A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


Showing posts with label Foreign policy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foreign policy. Show all posts

January 2, 2017

Israel & The U.S.: Will We Be Blessed or Cursed?

   
     If you have any knowledge of the Bible and how God feels about His inheritance, Israel, then you were as astonished as I was to hear out-going Secretary of State, John Kerry support the UN resolution against Israel: "If the choice is one-state, Israel can either be Jewish or democratic, it cannot be both and it won't ever live in peace."  How arrogant!  Who are we to counsel another sovereign nation on their faith and their form of government?  Oh, yeah, I forgot ... we seem to have done that quite a bit in the last few decades.  But when it comes to Israel, we are playing with fire; and I mean heavenly fire!
     There is a very real and stark reality that this modern world does not comprehend, and it goes back all the way to the Tower of Babel.  Remember that in Genesis, Chapter 11, God was displeased that the peoples of the earth had come together to build a city and a tower, "with its top in the heavens".  The Bible then tells us, So the Lord dispersed them from there [Babel/Babylon] over the face of all the earth.  But that's not the end of the story!  Deuteronomy 32 gives us a fuller picture:  Remember the days of old .... When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He divided mankind, He fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God (elohim, lesser gods).  But the Lord's portion (share) is His people, Jacob (Israel) His allotted heritage.
     Here's the picture we need to see:  God was so angry with His creation, mankind, at the building of the Tower of Babel, that He, in essence, divided them into nations to be ruled by lesser gods.  But He kept a portion for Himself.  That allotment He called Israel -- before the nation of Israel even existed! This is long before He calls Abraham out of the world, and before He establishes Jacob and his offspring as a nation unto themselves.  It has alway been His plan that there would be a nation Israel that He called His own!
     At this point, I want to make it clear that I do not think that the modern state of Israel completely fulfills the description of the people that YHWH plans to restore at the end of this Age.  But they are the Diaspora returned to their original homeland; God's Holy Land that He has determined will be restored to the remnant of Judah.  There are many Believing Jews living in Israel right now, and I do believe Jerusalem is the eternal capital of His chosen people.  I believe the Bible when it says there will be a restoration of Israel and physical and spiritual salvation of God's people. One can learn a lot of how God feels about this nation and this people if only one would read His Word!
     So, that is why I was dumbfounded when I heard Secretary Kerry say Israel cannot be both Jewish and democratic.  That's how God established them in the Bible, and that's why they can still be both today.  There is a fascinating book, written by Robert Kimball Shinkoskey, titled Democracy and the Ten Commandments: The Politics of Limited Government in the Bible.  The author does a great job of explaining how God guided Moses to set up a democratic government within the twelve tribes of Israel... "It is telling that God's first commandment to Moses, 'Go and gather the elders of Israel together', later inspired the first commandment given to the entire nation at Sinai (You shall have no other gods before Me).  The priority and content of the first constitutional article was to define and empower a legislative body to rule in Israel.  The God of Israel was the originator and protector of this national legislature.
     Shinkoskey goes on to expound that God essentially receded into the background to let the people begin the work of civic policy-making.  The encouragement of God to Moses to "Go and gather" the elders of Israel essentially meant, "Go and make sure the voices of the people in every tribe, clan, and family are heard".  They would do that by organizing themselves into governing bodies in the tribes and deciding policy for themselves.  The tribes came together from a tremendous variety of religious and political views, and they found a way to govern themselves as a nation.  In effect, they were a democratic confederation -- a society that used locally elected representatives to make the laws for a people, who then agreed to live by them.  And they continued in their covenant faith with YHWH. The ultimate fate of the Biblical nation of Israel was that they would remain democratic AND Jewish.
     Now, I understand that modern secularist politicians probably don't care what the Bible has to say about ancient Israel or any implications that may pertain to the current state of Israel.  But they do that at their own peril -- and ours!  God has made it clear throughout history that those who bless His inheritance, Israel, will be blessed, and those who come against her will be cursed.
      Being at the center of regional conflict is nothing new for Israel.  Throughout her history, the nation of Israel has been the target of its neighbors' hatred for God's chosen people.  This has been Israel's fate from the ancient Canaanite kings, to the Syrian/Egyptian/Greek wars, to Roman occupation, to the Jewish–Roman wars of 66–136 AD, during which the Romans expelled most of the Jews from the area and replaced the nation of Israel with the Roman province of Palestine, beginning the Jewish Diaspora. And along with all of Israel's previous enemies, the Roman Empire was doomed to fail!  And for nearly 1850 years, the Jewish people were separated from their God-designated homeland.
     Was God's Hand involved with the re-establishment of a homeland for the world's Jews in 1948?  The fact that they are back in the land that God established for His people gives us pause to consider how we treat this nation.  Have they, as a nation, confessed "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord"?  Only a minority in the modern state of Israel have made that declaration and see Jesus as their Messiah.  So, in that sense, they are still rebellious in their denial of Christ.
     But the world should not forget that YHWH made this declaration in Ezekiel 28:25-26: "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel will again live in their own land, the land I gave my servant Jacob. For I will gather them from the distant lands where I have scattered them. I will reveal to the nations of the world my holiness among my people. They will live safely in Israel and build their homes and plant their vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the Lord their God." 
     So, as soon as I heard the discouraging words coming out of John Kerry's mouth, I said the following prayer:  Please, God, do not judge those of us who love Israel because of the words of our leaders!  Do not hold us accountable for their actions! We recognize that Your Word says You will gather Israel and once again do a work in them that will bring them into their fulness.  We recognize that means the full number of Jews who will see Salvation in Jesus; that they will operate in their full power as a Godly nation; that they will operate in their full character as a righteous people; and that they will enter into their full purpose of world leadership.
     We acknowledge that hasn't happened yet, and that it will occur in your timing, and only after Israel has repented for her sins and rebellion against You.  But, Father, until that glorious day, we stand by Your chosen people, Israel, as we pledge to fulfill our purpose, which is to witness to all the nations.  Lord, forgive our transgressions as a nation, and turn the hearts of our leaders back to Israel. We pledge our loyalty and allegiance to You and Your people.  And we look forward to the day You return to Jerusalem to dwell among men as you did before sin entered this world.  I ask for Your blessing, Father, for this nation of Believers and for those in Israel, who know the risen Christ. Amen.

