Obama's Pick For CIA Chief To Face Senate Scrutiny

NPR - ‎42 minutes ago‎ 

John Brennan, President Obama's choice to lead the CIA, can look forward to a grilling Thursday on Capitol Hill. As Obama's chief counterterrorism adviser, he has been associated with some controversial policies, including the use of armed drones.

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Early life and education

Brennan, the son of Irish immigrants from Roscommon, Ireland, was raised in North Bergen, New Jersey.^[10] He attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary elementary school, and graduated from Saint Joseph of the Palisades High School in West New York, New Jersey.^[6]
While riding a bus to class at Fordham University, he saw an ad in The New York Times that said the CIA was recruiting, and felt a CIA career would be a good match for his "wanderlust" and his desire to do public service.^[6] He received a B.A. in political science from Fordham in 1977.^[3] His studies included a junior year abroad learning Arabic and taking Middle Eastern studies courses at the American University in Cairo.^[3][6] He also received a Master of Arts in government with a concentration in Middle Eastern studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980.^[6] He speaks Arabic fluently.^[10]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_O._Brennan

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Fla. police want to use drones for crowd control

Posted on Wednesday, 02.06.13


BY BILL KACZOR
ASSOCIATED PRESS


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Police want lawmakers to make an exception for crowd control in a bill that bans the use of drones for law and code enforcement, but the measure won committee approval Wednesday without that change.

The request prompted the bill's sponsor to ask what if King George had sent a drone to the Boston Tea Party.

The Community Affairs Committee unanimously approved the bill (SB 92) to ban drones with exceptions for certain emergencies, suspected terrorism and surveillance that's been approved by a judge.

"What we're talking about here is Big Brother and the idea that Big Brother is watching," said Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando.

Thompson is among several committee members who urged Sen. Joe Negron, a Stuart Republican sponsoring the bill, to consider loosening some of its restrictions although they voted for the measure.

"We have a responsibility to protect people's liberty, but I think we have also a responsibility to protect people's lives," said Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater.

Negron, though, said he would vote against his own bill if a crowd control exception is added.

"We know something about crowds," Negron said. "We had a crowd back in the 1700s. It was called the Boston Tea Party. Can you imagine if King George had sent a drone to hover over the Boston Tea Party to see what the American patriots were up to?"

Orange County Sheriff's Capt. Michael Fewless told the committee that taxpayers would save money if law enforcement could use drones instead of helicopters for crowd control at football games and other events where thousands of people converge.

"They have no firearms on them," Fewless said. "We can't blow people up. The only thing we can do is take a picture."

Negron wants to restrict drones to protect people's privacy rights, but Fewless said there's no reasonable expectation of privacy at public events.

"We do not want to use the drone to fly over people's houses, seeing what they're doing in their backyards," he said. "What we are looking for is large scale events."

Fewless also said he was worried that restrictions on drones could lead to similar limits on helicopters, but Negron disagreed. He said people can see and hear helicopters unlike the much smaller and quieter drones.

"Helicopters yes, drones no, because we have to draw lines," Negron said. "That is what legislating is all about."

Latvala said he was more concerned about such uses as spotting marijuana growing areas than about crowd control.

The bill already would permit that as long as authorities obtain search warrants from judges, Negron said.

It also allows drone searches for escaped fugitives and for emergencies such as an imminent threat to life or property. That includes fires, missing children and kidnappings.

Fewless said the Orange County Sheriff's Office would support the bill if it had a crowd control exception.

Keri Silver, a lobbyist for the Florida Sheriffs Association, said her organization no longer oppose the bill with such a provision but still wouldn't endorse it. She said it isn't necessary at this time.

Only a few Florida law enforcement agencies currently have drones, but Negron said the technology is expanding rapidly and he wants to get a law passed now. Florida is one of at least 11 states considering limits on drone use.

Florida Police Chiefs Association lawyer Tim Stanfield said his organization wants changes in the emergency situation language to give its members more comfort.

American Civil Liberties Union of Florida lobbyist Ron Bilbao said the ACLU supports the bill he advocated a more restrictive emergency provision.

The bill must get through three more committees before it can get a floor vote. A similar House bill (HB 119) is scheduled for its first committee hearing Thursday.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/06/3220135/fla-police-want-to-use-drones.html#storylink=cpy

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Menendez: $58,500 Cost of Trips ‘Fell Through the Cracks’

February 5, 2013

By Fred Lucas




Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) (CNSNews.com/Penny Starr)



(CNSNews.com) – Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), whose net worth if valued between $317,005 and $680,000, according to his 2011 financial disclosure form, told CNN he was not initially aware of the cost of two 2010 trips to the Dominican Republic, lasting a total of six days, valued at a combined $58,500.

“It unfortunately fell through the cracks that our processes didn't catch -- moving forward, and making sure that we paid,” Menendez told CNN. “When it came to my attention that payment had not taken place, I personally paid for them in order to meet my obligation.”





He later said, “Now, if it had come to my attention before, I would have in fact, done it before. When it came to my attention, I did what was right, and I paid for it myself.”

The near $60,000 that fell through the cracks that the senator later became aware of made up between eight percent and 18 percent of his total assets. Menendez ranks 79 out of 100 in the Senate net worth, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Menendez is facing scrutiny for having accepted two trips to the Dominican Republic aboard the private plane of wealthy campaign contributor Dr. Salomon E. Melgen, a Florida eye surgeon. On Jan. 4, Menendez reimbursed Melgen for the two flights in 2010.The Senate Ethics Committee in investigating whether Menendez acted inappropriately in not reporting the plane trips. Last week, the FBI raided the West Palm Beach office of Dr. Melgen.

At the time of the trips, Menendez was chairman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, which raises money for Democratic Senate candidates, from 2009-2011.

One of the flights in 2010 by Menendez aboard Melgen's plane was a campaign fundraising journey to the donor's residence in the Dominican Republic. That trip was reported to the Federal Election Commission.

However, Menendez categorized the other two trips as personal; one from Aug. 6-9, 2010, a round trip from South Florida to the Dominican Republic; another from Sept. 3-6, 2010, from New Jersey to the Dominican Republic and back.

Menendez press secretary Patricia Enright did not respond to CNSNews.com phone and e-mail inquiries on Monday and Tuesday.

Menendez spoke for the first time to a national audience on CNN Monday, when reporter Dana Bash asked him, “Senator, if you can explain why it took so long to pay back almost $60,000 in flights that you took with your friend?”

Menendez answered, “Well, I was in a big travel schedule in 2010 as the chair of the DSCC, plus my own campaign getting ready for a re-election cycle, and in the process of all of that, it unfortunately fell through the cracks that our processes didn't catch -- moving forward, and making sure that we paid. When it came to my attention that payment had not taken place, I personally paid for them in order to meet my obligation.”

Bash followed, “Because that's a lot of money, and as chair of the DSCC, you do so much traveling -- you know the rules. That's a pretty big chunk of money not to pay back.”

Menendez said, “Well, it's certainly the responsibility of myself, when it came to my attention to do so. Now, if it had come to my attention before, I would have in fact, done it before. When it came to my attention, I did what was right, and I paid for it myself.”

Bash followed up, “And you, of course, understand the perception that when you say it came to your attention, that you didn't pay for it until you got caught.”

