, but for their celebrity status, have attacked President Bush, his family, and his spiritual beliefs! 

They have not moved toward the center in their beliefs and their philosophies, and they never came together nor compromised their personal beliefs for the betterment of our Country!  They have portrayed my America as a land where everything is tolerated except being intolerant!

They have been a vocal and irreverent minority for years;

They have mocked and attacked the very core values so important to the founding and growth of our Country;   
They have made every effort to remove the name of God or Jesus Christ from our Society;

They have challenged capital punishment, the right to bear firearms, and the most basic principles of our criminal code;

They have attacked one of the  most fundamental of all Freedoms, the right of free speech!

Unite behind Obama?  Never!

I am sure many of you who read this think that I am going overboard, but I refuse to retreat one more inch in favor of those whom I believe are the embodiment of Evil!

PRESIDENT BUSH made many mistakes during his Presidency, and I am not sure how history will judge  him.  However, I believe he weighed his decisions in light of the long established Judeo-Christian principles of our Founding Fathers!!! 

Majority rules in America, and I will honor the concept; however, I will fight with all of my power to be a voice in opposition to Obama and "his goals for America."

I am going to be a thorn in the side of those who, if left unchecked, will destroy our country!! Any more compromise is more defeat!

I pray that the results of this election will wake up many who have sat on the sidelines and allowed the Socialist-Marxist anti-God crowd to slowly change so much of what has been good in America! 

"Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."  (Thomas Jefferson)

God bless you and God bless our Country!!!