Psalm 122:6     Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!

April 4, 2015

Is This Another Warning?

      If you will recall, back in July of 2012, I wrote a post titled America and Israel: Destinies Intertwined, in which I highlighted natural and political disasters that have come upon our land after our nation's leaders negotiated deals that harmed Israel.  As that post chronicled, we have suffered major hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and economic woes after pressuring Israel to give up land for a Palestinian state.
     Now, here we are negotiating with Iran; the biggest proponent of state-sponsored terrorism against Israel. Even if you are shy about giving full credence to Wikipedia you cannot ignore their description of Iran:  "Since the declaration of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979, the government of Iran has been accused by the USA of funding, providing equipment, weapons, training and giving sanctuary to terrorists."  Our own State Department has called them "an active state sponsor of terrorism"; and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called them "a kind of central banker for terrorism ... through Hezbollah in the Middle East."  And need I remind you that Hezbollah is desperately trying to perfect their missile delivery systems to destroy Israel.
     Now, here we are in the Spring of 2015.  The United States is desperate to claim victory in a battle of the wills with Iran over their nuclear program.  Deadlines have been pushed back, with Iran stalling for more time to gain their objective ... a nuclear bomb to deploy against Israel.  And we seem to be doing everything we can to accommodate them.
     So, it came as no surprise to me that just hours before our nation announced that "we have achieved the framework for that deal", there is a 4.0 magnitude earthquake along a portion of the New Madrid Fault.  Was this a warning sign from God, indicating that He is ready to judge us with the mega-disaster that has been predicted for years now?  Is He telling us not to finalize this deal with Iran; a deal that will certainly put Israel in the crosshairs of a nuclear bomb?
     In case you are unfamiliar with the New Madrid Fault, it is a MAJOR seismic zone and a prolific source of intraplate earthquakes (earthquakes within a tectonic plate) in the southern and midwestern United States, stretching to the southwest from New Madrid, Missouri.
     There have been recorded earthquakes along the New Madrid Fault Line since 1699, when a French missionary reported the ground shaking.  The strongest earthquakes (in the 7.0 - 8.0 magnitude range) were felt in the early 1800s, when the fault created temporary waterfalls on the Mississippi River, created a wave that propagated upstream, and earthquakes were felt as far away as New York City and Boston, where ground motion caused church bells to ring.  A series of aftershocks were felt for several years, up to 1817.  Then in 1843 and 1985, the area experienced earthquakes of 6.0 and 6.6, respectively.
     The biggest earthquake in the modern era was a 5.4 in 1968, and the effects were felt in 23 states.  Only minor rumblings have been felt in the last 47 years .... until Wednesday night, just hours before the proud announcement of an Iran "semi-deal".  Why all the concern over a relatively minor 4.0 earthquake?  Because, for starters, the reports by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates damage and injuries in St. Louis from a 7.6 magnitude New Madrid earthquake to be $2.8 billion, 260 deaths and 1,060 serious injuries.  The 1812 earthquake resulted in about 3.5 million acres damaged or destroyed by landslides, fissures, sandblows, lateral spreads, subsidence, submergence and uplift. And remember that this area of our country is prime agricultural and cattle land, and a major earthquake would certainly affect our food production.
      Then there is the report by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that says earthquakes in this region shake and damage an area approximately 20 times larger than earthquakes in California and most other active seismic areas.  They also state that the New Madrid Seismic Zone appears to be about 30 years overdue for a magnitude 6.3 quake, and about 75% of the estimated recurrence time for a magnitude 7.6 earthquake has elapsed since the last quake of this size occurred in 1812.
     When you realize that our other national foreign policy decisions which adversely affected Israel corresponded with the 1991 "Perfect Storm"; Hurricane Andrew; the Northridge, CA earthquake; the 1998 Texas floods; the 1999 Super Tornado; and Hurricane Katrina; then you can imagine that a massive New Madrid earthquake will fit the bill as an appropriate judgment against our latest negotiations with Iran.
     The central United States experienced a 4.0 earthquake at the announcement that "a framework" had been negotiated.  Don't you think God is trying to give us a warning not to complete these negotiations with the devil?  I do not believe this is "mere coincidence" and I greatly fear the loss of life and property, and what a major earthquake in this area will do to our economy.  But more than that I fear the retribution that will be rightly ours should this nation enable Iran to carry out its threats against Israel.  Pray that our leaders will have a change of heart and bless Israel, rather than curse her!