Menendez responded, “Well, that's not the case. The bottom line is, when it came to my attention, I paid for it. There are a series of flights that were alleged. Several of them were shown not to be the case. But after the election, when I got to look at the allegations, and I did my own self-inspection, I ultimately came forward. As a matter of fact, one of those flights, I self-reported. It wasn't even anybody raised it.”

Menendez, the new chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was previously chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, which has jurisdiction over matters involving the Dominican Republic.

In 2010, Melgen bought the Caribbean-based ICSSI that had been awarded a contract to provide screening of cargo from ports in the Dominican Republic, the New York Times reported last week. However, the Dominican government was refusing to honor the contract, complaining that it was exorbitant.

Menendez chaired a subcommittee hearing on July 31, 2012, where he brought up the matter, without naming Melgen or the company.

“You have another company that has American investors that is seeking to -- has a contract actually given to it by the Dominican -- currently ratified by the Dominican congress to do its X-Ray of all of the cargo that goes to the ports, which have been problematic, and for which in the past, narcotics have been included in those cargo,” Menendez said at the July hearing, according to a Congressional Quarterly transcript of the hearing.

“And they don't want to live by that contract either. You have, you know, some of the other countries that I have mentioned today with arbitration awards that have gone against them, and yet, they don't want to live by that. Well, what are we willing to do?” he added.

The witnesses at the hearing were Francisco Sanchez, undersecretary for international trade with the Department of Commerce, Jodi Bond, vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Americas Division and Eric Farnsworth, vice president for Council of the Americas.

“Mr. Secretary, this might be more of your alleyway, but what are we willing to do with our directors at the IDB, IMF and other entities, because it just seems to me that if you do not send a message that you cannot, with impunity, go ahead and violate those agreements, trade agreements and arbitration awards which you agreed to as a process, and then still have us voting for you to get monies for a variety of purposes, then, you know what, if those countries can get away with that, they will?” Menendez said to Sanchez. “And that puts American companies at a tremendous disadvantage.”

Bash did not ask the senator about this on the air, but she said on CNN she asked him about it after the camera was off.

“As we were walking away, I also asked him about the allegations that he was trying to help his friend, Dr. Melgen, who is now somebody who is the owner of a potentially lucrative contract with the Dominican Republic, trying to help him to get that contract enforced,” Bash said. “And his answer was that he was just trying to do -- whatever he did was not because of a friend, but trying to do what was right for the policy of the United States with regard to his influence and position as then as a subcommittee chair overseeing that region “

According to Menendez’s 2011 financial disclosure form filed on May 9, 2012, he has rental property in Union City, N.J. valued at between $250,001 and $500,000; between $50,001 and $100,000 in a Congressional Federal Credit Union account; between $15,001 and $50,000 in Senate Federal Credit Union account; between $1,001 and $15,000 in Hudson City Savings Bank and Metropolitan Life Insurance stock valued between $1,001 and $15,000.

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The Broad Way To Progress And Destruction!

Volume XXXII Issue II February 2013

Last Trumpet Ministries, PO Box 806, Beaver Dam, WI 53916

Fax: 920-887-2626 Internet: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org

"They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken."

Jeremiah 6:14-17

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!"

Isaiah 5:20-23

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

Hosea 4:6

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

Matthew 7:13-14

In this issue of the Last Trumpet Newsletter, we will thoughtfully consider the current path of the human race and the many indicators that this world is undergoing a rapid transformation right before our eyes. Throughout the years of his presidency, Barack Obama has often declared that the United States of America is heading in the "right direction." However, if a person is willing to make an honest assessment of this world's present condition, it becomes clear that the situation is not improving but rather growing worse. For example, the recent re-election of Barack Obama as President of the United States seems to usher in a cultural shift, which those of a liberal mindset call "progress." This so-called progress has set the masses on a path which leads them further away from God and ever closer to destruction. This dangerous mindset is highlighted in Jeremiah 6:16 which reads, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein." Jesus also warned us of the propensity of man to take the wrong path and go the wrong direction in Matthew 7:13-14 when he told us, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

In this present age, what was once considered moral and good is now considered immoral by the population at large. For example, those who embrace traditional family values are often criticized for doing so. Conversely, the slaughter of innocent babies through abortion is now considered a virtuous choice by many of the leaders, such as Barack Obama and the liberal politicians who support him here in the United States. Recent research indicates that the majority of the population is also becoming more accepting of the murderous practice. According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, 63 percent of respondents believe that Roe versus Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case which resulted in the legalization of abortion in the United States, should not be overturned. In other words, 63 percent of the poll's respondents are in favor of abortion. (1)

Sadly, abortion is a booming business for groups such as Planned Parenthood. According to a report released in January 2013, Planned Parenthood performed 333,964 abortions in the fiscal year 2011. On average it was the equivalent of one abortion every ninety-four seconds. (2) Regarding these figures, the organization released a statement boasting their accomplishments. "We are so proud of the year's many successes and deeply grateful for all the partners, sponsors, volunteers, staff and friends who helped make them possible," said the statement, which was signed by the group's president, Cecile Richards, and the group's chairwoman, Cecelia Boone. (3) It has also come to light that Planned Parenthood has been cutting back on other health services, such as cancer screenings, in order to facilitate more abortions. (4) These cutbacks on other services have come even as government funding to the group has increased. In 2006 Planned Parenthood received 305.3 million dollars from the United States government. In 2012 that amount rose to 542.4 million dollars. (5) It is a troubling state of affairs when the government sanctions the mass-murder of young children, and the people consider it an acceptable practice.

As readers of the Last Trumpet may recall, I wrote a lengthy section in the January 2013 issue of this newsletter detailing the proliferation of the homosexual lifestyle into mainstream society. Although the Bible firmly condemns homosexuality, there is a constant pressure on the Christian people to embrace it as an acceptable way of life. In a new development, a well-known pastor from the United Kingdom by the name of Steven Chalke has firmly given his support to the homosexual community. "When we refuse to make room for gay people to live in loving, stable relationships, we consign them to lives of loneness, secrecy and fear. It's one thing to be critical of a promiscuous lifestyle - but shouldn't the Church consider nurturing positive models for permanent and monogamous homosexual relationships?" Chalke wrote. (6) Another pastor by the name of Tony Campolo made the following statement regarding Chalke's position: "Steve's public declaration in support of Civil Partnerships will cause reverberations far and wide. His statement represents the first time that a major evangelist and leader in the Evangelical community has come out in support of same-sex relationships." (7) Another report quoted Campolo as stating, "Whether or not we change our positions on accepting same-sex relationships or even gay marriage, we Evangelicals have to face the reality that the time has come for many of us to change our attitudes towards gay people, and show something of the love and grace of God in the name of His Son Jesus." (8)

For those who dare to follow the Biblical doctrine regarding homosexuality, the consequences can be severe. This became obvious when a pastor known as Louie Giglio was forced to withdraw from giving a prayer at Obama's inauguration ceremony after it was discovered that he preached a "vehemently anti-gay" sermon in the mid-1990s. In a statement announcing his withdrawal from the ceremony, Giglio said, "Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda a focal point of the inauguration." (9) In response, a spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee by the name of Addie Whisenhunt declared that her committee was "not aware of Pastor Giglio's past comments at the time of his selection and they don't reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this Inaugural. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans." (10)

In yet another indicator that the American people are straying further away from God, journalists from the mainstream media are now openly denigrating the Holy Bible. In a recent television segment on MSNBC, the host of a program known as "The Last Word" urged Barack Obama to forgo any use of Scripture at the presidential inauguration ceremony. "No one accepts all of the teachings of the Bible - no one. There are no literal followers of the word of God as presented in the Bible left on earth. If there were any, they would have to be burning people at the stake all day, every day," the show's host, Lawrence O'Donnell, declared. Rather than use a Bible at the ceremony, O'Donnell suggested that Barack Obama place his hand on one of his daughter's shoulders. (11) Piers Morgan, a man who a hosts television show on CNN, also criticized the Bible on his program. "But you and I know the Bible is, in many places, a flawed document. My point to you about gay rights for example - it's time for an amendment to the Bible. You should compile a new Bible," Morgan stated. (12)

Piers Morgan also holds a low opinion of the United States Constitution. "Both the Bible and the Constitution were well intentioned but they are basically, inherently flawed. Hence, the need to amend it," Morgan said. (13) The opinion that the Constitution is a flawed document is a sentiment also expressed by Obama. It was in 2001, long before Obama would even be considered a presidential candidate, when he declared, "I don't think the two views are contradictory to say that it was a remarkable political document that paved the way for where we are now, and to say that it also reflected the fundamental flaw of this country that continues to this day." (14)

Even as liberal values are being embraced wholeheartedly in the United States, an effort is being made to silence conservatives and to even paint them as potential terrorists in some cases. A recent report, published by the Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, warned that people they consider to be part of the "far right" on the political spectrum may be dangerous. According to the report, people in this subset of the population "espouse strong convictions regarding the federal government, believing it to be corrupt and tyrannical, with a natural tendency to intrude on individuals' civil and constitutional rights." The report also declares, "While liberal worldviews are future - or progressive - oriented, conservative perspectives are more past-oriented, and in general, are interested in preserving the status quo." (15)

The world as we know it is changing in many ways, and it is not for the better. However, this is not surprising to the Christian people. In fact, the present condition of this world was foretold long ago in the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul plainly warns us in II Timothy 3:13, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." Thankfully, we can put our hope and trust in our Lord and Saviour with the understanding that He will give us strength to withstand the intense spiritual pressure now so evident in this present age. Yes, the majority may be taking that broad way to destruction spoken of by Jesus, but that does not have to be your fate. If you have not yet completely given your heart to God, I urge you to do so now.

Barack Obama's King Complex!

In previous issues of the Last Trumpet, I have written about the messianic undertones often attributed to Barack Obama. The recent re-election of Obama has only stirred the passions of his followers as they give their hearts to this unholy man whom they consider to be a god. One such example of blasphemy occurred on the 2012 Soul Train Awards event, which aired on the BET television network. "It's like church over here. It's like church in here. First of all giving honor to god and lord and savior Barack Obama. Barack Obama," declared Jamie Foxx, whose comments were met with enthusiastic applause. (16) Mr. Foxx tried to downplay his comment later saying he was only attempting to make a joke. "I'm a comic [and] sometimes I think people get a little too tight. And, it's getting a little tougher for us comedians [because] some people take it and want to make a huge story out of it, but it's a joke," Foxx said. (17) Even if he was only joking, it was a blasphemous statement that never should have been made.

Another example of Obama worship occurred in Washington, D.C., on Inauguration Day as street vendors sold their wares to the gathering crowds. One of the items being sold was a poster which featured the following declaration, "Barak is of Hebrew origin and its meaning is 'flash of lightning' in the Bible. Barak is a valiant fighting man who cooperated with the prophetess Deborah to win victory in a battle against overwhelming odds. Hussein is of Biblical meaning: good and handsome. So you see Barak was destined to be a good and handsome man that would rise like a flash of lightning to win victory in a battle against overwhelming odds." The poster then features the words "Prophecy Fulfilled" in large letters under a pious photograph of Barack Obama. (18) Messianic undertones attributed to Barack Obama were also present on the cover of the January 18, 2013, issue of the digital magazine known as Newsweek. The cover features a picture of Barack Obama with the caption "The Second Coming." (19) Additionally, former governor of the state of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, made an appearance on the ABC television program "This Week" where she tried to make the case that the American people should not fear new gun control regulations because Barack Obama is our "protector-in-chief." (20)

It is worthwhile to note that while Obama promised to unite the nation when he was given his first term as president, the United States is now more divided than at any time since the Civil War. Sometimes those who oppose the Obama Administration are not people you would normally expect to do so. One such example is Kesha Rogers, a black woman who was a Democratic nominee for the 22nd Congressional District in Texas. Ms. Rogers lost all support of the Democratic Party when she called for the impeachment of Barack Obama. "Mr. Obama is a puppet of the bankrupt financial system, and has pushed policies made notorious by the Adolph Hitler regime, and since condemned by the entire world," Rogers declared. (21)

Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from the state of Kentucky, also had harsh words for Obama. Speaking of the announcement of twenty-three new executive orders signed by Obama regarding gun control, Senator Paul stated, "That cannot happen. The court struck (President Bill) Clinton down for trying this, and I'm afraid that President Obama may have this king complex sort of developing, and we're going to make sure that it doesn't happen." (22)

An Uproar Over Climate Change!

In recent years, the planet earth has been pummeled by numerous incidents of extreme weather. However, rather than realizing that this calamity is a sign of the times in which we live, politicians and scientists keep fretting over what they call "climate change." The year of 2012 was one of the worst years on record for extreme weather, and the year of 2013 has begun on a very unpleasant note in some regions of the world. "Each year we have extreme weather, but it's unusual to have so many extreme events around the world at once. The heat wave in Australia; the flooding in the U.K., and most recently the flooding and extensive snowstorm in the Middle East - it's already a big year in terms of extreme weather calamity," said Omar Baddour of the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. (23) In the United States, extensive drought has been persistent even as we enter a new year, and some areas of the country are facing widespread shortages that require drastic action. One such example is the small farming community of Wapanucka, Oklahoma, which saw its water source become completely exhausted. The town was forced to run a line to a neighboring district in order to provide water for its citizens. (24) Officials from several states have expressed worry over the drought that just does not seem to go away. "It's going to be dry again this year. We consider this a really big deal," stated Lane Letourneau of the Kansas Agriculture Department. (25) Ronald Gertson, chairman of Colorado Water Issues Committee, has also expressed concern over the water shortages now becoming problematic in his state. "We've got a shortage of water. People are going to be both hungry and thirsty before they wake up to this problem," Gertson said. (26)

Addressing the nation on January 21, 2013, Barack Obama promised to renew his efforts to fight the effects of climate change. "We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms." (27) Obama's plan will likely involve enacting strict new regulations on energy providers in the United States. In fact, new regulations forced Georgia Power, an energy provider from the state of Georgia, to permanently close fifteen coal-fired power plants, which resulted in the loss of 480 jobs. (28) It is probable that we will see many more such closures in the forthcoming months around the United States as the Obama Administration implements new regulations.

Occasionally, environmental extremists will come out and say what they believe is required to actually fight climate change effectively. One such example is Sir David Attenborough, a notable broadcaster and naturalist from the United Kingdom. "We are a plague on the earth. It's coming home to roost over the next fifty years or so. It's not just climate change; it's sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde. Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now," Attenborough declared in a recent interview. (29)

New Evidence That The Earth Is Cracking Apart!