Isaiah 14:11-12, concerning Israel:   "Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all."

September 25, 2014

What's Really Going On?

   
     If you are new to this blog, then you've probably surmised that I look through the lens of a Biblical worldview.  I try to see "the bigger picture" via God's plan for the world, instead of the immediate political and social implications.  With that caveat, I am hesitant to jump into the dialogue on the turn we've taken towards the "war" with ISIS, and the recent airstrikes on Syria -- primarily, because I am no expert on Middle Eastern affairs and am speaking purely from a spiritual outlook; and a veiled one, at that.  Then there is my opinion that more will "develop"in the coming days that just might change the entire narrative.
     To begin with, I find it difficult to figure out the true significance of all our foreign policy moves, and how that might relate to what God has in store for the world.  All the key players in this drama are part of the End Times prophecies in the Bible, so it's hard not to look for a broader perspective than media sound bites might reveal.  The back-and-forth on our relationships with these countries can leave your head spinning; especially when one week, the major news item is that we are "not at war" with ISIS, and the next week, we are.  But I believe that ISIS may only be a tool to bring about one of the biggest End-Times participants .... Iran (Persia in the Bible).
     Think about it ... Iran is set to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this latest war on terrorism, as embodied by ISIS, the radical jihadists who rose up out of the Syrian civil war.  From what I can glean from articles on FrontPageMag, and such Middle Eastern experts as Walid Shoebat and Majid Rafizadeh, Iran is clearly manipulating both the West and the Middle East, while playing out its role for the End of the Ages.
     Did you know that Iran was the major reason behind the emergence and creation of the terrorist group the Islamic State?  According to FrontPageMAg, "Iran’s military, financial, intelligence, advisory, and security support of the Assad government in Syria contributed to the instability of the country.  Both Syria and Iran used the excuse that they were putting down civil uprisings to legitimize their brutal force, which both radicalized and militarized Al-Qaeda affiliates and groups such as ISIS, initiating their development, organization, and recruitment of more members."
     But here is where the plot becomes more diabolical.  The rise of such groups as ISIS was a distinct advantage to both Iran and the Assad regime.  FrontPageMag reports, "The Islamic Republic [of Iran] and Syria were strategically successful at sending the West, and particularly the United States, a robust message that there is no alternative to Assad, and any military or foreign intervention would exacerbate the conflict."  That explains why we kept a "hands off" policy for so long.  But the spiritual component of this situation is that in the background, Satan is gaining more ground towards his ultimate goal of conflagration against Israel.
     Because look at how smart Iran is playing this game!  ISIS had time to grow its numbers, and has managed to panic the world with its successive beheadings and mass executions across Iraq and Syria.  Now with ISIS's bold pronouncements against the West, Iran is presenting itself as a willing ally in their defeat.  In reality, by offering their assistance in defeating ISIS (and our acceptance of their help), Iran no longer has to hide its involvement in Syrian and Iraqi affairs (or its part in the emergence of ISIS), as it continues to grow its power in those regions (when our military forces pulled out of Iraq, we left the door wide open for Iran).  The mullahs and the Iranian regime will cast themselves in this Devil's play as essential to victory, and as the major power in the Middle East; demanding concessions for their assistance, of course.  The price?  Look the other way as they continue their development of nuclear weapons.
      Is there much more to this whole scenario as seen from a worldly viewpoint?  Absolutely!  The machinations of world leaders will continue to influence what we see on the nightly news, and we will be told what they want us to hear.  But we're a little smarter, more aware, and not as naive as we were when we went to war in Iraq 11 years ago.  And God's people are awake, too.  Our Biblical viewpoint allows us to see the Bible's prophecies coming to fulfillment.  We know that no matter what the "king's of this world" may decide, it is YHVH who is ultimately in control and the battle will play out as He has planned it.  
     So, like I said, I am no foreign policy expert, nor prophecy scholar; and I definitely see "in a mirror, darkly,"  But my spirit is telling me that there is more to this story than any official White House bulletin or United Nations speech might convey.  While all eyes are fixed on ISIS, Iran is flexing its muscle, and Turkey is waiting in the wings to make its presence known.  But we must keep our eyes on the Holy City of Jerusalem.  That is where the final war of this Age will occur, and no one can doubt that we are certainly moving in that direction.  "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure." (Psalm 122:6)

Psalm 83:1-5     "O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant—"

September 8, 2014

State Department and Scripture: It Just Doesn't Work!

   
     Last week Secretary of State John Kerry announced the appointment of Texas lawyer Shaarik Zafar as the State Department's special envoy to the Muslims of the world.  Then he went on to give a rambling discourse on the U.S. strategy on "religious leader and faith community engagement."  He also claimed that "religion matters", and this motto had become "the mantra in the State Department on foreign policy."  (Unfortunately, it appears that only one religion matters, and Christianity didn't make the list).
     He then went on to make some disconnected claims that the fate of Muslim countries and the U.S. are linked together; that it is "laid out in Scripture" that our fates are joined together in a shared sense of stewardship of the earth... to protect God's green earth, and to confront climate change.  All this came together in a disjointed policy statement that we have a "responsibility from God" to protect vulnerable Muslim countries.
     Is he really serious?  Especially, in the wake of Muslim atrocities in the Middle East?  And what the heck does climate change and global warming have to do with Muslim outreach?  I'm sorry, but I am really confused as to the purpose of the State Department ... who exactly are they working for?  According to their official website, their mission seems to be multi-layered:  1)  The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Foreign Service is a corps of some 13,000 employees dedicated to representing America abroad and responding to the needs of American citizens living and traveling around the world.  2)  Since 1789, their mission has been to provide for the safekeeping of the Acts, Records, and Seal of the United States and other domestic duties, such as the U.S. census and the management of the U.S. Mint.  3)  Today, the primary responsibility of the U.S. Department of State and its employees is to fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives while building a freer, prosperous and secure world.
     Seems to me, that the focus has shifted more to foreign initiatives, rather than protecting our interests abroad, or fighting terrorism (since our government seems to think that the ISIS situation is "manageable").  In that light, just what is Mr. Zafar concentrating his efforts on?  According to the Washington Post, "America's Ambassador to the Muslims" has spent the last few years zeroing in on the civil rights violations, police surveillance and TSA screening of fellow Muslims.  Now he will be in a position to possibly influence America's Muslim-related policies.
     But that may not be enough for many Muslims around the world.  Many feel that the current administration is not doing enough in making Muslim outreach a high priority in government policy.  Apparently, celebrating Ramadan in the White House does not go far enough.  So, now Zafar will be focusing his energy on faith outreach.  Does the State Department really think this is the best policy for dealing with a faith that has become radicalized; with an extremist group that doesn't recognize any religion but their own perverted version of Islam?  Do they think that declaring a new faith-based position will somehow change the course of events and put the Caliphate back in its box?
     To be fair to Shaarik Zafar, he has a daunting task before him.  According to the Washington Post article, "His goals chart for the office includes developing a plan to combat Shia-Sunni sectarian violence and trying to discourage American foreign fighters from traveling to conflict areas."  I'm sorry, but that ship has already sailed!  No "ambassador" from America (whether Muslim or not) is ever going to be able to solve the Shia-Sunni conflict, and how does he plan on stopping American foreign fighters, when we can't even establish a policy to profile such people?
     Then there is this ridiculous mission statement:  Zafar says he will focus primarily on “pushing open doors” — on matters where cooperation is likely. Two of the State faith office’s top priorities are climate change and entrepreneurship. Another priority is promoting “the creative economy” in Muslim communities overseas, helping them powerfully tell stories through film or art that may help further U.S. foreign policy goals. 
     Zafar is actually going to Hollywood to try to jumpstart that last brilliant idea. And apparently he thinks he can find common ground through the area of sports, too.  Now there's a high priority issue for Muslims around the world!  Can he really be serious?  Don't they get it?  Those who hate us in the Middle East hate us because of who we are ... period.  They don't care about solving global warming, or building "creative businesses"; and they don't need our help telling their story ... they just want to kill us.
     Yet, somehow the State Department thinks that because our President's popularity is exorbitantly high in the U.S. Muslim population (72% approval rating according to Gallup), that they are on the right track.  Zafar admits that his position will not be popular with Muslim-dominated countries such as Pakistan, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt, where he must admit to their leadership that he has no influence on policies of war.  Yet somehow the State Department thinks they can reach out to these anti-American regimes through faith and film and football.  I just find it extremely ironic that the State Department, whose primary responsibility is to protect our interests abroad, is more concerned about appearing conciliatory, and promoting Muslim interests here at home.  Their thinly disguised attempt to use Scripture to bolster their strategy is offensive.

Matthew 22:29     "But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God."