In the book of Isaiah, chapter 24, verses 19-20, we find the following text, "The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again." These verses seem fitting for today when we consider new evidence that the earth itself is beginning to crack apart. One area of concern for geologists is the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which is a fault line that covers a massive expanse of land in the United States. This fault line has the potential to cause a devastating impact in several states, including Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. (30) The New Madrid Seismic Zone was given its name due to a catastrophic earthquake in 1812, which had an epicenter in a small town known as New Madrid, Missouri. The earthquake was so severe that church bells reportedly started ringing in cities as far away as Boston, Massachusetts, and New York, New York. (31) The potential for quakes in the region have caused alarm for Gary Patterson, a geologist at the Center for Earthquake Research and Information in Memphis, Tennessee. "I think most people are aware that earthquakes can occur here, but they just can't remember the last time one shook them. You take the same magnitude earthquake, put one in California, one here. The one here is going to affect ten to twenty times larger an area. That's incredible… We know that the earthquakes of 1811, 1812, were felt 1,000 to 1,200 miles away," Patterson said. (32)

The renewed attention given to this region was spurred by three recent earthquakes which occurred in November 2012. The first of the quakes had a magnitude of 4.3 and occurred in Whitesburg, Kentucky. This shallow quake was reportedly felt in ten states. (33) The other two quakes, which also occurred in November 2012, were felt in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and Edmond, Oklahoma. (34) Although these quakes were only minor and did not cause damage, it could be an indicator that the New Madrid Seismic Zone is waking up. However, this is not the only area of the world experiencing earthquakes. We must remember that the earth is now shaking on an almost constant basis, a fact which becomes evident after just a quick visit to the U.S. Geological Survey website. According to their earthquake tracker, 1228 earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.5 or greater have occurred around the world over the last thirty days as of this writing. (35)

It has also come to light that large sinkholes have been appearing at various locales around the world. There is presently a mysterious sinkhole measuring over eight acres in size, which has forced over two hundred people to evacuate their homes in Bayou Corne, Louisiana. (36) Meanwhile, an incident which occurred in January 2013 forced thirty homes in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to be evacuated after a series of sinkholes formed on one of the city streets. (37) A small village located in China, known as Lianyuan, has reportedly suffered from the formation of over twenty sinkholes in their community since September 2012. (38)

We live in a time when the earth continues to shake, quake, and crack apart. There is a constant barrage of threats to the earth's inhabitants, and it is imperative that the children of God cry out to their Lord and Saviour all the more as we see these fearful sights occurring around the world. I believe these perils will only intensify as we draw ever closer to that notable day when Jesus Christ returns.

A Perfect Storm Of Crises!

In recent years, it seems mankind has fallen under a perpetual cycle of "wars and rumors of wars." Regarding the volatile state of world affairs, particularly in the Middle East, British Foreign Secretary William Hague recently made the following statement at a lecture in Sydney, Australia: "2013 will be a crucial year in the Middle East. We could see a perfect storm of crises converging if the conflict in Syria continues, the Middle East peace process remains stalled, and if Iran will not enter into meaningful negotiations over its nuclear program." (39)

Even as the Middle Eastern nation of Iran suffers from the consequences of sanctions against them, the Iranian government continues to show no fear of the United States and Israel. Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh recently declared that Iran would not stop its nuclear enrichment program "for a second." (40) Meanwhile, the Iranian military has declared it is prepared to defend its borders against any attacks. "The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) Navy enjoys full command over all maritime borders and today we are at the highest level of readiness and might," Iranian Navy General Alireza Tangsiri declared. He further went on to say, "The IRGC Navy has a full control over the entrance and exit of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, we question all ships, vessels and military ships which enter the Strait of Hormuz about their destination, type of vessel, nationality, etc," Tangsiri stated. (41) Ali Akbar Velayati, who is a senior aide to Iran's Supreme Leader, has warned that any attempt to overthrow Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria would be a "red line." "If the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is toppled, the line of resistance in the face of Israel will be broken. We believe that there should be reforms emanating from the will of the Syrian people, but without resorting to violence and obtaining assistance from the (United States of) America," Velayati said. (42)

Tensions have flared between Barack Obama and the nation of Israel in recent weeks. Controversy arose after Obama reportedly declared, "Israel doesn't know what its own best interests are." (43) In response, the recently re-elected Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, was quoted as saying, "I think everyone understands that only Israel's citizens will be the ones to determine who faithfully represents Israel's vital interests. Over the last four years we stood up against strong pressure, and I will continue to do so for Israel's security." (44) It is interesting to note that a recent Bloomberg news report suggested that the nation of Israel may not survive if it alienates itself from the United States. (45) Essam el-Erian, the deputy head of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, has also suggested that the nation of Israel will cease to exist within ten years. (46) While it is not surprising that such a strong opponent of Israel would make such a statement, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger made a similar remark in September 2012 when he reportedly said, "In ten years, there will be no more Israel." (47)

In the meantime, a controversy between the nations of Japan and China has intensified over a disputed chain of islands in the East China Sea. On January 20, 2013, it was reported that Japan has warned China that it may fire warning shots if an unauthorized presence of the Chinese military is detected in the region of the islands. "Every country has procedures for how to deal with a violation of its territory that continues after multiple cautionary measures. We have response measures ready that are consistent with global standards," stated Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera. (48) In response, Major General Peng Guangqian of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences declared the following: "Japan's desire to fire tracer warning shots as a way of frightening the Chinese is nothing but a joke that shows the stupidity, cruelty and failure to understand their own limitations. Firing tracer bullets is a type of provocation; it's firing the first shot. Were Japan to dare to fire tracers, which is to say fire the first shot, then China wouldn't stint on responding and not allow them to fire the second shot." (49)

In closing, I know there is much more that could be said about the amazing events occurring all over the world. We at Last Trumpet Ministries will strive to keep you as informed as we possibly can in the coming months as we continue to watch and pray while the signs that unfold around us declare that Jesus Christ is coming soon. Thank you to our supporters which make this ministry possible. We could not do what we do without your help. We appreciate your kind letters and correspondence, but most of all we appreciate your prayers. If you have any prayer requests, please do not hesitate to send them our way. Each prayer request is always given individual hands-on attention. Grace and peace be unto you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.Samuel David Meyer