July 19, 2013

Putin and the Church in Russia

     At first glance the two terms seem incompatible and at odds with each other.  But according to a report on Fox News, they have formed at least a cautious alliance.
     Unlike America, which goes to great lengths to keep religion and politics separate, President Vladimir Putin has given his blessing to Spas TV.  "Spas", which means "Savior" is a satellite television channel affiliated with the increasingly powerful Russian Orthodox Church.  The station recently filed with the government ministry to take their transmission to the national level.
     Launched in 2005, Spas TV claims to have an audience of about 10 million households in Russia. Funded with donations from Orthodox businessmen, it features talk shows and educational programs that have criticized evolution and railed against such Western ideas as liberal democracy, feminism and gay marriage.
     So why would a former KGB agent in the godless Soviet Union now embrace a political partnership with the Church?  When you look at the numbers, it makes perfect sense.  According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 101.1 million people identified as Orthodox Christians in Russia, making up 71 percent of the population.  Compare that to the American Religious Identification Survey, in which 73-76% of Americans claimed to be Christian.  But that seems to be where the comparison stops.
     Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian Orthodox Church has been completely revamped after being virtually nonexistent under decades of communist rule.  It has gone from an underground vestige of the era of czars to a galvanizing political force.   “The rebuilding of the Russian Orthodox Church has been massive,” Paul Valliere, a Butler University professor of religion told FoxNews.com. “It is like a completely different country than it used to be because the church, it is back. The church has a role of visibility in almost every sector of life.”  We, in the United States, seem to be doing everything we can to diminish the effectiveness of the Church.
     The history of the Russian Orthodox Church is fascinating.  Traditionally, it is said to have been founded by the Apostle Andrew, who is thought to have visited Scythia and Greek colonies along the northern coast of the Black Sea. According to one of the legends, St. Andrew reached the future location of Kiev and foretold the foundation of a great Christian city.
     The Church survived two centuries of Mongol rule in the 13th-15th centuries, and an internal fracture in the 17th century.  For the next two hundred years, it expanded and grew until it found itself in the middle of the Russian Revolution and a Communist takeover, which led to a marked decline in the power and influence of the Church.  Those were the dark days.
     Now it seems as if the Church has returned to its historic place in relation to the State.  Although the State takes precedence, the Church has prominent second billing and acts as a balance to the State, while remaining subordinate.  While one might be suspicious of Putin's faith life, the Church's doctrine of repentance plays heavily into their willingness to accept his belief as genuine.  It is also pointed out that he has long had a soft spot for the Church; even wearing a cross while he was a KGB officer (given to him by his mother), and he has been seen often in church since the end of the USSR.
     I think we can all agree that the thought of repentance is hopeful thinking, and wearing a cross and church attendance do not guarantee a saved soul.  But nevertheless, I find it interesting that while our country seems to be drifting away from its Christian roots, that Russia is once again embracing its heritage of Christian faith.  It goes without saying, that the Devil is in these details!  And anyone who has read Ezekiel, Chapters 38 and 39, knows the historic role that Russian plays in eschatology.  It will be interesting to see how Putin plays out his new role of "religious leader".  God's plan is never boring!

Matthew 7:15     "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
   







July 3, 2013

America: How The Rest of The World Sees Us

     As I scan the headlines, I can't help but notice that the perception of America as the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" is damaged among the peoples and nations of the world.  One of the reasons can be laid at the feet of the NSA.  Reports that European Union offices and computers were hacked has resulted in leaders of the EU intimating that trade relations could be effected.  Germany's Foreign Ministry has actually summoned the U.S. Ambassador to do a little explaining.  French President Francois Hollande also threatened to block negotiations on a transatlantic free trade treaty, and allies from Belgium to Italy and throughout Europe have used the strongest language possible to register their distaste for alleged American spying.
     But it's not just government heads that are suspicious and mistrustful of our motives and actions.  Fugitive CIA whistleblower Edward Snowden released information to the German magazine Der Spiegel, in which he said the US had monitored phone lines and bugged embassies of European countries.  Editorials are appearing in the magazine lamenting the German peoples' lack of faith and doubt in the American government.  Having lived through the Nazi and Communist subversion of their own government, they are now openly warning Americans to wake up from our complacency and see the threat to both our liberty and our security.  While acknowledging the need to collaborate on both sides of the Atlantic to pursue and prevent organized crime and terrorism, the article admonishes that "it must be done in a way that strengthens civil liberties and does not reduce them."
     And it's a pretty sad commentary when a German citizen writes an editorial that chastises and corrects the President for his incorrect use of a quote by one of our Founding Fathers.  Malte Spitz got it right when he wrote, "Perhaps instead of including a quote from James Madison in his speech, arguing that “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare,” Mr. Obama should have been reminded of the quote from another Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, when he said, “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”  The German people have made it very plain that they have no intention of relinquishing their liberty, and no intention of repeating their historical mistakes by blindly trusting leaders who promise security through a reduction of freedom.
     But it is not only Europe who has become disillusioned with how America is conducting its affairs.  Opposition groups to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi are accusing the US of "being partner to a conspiracy to keep President Morsi in power."  The mass rallies in Cairo's Tahrir Square are evidence that the populace is disillusioned with the lack of promised democracy.  As far as the $1.3 billion in military aid the U.S. government gave the new Egyptian leader, the rebels are now furious.  "America and the Brotherhood have united to bring down the Egyptian people," said Hassan Shahin, a member of the Tamarod, or "rebel," movement.  To prove their point, the protestors have stormed and ransacked the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters and given a time demand to Morsi to abdicate his presidency.
     And it's only a hop, skip and a jump to the powder keg in Syria.  I don't think I need to remind you that we have made some questionable alliances and some poor decisions in the midst of their civil war.
     Of course, our relations with Russia are surely to be strained as Putin appears to be offering asylum to Ed Snowden, in direct defiance of our government's demands.  Of course that hasn't stopped the two Super Powers from signing agreements that will allow trained Russian "experts" to provide security at mass events.  (This is according to an article by the Ministry of the Russian Federation of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters).  So can we now surmise that we are no longer capable of providing our own security or cleaning up after a natural disaster?  Try telling the folks in Moore, Oklahoma or Joplin, Missouri that!
     All in all, the headlines of the day show a disturbing trend in regards to the image, perception, and actions of America.  We used to be the nation that everyone looked to for inspiration; and our influence and impact were sought after.  Now it appears as if we are mistrusted, doubted and down-right duplicitous in our foreign relations.  I am inclined to believe that the slide from the original vision for America has been occurring at a gradual, yet steady pace over the last century.  My fear is that somewhere in the near future, we are going to wake up and discover that the gradual decline has become a full-blown plunge.
     Now, more than ever, we need to return to the values and purpose for which this nation was founded.  Regardless of what the peoples of other nations think of us, Americans still know what freedom, virtue and honesty look like.  It is up to each of us to embody those principles in ourselves, instill them in our families and export them to our communities.  Now is the time to show the world what we're made of!

Proverbs 10:9    "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."


   

January 24, 2013

China And The World's Oil (That Means Ours, Too!)

     I have heard it said that the oil boom in Texas is single-handedly keeping our economy going, and it is largely responsible for propping up Wall Street.  But it seems that the good ol' USA is not the only country benefitting from the massive Eagle Ford oil field in South Texas.  World Net Daily recently published an article that says China has been allowed to quietly buy major interests in the Eagle Ford and other oil and natural gas resources across the U.S.
     As the article suggests, I guess it's one way our government can keep the Chinese appeased in regard to the money we owe them.  If they have a vested interest in our economy, then they will most likely continue lending us the money we need to help offset our $1-trillion-plus annual federal budget deficits.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that China passed the U.S. in their consumption of oil.  It is no secret that China is looking to make deals with anyone they can, in order to feed their appetite for oil.  Their economy continues to grow, while ours flounders, and they need this valuable energy resource to continue their expansion.
Allowing China to buy into U.S. energy production is a reversal of the previous Administration's policy, which viewed such a practice as a threat to national security.  I can understand that.  But what I don't understand is this .... if we are seeking to become energy independent, and we have this incredible reserve of oil within our own borders, why would we invite a foreign country (and one that obviously doesn't have our best interest at heart) to partake of our riches?  Since we currently import 60% of our oil, wouldn't it make sense to keep this valuable resource for ourselves?  Is the end result going to be that we end up buying our own resources back from China???
     World Net Daily further reported that Beijing has been developing a proposal in which real estate on American soil owned by China would be set up as “development zones” to establish Chinese-owned businesses and bring in its citizens to the U.S. to work.  With unemployment in the U.S. hovering at the  "official" level of 8%, does anybody think it is a good idea to create autonomous foreign economies within our own country? 
     And Texas oil companies are not the only U.S. interests China has acquired.  The Wall Street Journal reported these acquisitions:
•  Colorado: CNOOC gained a one-third stake in 800,000 acres in northeast Colorado and southwest Wyoming in a $1.27 billion pact with Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
•  Louisiana: Sinopec ( a Chinese state-owned super-large petroleum and petrochemical enterprise group) has a one-third interest in 265,000 acres in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale after a broader $2.5 billion deal with Devon Energy.
•  Michigan: Sinopec gained a one-third interest in 350,000 acres in a larger $2.5 billion deal with Devon Energy.
•  Ohio: Sinopec acquired a one-third interest in Devon Energy’s 235,000 Utica Shale acres in a larger $2.5 billion deal.
•  Oklahoma: Sinopec has a one-third interest in 215,000 acres in a broader $2.5 billion deal with Devon Energy.
•  Texas: CNOOC acquired a one-third interest in Chesapeake Energy’s 600,000 acres in the Eagle Ford Shale in a $2.16-billion deal.
•  Wyoming: CNOOC has a one-third stake in northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming after a $1.27 billion pact with Chesapeake Energy. Sinopec gained a one-third interest in Devon Energy’s 320,000 acres as part of a larger $2.5 billion deal.
     So let me get this straight ... if China buys one-third interest in all these companies, and the U.S. economy flatlines and these companies go broke, guess who will be ready and willing to buy out their interests?  See how my conspiratorial mind works?
     But China has not limited themselves to the U.S.  In December, Forbes Magazine reported that the Canadian government approved China’s biggest overseas energy acquisition, a $15.1 billion takeover of Nexen Inc. by CNOOC Ltd., China's state-owned and largest offshore driller.  In case that doesn't impress you, Nexen is the second-largest oil producer in the U.K. North Sea.  But lest you think China has limited their acquisitions to the North American continent, let me point out that China has invested in 49 of the 54 countries that make up the African continent.  They haven't limited their business deals to strictly oil and natural gas, however; they have bought sizable interests in a Metal Mining company in Zambia, and a cement plant in Nigeria.  An estimated 2,180 Chinese companies, many of them privately owned, are doing over 7,800 projects in Africa currently.
     So if you were skeptical about China's long-term goals before, I'm betting you've had a change of mind after reading these statistics.  You won't see these moves being touted in your local newspaper, but make no mistake --- China is playing this chess game to win.  And our government doesn't appear to give a damn.

Exodus 15:9     "The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ "
     
     
   



January 21, 2013

Who Is The Enemy?