Acknowledgements
01. Reuters News Service, January 16, 2013, By Mary Wisniewski, http://news.msn.com.
02. CNS News, January 7, 2013, By Penny Starr, http://cnsnews.com.
03. Ibid.
04. Life News, January 17, 2013, By Rita Diller, http://lifenews.com.
05. Ibid.
06. The Independent, January 15, 2013, By Jerome Taylor, http://independent.co.uk.
07. Ibid.
08. The Huffington Post, January 17, 2013, By Cavan Sieczkowski, http://huffingtonpost.com.
09. CNN, January 10, 2013, By Eric Marrapodi, http://cnn.com.
10. Ibid.
11. The Blaze, January 11, 2013, By Billy Hallowell, http://theblaze.com.
12. The Daily Mail, December 27, 2012, By Daily Mail Reporter, http://dailymail.co.uk.
13. Ibid.
14. Newsmax, October 27, 2008, By David A. Patten, http://newsmax.com.
15. The Washington Times, January 17, 2013, By Rowan Scarborough, http://washingtontimes.com.
16. The Christian Post, December 5, 2012, By Christine Thomasos, http://christianpost.com.
17. Ibid.
18. Fox News, January 20, 2013, By Todd Starnes, http://foxnews.com.
19. Ibid.
20. The National Review, January 20, 2013, By Patrick Brennan, http://nationalreview.com.
21. Your Black World, September 13, 2012, By Your Black World, http://yourblackworld.net.
22. CNS News, January 17, 2013, By Susan Jones, http://cnsnews.com.
23. The New York Times, January 10, 2013, By Sarah Lyall, Worchester, England.
24. Reuters News Service, January 17, 2013, By Carey Gillam, http://news.msn.com.
25. Ibid.
26. Ibid.
27. The Telegraph, January 21, 2013, Transcript of Inaugural Address, http://telegraph.co.uk.
28. Fox News, January 8, 2013, By Fox News, http://foxnews.com.
29. The Telegraph, January 22, 2013, By Louise Gray, http://telegraph.co.uk.
30. Wikipedia, New Madrid Seismic Zone, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid_Fault
31. WREG News, November 15, 2012, By George Brown, http://wreg.com.
32. Ibid.
33. The Examiner, November 10, 2012, By Atlanta Page, http://examiner.com.
34. The Examiner, November 21, 2012, By Atlanta Page, http://examiner.com.
35. The U.S. Geological Survey, Earthquakes - 30 Days, January 23, 2013, http://earthquake.usgs.gov.
36. The Huffington Post, November 30, 2012, By The Huffington Post, http://huffingtonpost.com.
37. CBS 21 News, January 1, 2013, By Kirk Wilson, http://whptv.com.
38. MSN News, January 14, 2013, By Isan Jones, http://news.uk.msn.com.
39. The Times Of Israel, January 17, 2013, By Stuart Winer, http://timesofisrael.com.
40. Reuters News Service, January 19, 2013, By Reuters News Service, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
41. Fars News Agency, January 21, 2013, By Fars News Agency, http://english.farsnews.com.
42. Reuters News Service, January 20, 2013, By Sami Aboudi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
43. Bloomberg News, January 14, 2013, By Jeffrey Goldberg, http://bloomberg.com.
44. The Jerusalem Post, January 16, 2013, By Herb Keinon, http://jpost.com.
45. Bloomberg News, January 14, 2013, By Jeffrey Goldberg, http://bloomberg.com.
46. The Telegraph, January 1, 2013, By Richard Spencer, Cairo, Egypt.
47. The New York Post, September 17, 2012, By Cindy Adams, http://nypost.com.
48. Associated Press, January 20, 2013, By Eric Talmadge, Tokyo, Japan.
49. Ibid.

Special Note: A new tribute website for Pastor David J. Meyer can now be accessed at http://pastormeyer.org.

Comments regarding this newsletter or topic suggestions may be submitted to editor@lasttrumpetnewsletter.org.
If you would like to submit a prayer request, you may send email to prayer@ltmmail.org or mail it to our postal address.

http://lasttrumpetnewsletter.org/2013/02_13.html

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Magnitude 8.0 earthquake generates three-foot tsunami in South Pacific

Published February 06, 2013

Associated Press




Map locates an 8.0-magnitude earthquake that generated a 0.9 meter (3 feet) tsunami in the Solomon Islands. (AP)


A powerful earthquake off the Solomon Islands generated a tsunami of up to 5 feet that damaged dozens of homes and likely killed several people in the South Pacific island chain on Wednesday.

Authorities canceled warnings for tsunamis on more distant coasts.

Solomons officials reported two 4 foot, 11-inch waves hit the western side of Santa Cruz Island, damaging around 50 homes and properties, said George Herming, a spokesman for the prime minister. Many villagers had headed to higher ground as a precaution, Herming said.

,,,,

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/02/05/tsunami-warning-issued-in-pacific-after-magnitude-80-quake-near-solomon-islands/#ixzz2K64l7wkW

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Facebook, we need a break: Study finds 61 percent of users left site for weeks at a time

Published February 05, 2013, 11:30 PM

NEW YORK — Too much drama, boredom and scads of irrelevant information are just some of the reasons Facebook users give for taking a break from the world's biggest social networking site for weeks at a time, according to a new study.

By: Associated Press, INFORUM


A Facebook vacation

Associated Press photo

NEW YORK — Too much drama, boredom and scads of irrelevant information are just some of the reasons Facebook users give for taking a break from the world's biggest social networking site for weeks at a time, according to a new study.

A report from the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project found that some 61 percent of Facebook users had taken a hiatus of at least several weeks for myriad reasons, whether they were weary from an onslaught of gossip, or for the more pious, the arrival of Lent.

Yet the use of Facebook, whether constant or not, is pervasive in America.

Of the American adults who use the Internet, 67 percent are on Facebook, Pew found. That compares with 20 percent who use LinkedIn and 16 percent who are on Twitter.

But users do come and go, some temporarily, and some for good. Seven percent of Internet users said they used Facebook at one point but no longer do. By its own count, Facebook Inc. has 1.06 billion users worldwide who check in at least once a month. This includes millions of duplicate and fake accounts. More than 150 million uses are in the U.S.

Source

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Ireland admits involvement in Catholic laundry slavery

CBS/AP/ 

February 5, 2013, 12:37 PM



A man looks at a burial plot for victims of the Magdalene Laundries in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, on the eve of the report to investigate the state's role in the laundries. / PRESS ASSOCIATION VIA AP IMAGES



DUBLINIreland has admitted some responsibility for workhouses run by Catholic nuns that once kept thousands of women and teenage girls against their will in unpaid, forced labor.

The apology comes after an expert panel found that Ireland should be legally responsible for the defunct Magdalene Laundries because authorities committed about one-quarter of the 10,012 women to the workhouses from 1922 to 1996, often in response to school truancy or homelessness.

"To those residents who went through the Magdalene Laundries in a variety of ways, 26 percent of the time from state involvement, I am sorry for those people that they lived in that kind of environment," said Prime Minister Enda Kenny on behalf of the Irish government, according to Reuters.

Survivors said they were unsatisfied with the prime minister's response. Steven O'Riordan, spokesperson for Magdalene Survivors Together, told Irish paper The Journal the apology was a "cop out."

Ireland stigmatized those that had been committed as "fallen" women - prostitutes - but most were simply unwed mothers or their daughters.

The report found that 15 percent lived in the workhouses for more than five years, and police caught and returned women who fled. They endured 12-hour work days of washing and ironing.

The state apology could pave the way for payments to survivors.

Source

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U.S. cities are death traps like Brazilian nightclub

TheHealthRanger

Published on Jan 28, 2013

Here's why major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia are death traps just like the Brazilian nightclub that recently went up in flames, killing 230 people.

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Protestant Denominations, Catholics Sign Ecumenical ‘Mutual Recognition of Baptism’ Agreement

By: Heather Clark 

January 30, 2013

Austin, Texas – Leaders from several Protestant denominations met with representatives from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops last night to sign an ecumenical document agreeing to recognize each other’s baptisms.

The document, entitled “These Living Waters: Common Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Baptism,” has been approximately four years in the making. The Presbyterian Church USA was reportedly the first to deliberate the move, followed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“The Common Agreement affirms that both Catholic and Reformed Christians hold that baptism is the sacramental bond of unity for the Body of Christ, which is to be performed only once, by an authorized minister, with flowing water, using the Scriptural Trinitarian formula of ‘Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” wrote the bishops in a news release about the matter two years ago.

Therefore, if a person is baptized by a Catholic priest but later converts to a Protestant church, the denominations involved in the ecumenical gesture agree to accept the baptism and not ask that the person be baptized over again — and vice versa.

The Common Agreement was signed last night in Austin, Texas by members of both the Presbyterian Church USA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as the Christian Reformed Church of North America, the Reformed Church of America and the United Church of Christ.