     I was extremely saddened, and then angry, this weekend at the news that the kidnapped workers at the Algerian gas plant were massacred.  According to our government's official statement, "The blame for this tragedy rests with the terrorists who carried it out."  Hmmm, are you sure about that?  Because over the last few weeks, you've laid the blame for domestic violence on the weapons that were involved.  Are you sure you don't want a global ban on the grenades, rocket launchers, suicide belts, and missiles that were among the al-Queda terrorists' arsenal?  Oh, yeah, and what about fire?  They burned the plant and workers were killed by that means, as well.
     And if the blame for that tragedy rests with the terrorists, then why doesn't the blame lie with Adam Lanza, James Holmes, and Jared Lee Loughner?  Why is it being transferred to the millions of law-abiding citizens who deplore this kind of violence, and want to be able to protect themselves and their families from it?
     It's hard to ignore that our foreign policy includes assisting the very groups and nations associated with these kinds of atrocities with jets and tanks, paid for by American taxpayers; and yet they don't want to help us protect our families and nation from the possibility of these kinds of attacks.  Because make no mistake about it; these groups will not limit their terrorism to the far-off Saharan desert.  It is their major goal to bring it to our shores and our communities.
     So our government wants to gain "a fuller understanding of what took place so that we can work together to prevent tragedies like this in the future."  What's to understand?  They made it pretty darn clear!  According to a NY Times article, one Algerian who managed to escape told France 24 television that the kidnappers said, “We’ve come in the name of Islam, to teach the Americans what Islam is.” The haggard-looking man, interviewed at the airport in Algiers, said the kidnappers then immediately executed five hostages.  Now what's so hard to understand about that message?
     It doesn't take much research to know that the never-changing goals of Islamist terrorists include killing large numbers of Westerners and disrupting states they have put on their enemies list.  Want to guess who is at the top of that list?  And lest anyone think we can negotiate with these terrorists by meeting demands such as they made with the Algerian authorities of releasing al-Queda prisoners from overcrowded jail cells, this latest attack was carried out by a special commando unit, known as "Those Who Sign in Blood."  They are all martyr wannabes.  There can be no discussion, debate or dialogue.  They will not stop until they have reached their goal of annihilation of the West, and that my friends, is us.
     So excuse me if I'm a little concerned that our government has no problem loaning money to Muslim Brotherhood-supported Egypt or selling arms to questionable "freedom fighters"in Syria through the back door of Libya.  Why should I see a contradiction between those policies and the current gun control efforts of late?   I found it quite interesting, and telling, that Debka.com views our government's response to the Mali and Algerian situations as further evidence of a foreign policy of "isolationism."  To me, it appears to be more of a strategy of acquiescence; accepting the actions without protest.  But, as an American, I cannot deny the chilling statement on this Israeli website:  Whereas the US homeland may not be in immediate peril from the Mali and Algerian episodes, it is important to remember the far-reaching interconnectivity of al Qaeda’s operations. Seven years ago, the suicidal jihads who on July 7, blew up London trains and a bus, used explosives provided by the same Al Qaeda cells of Sahel Desert which are now threatening Mali and which struck the Algerian gas field.  No US official can guarantee that such explosives from the same source won’t be used in 2013 against American targets in Europe or be smuggled into the American homeland by al Qaeda cells in Europe.
     So tell me again ..... why would any intelligent American (or government official, for that matter) think it is a good idea to give up our weapons for self-defense?  Once again, the Devil seems to be selling his agenda to those who are willing to be deceived.  But I have a message for them .... "Those Who Sign in Blood"  are no match for "We, Who Are Covered in The Blood of Jesus."  No explanation needed!

Psalm 60:11-12     "Give us help against the enemy because human assistance is worthless. With God we will display great strength.  He will trample our enemies."