Writer Brian Cross says that while there has been somewhat of an alliance between Protestants and Catholics over the matter for centuries, disagreement has remained.

“The Catholic Church has long recognized the validity of Protestant baptisms in which the person was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” he explained. “In the last ten or fifteen years, however, there were concerns among Catholic bishops regarding Protestant baptisms in which different names were substituted for the Holy Trinity, or in which a method of sprinkling was used that did not achieve any flow of water on the skin.”

“The Dutch and German Reformed traditions have generally recognized the validity of Catholic baptisms, as have most Presbyterian churches. The major exception to this were the Presbyterian churches in the United States since the time of James Henry Thornwell in the mid-nineteenth century, especially in the south. Thornwell argued that Catholic baptisms were invalid because Catholic priests were not ‘lawful ministers of the Word,’” Cross continued. “Some Reformed denominations in the United States remain on Thornwell’s side of that debate, and still do not necessarily accept the validity of Catholic baptisms.”

While there remains debate over whether Protestants — those who agree with Reformers such as Martin Luther, who rebuked and separated from the Roman Catholic Church with his “95 theses,” a document that outlined his many concerns with the establishment’s traditions and teachings — should agree to recognize Catholic baptisms, the greater question of whether Protestants and Catholics should engage in any forms of ecumenicism at all continues to be an issue among Christians.

“Everybody’s afraid to say that Roman Catholics are not Christians, and that if you make that statement, you are perceived as unloving or old school,” stated Pastor Jon Speed of the Log College and Christ is King Baptist Church in Syracuse, New York. “But, either we’re trying to hide what we believe about the Gospel, or we don’t really believe it.”

Source

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Christian Churches Together urges fundamental immigration reform

Church of the Brethren Newsline

February 4, 2013





Christian leaders representing the breadth of Christian churches and denominations in the United States issued a strong and urgent call for fundamental immigration reform at an annual meeting of Christian Churches Together (CCT). The statement was released Feb. 1 at the close of the four-day gathering in Austin, Texas.



For the latest Brethren news go to the main Newsline page


The Church of the Brethren, which is a member denomination of CCT, was represented by general secretary Stan Noffsinger, Annual Conference moderator Bob Krouse and moderator-elect Nancy Heishman, and Brethren Press publisher Wendy McFadden who serves on the CCT steering committee. During the annual meeting, McFadden was elected president of the “Historic Protestant Family,” one of five “families” of churches that make up CCT.

The entire CCT meeting, planned a year ago, focused on the challenge of immigration reform, hearing from “dreamers,” a variety of immigrants, and experts on immigration issues. Its statement comes as the nation’s political leadership has turned its attention during the past week to this challenge. The CCT leaders said they would engage this debate “as followers of Jesus Christ who commanded us to welcome the stranger.”

“Each day in our congregations and communities, we bear witness to the effects of a system that continues the separation of families and the exploitation, abuse, and deaths of migrants. This suffering must end,” the statement declared in part (see full text below).

The diverse group, representing leadership from Catholic, Evangelical/Pentecostal, Historic Protestant, Orthodox, and Historic Black churches, agreed on these unified principles:

-- An earned path to citizenship for the 11 million people in the US without authorization.

-- The priority of family reunification in any immigration reform.

-- Protecting the integrity of national borders and protecting due process for immigrants and their families.

-- Improving refugee protection laws and asylum laws.

-- Reviewing international economic policies to address the root causes of unauthorized immigration.

During the course of the CCT gathering, the group heard from immigration advocates from evangelical organizations such as World Relief, immigration policy experts at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, legislative advocates serving major Protestant denominations, and leaders from the Hispanic Christian community, among others.

The statement issued represents the broadest coalition of Christian denominations and groups to address together the urgency of fundamental immigration reform. It will be followed by advocacy to members of Congress from the membership of denominations and groups represented at the Austin meeting.

See www.christianchurchestogether.org for further information.

“Statement on Immigration Reform” by Christian Churches Together in the USA
February 1, 2013
Austin, Texas

Christian Churches Together in the USA, representing the breadth of Christian churches and denominations in the US, gathered in Austin, Texas, for its annual meeting to focus on the challenge of immigration reform. We heard from “dreamers,” a variety of immigrants, and experts on immigration issues. Through a process of prayer, reflection, and discernment of God’s call, we agreed on a statement that provides principles for just and humane immigration reform. In this hour, as our nation launches a national debate seeking immigration reform, we call upon people of faith, people of good will, elected officials in Congress, and the President of the United States to work together to enact just and humane immigration reform legislation in 2013.

As Christian leaders and Christian communities, we engage in this debate as followers of Jesus Christ, who commanded us to “welcome the stranger” (Matthew 25:35), and advised that “just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

As Christians we believe that all will be judged, in part, by the way they treat strangers in their midst. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left” (Matthew 25:31, 32a). We acknowledge that members of our own faith communities have been complicit in the establishment and reinforcement of our current system through active political engagement and apathetic inaction. As a moral matter, we cannot tolerate an immigration system that exploits migrants, is inhospitable, and fails to offer immigrants the full protection of the law.

While immigration is often viewed as an economic, social, or legal issue, it is ultimately a humanitarian and spiritual issue that directly impacts millions of unauthorized immigrants and the entire fabric of our society. The Bible frequently commands us to treat the immigrant justly. Further, every person is created in the image of God and possesses inestimable value. It is therefore paramount that our national immigration system protects the basic human rights and dignity of all persons. Sadly, our current system fails to meet this test and requires comprehensive reform now.

The timing of our statement on immigration is ever more poignant given that our country is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. We are reminded that there are those in our nation whose forebears were brought here involuntarily through the unjust institution of slavery. There are also those who lived here long before others arrived who experienced the denial of their basic human rights. Each day in our congregations and communities, we bear witness to the effects of a system that continues this legacy of separation of families and the exploitation, abuse, and deaths of migrants. This suffering must end. Therefore, in our relentless effort to achieve a more perfect union, we urge our elected officials to enact immigration reform consistent with the following principles and policies:

Pathway to citizenship

The 11 million individuals now in the US without authorization should be given an opportunity to earn citizenship, if the individual chooses. Many have built equities in our nation and have contributed to the economic and social fabric of this country. Such reforms would ensure that families are not separated and that the undocumented population can fully enjoy the rights and responsibilities of US citizenship. (Leviticus 18:33-34)

Family reunification

Family reunification should be the cornerstone of our nation’s immigration policy. Immigrant families have helped build this nation economically and socially, and will continue to do so. We support changes to the family-based immigration system, which expedite the reunification of families. Family-based visa categories should not be eliminated or reduced and the current lengthy backlogs should be addressed. (Mark 10:9)

Enforcement and due process

Enforcement measures should be just and include due process protections for immigrants. We support the right of our nation to defend our borders and to ensure the integrity of the workplace through immigration enforcement. However, for over twenty-five years, our nation has pursued an enforcement-only policy toward immigration, with severe humanitarian consequences. At the same time that our nation has spent billions of dollars on immigration enforcement, the number of undocumented in the nation has more than tripled. Millions have been incarcerated unnecessarily, thousands of families have been separated, and thousands have died attempting to enter the United States. We urge Congress to review our enforcement policies and restore due process protections to immigrants and their families in a way that respects their God-given dignity, including reform of our detention laws. (Exodus 1:1-22)

The human dignity and image of God has been further violated as a result of the cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies that leads to racial profiling of people suspected of being in the US without authorization. Immigration laws should be reformed and implemented in a way that does not facilitate racial profiling. Enforceable detention standards and reforms should be established and include the review of partnerships between the federal government and for-profit prison corporations.

Refugees and asylum seekers

Refugees and asylum seekers should receive special protection as particularly vulnerable migrants because they are fleeing persecution. The United States has a moral obligation to continue to provide protection to ensure refugees and asylum seekers are able to find safety in the United States through the appropriate processes and not at heightened risk of being returned to their persecutors. There should be improvements to the asylum process to ensure asylum seekers are not detained upon arrival and are given a fair opportunity to express a fear of persecution. There should also be more robust support of the refugee resettlement program and adequate resources to help refugees integrate upon their arrival to the United States. We are also mindful of the millions of families and individuals waiting for resettlement, living, raising families, and dying in temporary refugee camps, and the many who perish attempting to reach those camps. (Matthew 2:13-18)

Root causes
In order to find a long-term solution to the problem of unauthorized immigration, the root causes of such migration should be examined. Persons should be able to find employment in their home countries in order to sustain their families in a place that is free from fear and violence. At a minimum, Congress and the Administration should review our international economic policies to ensure that they do not encourage unauthorized migration and do not eliminate living wage jobs in sending countries. Our country should help to foster job opportunities and respect for human rights in the countries from which many immigrants come. (Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-5)

As Christian Churches Together, we recommit ourselves to be promoters and examples of justice, showing hospitality and love for the immigrant; for we know we may be “entertaining angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). We call for our nation to engage in an immigration debate that is conducted in a civil manner and does not dehumanize immigrants. We will speak out and educate communities about the past and current contributions of immigrants in building and growing this nation. Finally, we will work with our elected officials to ensure that, consistent with the aforementioned policies and principles, the human rights of immigrants are protected in any final legislation.

(This report is adapted from a press release from Christian Churches Together.)

Source

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Calif. preschool closing after alleged sex between 4- and 5-year-olds

Parents are teaming up to file a lawsuit citing inept supervision after two boys at First Lutheran Church of Carson School reportedly received oral sex from a 5-year-old girl.

BY CHRISTINE ROBERTS / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2013, 6:19 PM






A California preschool is reportedly closing its doors amidst allegations of sexual activity among several of its students.



A California preschool is reportedly shutting down after disturbing allegations of sexual activity among several of its 4- and 5-year-old students emerged.

First Lutheran Church of Carson School is closing midsemester amid reports that two boys received oral sex from a 5-year-old girl on school grounds, according to KABC-TV.

Attorney Greg Owen, who is representing some of the children's families, said the sexual acts took place at nap time, at a school playground and at an outside bathroom.

"It all boils down to a lack of supervision," Owen told ABC News. "There were times when teachers would let aides in the room for hours at a time to watch the kids. During nap time, the aides would be sleeping, and the children would have been molesting each other during this time."

RELATED: GIRL, 15, GANG-RAPED DURING CLASS: SUIT

Owen is representing several parents who are planning to file a lawsuit against the Carson, Calif., school, which has allegedly been cited by the California Department of Social Services for "at least one sexual incident that involved young students."

School officials told KABC that its decision to close comes after the school director resigned due to personal reasons and has nothing to do with the allegations.

Parent Richard McCarthy says that's far from the truth.

He said his son received oral sex from the young girl on multiple occasions.

RELATED: N.J. TEACHER BUSTED FOR HAVING SEX WITH 16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT




Richard McCarthy says his son received oral sex from a 5-year-old girl multiple times.



"He told me about all the bad things that girl had been doing to him," McCarthy told the local station. "It went down in the classroom, it went down in the bathroom and it went down out on the playground."

At least one other boy allegedly received oral sex from the same girl.

"Their lives will be ruined in many ways," Owen told ABC News of the children. "And we know there are many more (victims)."

Parents, meanwhile, are struggling to find new schools for their kids.

RELATED: GEORGIA TEACHER ARRESTED FOR SEX WITH STUDENTS

"There's no way I can just take him to another school and be that parent that just lets a predator loose," McCarthy said of his son. "How else do you explain it?"

McCarthy said he spoke to three other parents who are worried about sending their kids elsewhere.

"Parents are saying, ‘My child is now a predator. Now how can I let him go to another school?’" he explained.

"There were many children lying there, and they watched these acts. In our business and in psychological terms, that's sexualizing a child at a young age."

croberts@nydailynews.com

On a mobile device? Watch video here.

Video:
http://landing.newsinc.com/shared/video.html?freewheel=69016&sitesection=nydailynews&VID=24306814


Source
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The Chaplains of the U.S. Congress

Dr. Barry Black Chaplain of the U.S. Senate (the first Seventh-day Adventist, and the first military chaplain to hold the office of chaplain to the United States).

The Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, Chaplain, U.S. House of Representatives (is a Jesuit Priest who is serving as the 60th Chaplain of the House of Representatives).

What a dichotomy? 

An Adventist Chaplain and a Roman Catholic Jesuit priest as spiritual advisors on Capitol Hill?

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In Whose Name?

I see an aversion to using the name of Jesus in Dr. Barry Black's (Chaplain of the U.S. Senate)  prayer as I view these 2 recent 'prayers' on video.

Does anyone else see this?
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1. Prayer during Fiscal Cliff Negotations




2. Prayer for Sandy Hook Victims

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Boy Scouts of America board set to consider ending ban on gays

By Marice Richter

DALLAS | Mon Feb 4, 2013 7:01am EST

(Reuters) - Boy Scouts of America board members will meet this week to debate ending a controversial national ban on gay membership, prompting groups both for and against the move to converge on its Texas headquarters for demonstrations.
The national executive board, which lists more than 70 members, is expected to vote on Wednesday, the last day of a three-day meeting, on whether to lift the ban they had reaffirmed just last year amid criticism from gay rights groups and gay former Scouts and Scout leaders.

The Boy Scouts has not responded to inquiries about the private meeting, but activists for and against lifting the ban said they expected a vote on Wednesday.

The organization said on January 28 that it was considering removing the national restriction based on sexual orientation and leaving the decision to local chapters. It said it would not dictate a position to units, members or to parents.

Gay rights activists have said lifting the national ban, but allowing local units to maintain a ban, would not go far enough.

The board meeting comes as the century-old youth organization that prides itself on teaching boys life skills such as camping and leadership, faces membership declines and a donations boycott by some corporations over its anti-gay policy.

Youth membership in the Boy Scouts has dropped 21 percent since 2000 to nearly 2.7 million. Adult leader membership has fallen 14 percent to just over 1 million, and the number of units has declined 12.6 percent to 108,971.

Activists have pressed corporations, including Merck and UPS, as well as the Intel Foundation to withhold contributions to the Boy Scouts while the ban stands.

The Boy Scouts has also faced criticism for keeping from public view files covering decades of reports of child sex abuse in the organization. It released thousands of pages of files covering 1965 to 1985 in October under a court order.

The drive to lift the ban gained a powerful ally on Sunday in PresidentBarack Obama. In an interview with CBS, anchor Scott Pelley asked the president if he believed scouting should be open to gays, Obama said: "Yes."

"My attitude is ... that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does, in every institution and walk of life," said Obama, who last year gave his backing to the right to same sex couples to marry.

"The Scouts are a great institution that are promoting young people and exposing them to, you know, opportunities and leadership that will serve people for the rest of their lives, and I think that nobody should be barred (from) that."

But Texas Governor Rick Perry, an Eagle Scout, told reporters on Saturday he did not see a reason for the Boy Scouts to change its longstanding policy, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Parents are also split on the proposal. Pam Bakowski, the mother of an Eagle Scout and former den leader and Cub master who lives in the Dallas area, said the Boy Scouts were about teaching life skills and leadership.

"I think the ban is ridiculous and needs to be lifted," Bakowski said.

The mother of an Eagle Scout, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Denise, said she opposed lifting the ban.

"The current policy has worked fine for more than 100 years so there is no reason to change it," she said. "If my son had been in a troop with a gay leader, I would have taken him out."

LOBBYING BEFORE THE VOTE

The Boy Scouts won a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2000 that upheld the organization's ban on gays, but it has come under increasing public pressure in recent years from activists.

The faith-based groups that have the most Boy Scouts youth members - the Mormon church, the United Methodist Church and the Catholic Church in that order - have so far stood by the Scouts.

Many local chapters have said they were waiting for the national board to render a verdict before weighing in, others want board members to take more time to consider a decision.

"We believe that any decision that strikes at the core of our 103-year history merits full input from all stakeholders in deliberation and discussion," The Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America said in a statement.

Activists on both sides of the issue urged supporters to lobby board members before the meeting and plan demonstrations at Boy Scouts headquarters in Irving, Texas, this week.

"Save our Scouts" plans a prayer vigil in support of the ban for Wednesday morning to coincide with the expected vote.

Activists who support lifting the ban plan to deliver more than 1.4 million signatures from online petition drives to Boy Scouts headquarters on Monday.

Jennifer Tyrrell, a lesbian mother from Ohio who was ousted as a Scout den leader, and Eric Andresen, whose gay son was denied the award of Eagle Scout - the highest achievement of Scouting - plan to be among activists delivering the signatures.

Two Boy Scouts board members have said publicly they support change. Jim Turley, chairman and chief executive of Ernst & Young, has called for ending the ban and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson has said he favors change from within and supports diversity.

(Additional reporting and writing by David Bailey in Minneapolis; Editing by Tim Gaynor and Christopher Wilson)

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Iron Rule (DVD 1 Part 1)

Description:

We are on the brink of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! The nation is in extreme ferment across the land. Millions, seeing the handwriting on the wall, are preparing for the worst.

For the full series:
http://ftsnlibrary.fightingtyrannyforsalvation.com/sermons/video-sermons/iron-rule/

Video added on: 03-10-2010 03:36:20

Keywords: bob trefz wrm sda iron rule series

Language: English
Shooting location: United States


Video address: http://tcp.kewego.co.uk/video/iLyROoaf8ocU.html

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Author: ftsnadmin
Duration: 00:52:54

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Iron Rule DVD 1 Part 2



Views: 154

Duration: 00:07:22

Added on 03-10-2010


Iron Rule DVD 2 Part 1



Views: 231

Duration: 00:52:54

Added on 03-10-2010



Iron Rule DVD 2 Part 2



Views: 106

Duration: 00:13:10

Added on 03-10-2010



Iron Rule DVD 3 Part 1 



Views: 129

Duration: 00:52:54

Added on 03-10-2010



Iron Rule DVD 3 Part 2

Views: 92
Duration: 00:32:36
Added on 03-10-2010

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Happy Sabbath

Poll: Most Americans Feel Threatened By Government

For the first time, survey finds majority of Americans feel under siege


By SETH CLINE    

January 31, 2013 

New York police grab at protesters during a mass arrest on the Brooklyn Bridge, Oct. 1, 2011. Police allowed around 700 people onto the bridge before surrounding and arresting them all.

A new survey from Pew Research Center finds more than half of Americans believe the government threatens their personal rights.

The national survey, conducted in mid-January, marks the first time a majority viewed the government as a threat since Pew began tracking public opinion on the subject in 1995.

This year 53 percent of the poll's respondents answered 'yes' when asked if the federal government "threatens your personal rights and freedoms." This year's poll also found more people viewed the government as a "major threat" than ever before.

[ENJOY: Political Cartoons Tease the TSA]

All of the survey's highest perceptions of the threat of government have come since President Barack Obama took office in 2009.

The survey was conducted from January 9-13, as Obama was about to begin his second term by pushing for reform of the nation's gun laws in the wake of the shooting at a Connecticut elementary school late last year. Of those who have guns in their homes, 62 percent viewed the government as a threat, up five percentage points from 2010.

However, the survey found negative feelings towards the government as a whole, and Congress in particular, are widespread.

[STUDY: Black Americans Feel Less Empowered Under Obama]

Respondents of all political affiliations felt more threatened this year than in 2010, when 47 percent felt threatened overall.

And 75 percent of those surveyed said they don't trust the government to "do the right thing" most of the time, if at all, a sentiment which held true across all ideologies and demographics. A similar consensus—68 percent—found Congress to be unfavorable, and majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents believed Congress' problem was not its political system as a whole, but its individual members.

Though some unhappiness was nonpartisan, the poll results show Republicans and conservatives are most upset with the state of the American political system.



A full 70 percent of those who identified as Republican felt threatened by the government, compared to just 38 percent of Democrats.

Republicans also have more anger towards the federal government since Obama took office. Nearly a third of respondents identifying as conservative said they were angry with government in this year's survey, while only 6 percent of that same group felt angry while George W. Bush was president in 2006.

The opposite is true of those identifying as Democrats and liberals, who were angrier during the Bush administration (though still less angry than their counterparts have been in the Obama years).

Pew polled about 1,500 adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the survey.

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Mahony removed from public church duties

Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

'Terrible failure' is cited in dramatic action

By Los Angeles Times Staff

Archbishop Jose Gomez says Roger Mahony, left, the former leader of the Catholic Church in L.A., is relieved of his public and administrative roles after recent revelations in the priest abuse scandal. Santa Barbara's bishop steps down.

Mahony's ouster debated at L.A. church | 9:30 p.m.

Text of Archbishop Gomez's letter to the church community

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The Bob Menendez ‘standard’

Last Updated: 10:49 PM, January 31, 2013
Posted: February 01, 2013


Bob Menendez is certainly raising new questions about what the Senate means by “foreign relations.”

As the New Jersey Democrat assumes the chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he finds himself facing an FBI probe. Among the most serious allegations against him is that he engaged underage prostitutes during trips to the Dominican Republic paid for by a wealthy donor.

The bureau this week raided the offices of that donor, a Miami doctor who flew Menendez to a resort on his private jet for free, trips the senator failed to disclose until reporters discovered the truth.

AP
Bob Menendez

Menendez has now reimbursed the donor $58,500 for the flights, but his office denies reports that the 59-year-old senator has been traveling to the Caribbean to cavort with underage girls.

As officials sort out the charges and denials, it’s illuminating to look back at how Menedez responded in October, after US Secret Service officers doing advance work for a presidential visit to Colombia were caught bringing prostitutes to their rooms.

“If the facts are true, they should all be fired,” he said back then, though under Colombian law it’s not illegal to hire hookers.

“The reality is that the Secret Service . . . represent[s] the United States of America.”

He got that right. We don’t know yet whether Menendez is guilty. But if, in his words, “the facts turn out to be true,” surely the Mendendez standard ought to be applied to Bob Menendez, too.

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