December 10, 2012

Understanding the Syrian Conflict

     For some reason, the thought "you need to understand what is happening in Syria" keeps coming to the forefront of my brain.  I keep pushing it back because I'm not quite sure where to go to get creditable information, or if I'm even capable of comprehending all the players and the true situation on the ground.  But because of my Biblical worldview, I know that this issue is important and Damascus plays a role.  So I have, frankly, spent more time than I wished on this post.  But I feel we need to be aware of how this war-torn country could play a role in our future.
     First of all, the news coverage by the MSM and even Fox News has been lame.... minimal information with no clear explanation of who is who and what the relationships are.  All I've been able to discern is pretty much "Assad vs. rebel forces."  So what is the real situation, and who are the rebel forces, and how could it possibly involve us?
     I am no political or foreign policy genius, but this is what I have been able to determine.  The Syrian uprising (which has evolved into an actual civil war at this date) occurred in March of 2011 as a part of the Middle East protest movement known as the Arab Spring.  Protesters demanded the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, as well as the end to nearly five decades of secular Ba'ath Party rule.  As far as I can understand, the Ba'ath Party was a form of strict, authoritarian rule, similar to the Communist Party, and did not recognize society per se, but saw itself as the society.  In other words, the party and the people are inseparable, which resulted in extreme political control of the masses. Any call for democratic reform was quickly squelched.  Totalitarian rule was the name of the game. 
      As the Arab Spring spread, and the protests and the uprising in Syria began to swell, the Syrian Army was deployed, and soldiers were ordered to open fire on civilians in demonstrations accused of harbouring armed activists. After months of military sieges, the protests evolved into an armed rebellion. Opposition forces, mainly composed of defected soldiers and civilian volunteers, became increasingly armed and organized as they unified into larger groups, with some groups receiving military aid from several foreign countries. 
     For months now, we've been hearing about "the rebel forces" fighting the military loyal to Assad, and the news slant seems to be trying to convince us that "the rebels" are the good guys fighting the Assad's evil regime.  While that may be true to an extent, I think there is much more to the story.  Just what is the make-up of these "rebel forces"?  By July of 2011, defected Syrian Armed Forces personnel and civilian volunteers joined together to form the main opposition group to Assad's government, and called themselves the Free Syrian Army (FSA).  This group gained support from Turkey, who allowed this rebel army to operate and locate their headquarters within Turkey's borders.  There was also a coalition of anti-government groups, called the Syrian National Council. This group, based in Turkey, attempted to organize the opposition rebel army.  However, the opposition, including the FSA, remained a fractious collection of political groups, longtime exiles, grass-roots organizers and armed militants, divided along ideological, ethnic or sectarian lines.  Sounds like a recipe for disorganization, infighting, and an opportunity to be exploited by other groups.
     Clashes between the Syrian Government and the FSA continued, each side gaining ground and then losing it, as the fighting resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.  UN Secretary General Kofi Annan attempted a ceasefire, but by the end of May, 2012, the civil war had resumed. A second cease-fire in October also failed.
     So just who are these "armed militants" that have become a part of the FSA, and could this regional civil war affect us?  As this conflict spirals into total anarchy, jihadists have risen to become part of the armed rebellion against Assad's government.  Foremost among them is Al-Nusra Front (who call all Syrians to engage in a holy war against the government), and Ahrar al-Sham, a loose collection of various Islamist and Salafist groups who have formed a battalion to take part in the fighting.  Both groups have come under criticism for their fundamentalist ideology.
     Interviews with top FSA commanders in late August 2012 expressed their concerns that the Islamists would become "a threat to stability post regime change".  One FSA commander was quoted in The Guardian as saying, "They are stealing the revolution from us and they are working for the day that comes after".  While FSA leaders have "generally condemned the emergence of jihadi groups", many of its rank-and-file members "argue they need all the help they can get".
     From The Guardian report it appears that there is a lot of struggle for control within the rebel fighting force.  Lebanese soldiers have joined the fight, with the goal to wage "jihad" against the Syrian government; with various Islamist "Brigades" fighting for their own agendas.  In July of 2012, the FSA rescued two photojournalists who had been captured by one of these "Brigades", and one of them commented, "Where the FSA seems to be fighting for democracy, these foreign fighters don't want anything more than imposing sharia on Syria."
     But it's not just individual foreign fighters who have joined this conflict, but foreign nations are picking sides, too.  Some analysts have interpreted the Syrian conflict as part of a regional proxy war between Sunni states, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who support the Sunni-led "rebel" opposition; and Iran and Hezbollah, who support the Alawite-led (Alawite is a branch of Shia Islam) Syrian government.  And we mustn't forget our own shadowy involvement and insinuations that have surfaced after the Benghazi tragedy.
     With all this confusing infighting and foreign influence, it is no wonder that the average American can't follow what is going on in Syria; not to mention our less-than-precise news coverage.  But an article in DebkaFile, an Israeli online news source, caught my eye yesterday.  The headline read, "What comes first – a Syrian chemical attack or a US-led military showdown?"  What?!?!  Do they know something that we, the American people, don't know?  Apparently!
     According to the article, two days ago, on Saturday, December 8, British Foreign Secretary William Hague reported evidence from intelligence sources that Syria is preparing to use chemical weapons. British intelligence sources added that Syria's chemical weapons are concentrated at five air bases and are being closely watched.  The article goes on .... so who are these "watchers" and just what are their plans, if this proves to be true?
     Well, according to Debka-Net Weekly's last issue, military sources disclosed that US, Israeli, Jordanian and Turkish special forces are spread out on the ground in Syria, armed with special gear for combating chemical arms. They are close enough to count the convoys carrying canisters, shells or bombs loaded with poison gas and their reports are supplemented by orbiting US military surveillance satellites and drones able to pinpoint the position of the chemical munitions at any given moment.
     Have you heard a peep out of Washington on this little piece of news?  All the Middle East appears to be a powder keg, and the fuse has been lit.  Where do we focus our attention?  Israel?  Iran? Syria?  And what is the United States' role in all this?  And that's not even considering what nations like Russia and Turkey are doing behind the scenes!
     While the American public might be kept in the dark, the Israeli news sources are bold with their speculations.  Here is their analysis:  "We seem to be witnessing a high-stakes poker game between Washington and Damascus over a deck of chemical cards, each waiting to see who blinks first.  If the Americans attack, Assad will feel he is justified in releasing his poisonous gas over Turkey, Jordan and Israel.  But if Assad loses his nerve and lets loose with chemical weapons inside or outside Syria, the Americans will come crashing down on him with the full might of the US air, sea and marine forces standing by off the Syrian coast, along with Turkish, Israeli and Jordanian strikes against targets in Syria."
     Boy, I didn't see that coming!  What's more, I don't really want to even contemplate that scenario.  It's all too much for this average American citizen; wiser heads than mine will have to figure out the next move.  And I know that there is much more to this news story than I am able to understand; perhaps some of you can enlighten us even more.  All I know is that Damascus is prominently mentioned in the Bible, and I'm smart enough to realize that its' significance isn't only reserved for some ancient time in an Old Testament prophesy.  The Word is alive and relevant to all generations and we need to keep our eye on Syria.

Isaiah 17:1-2    " A prophecy against Damascus:

“See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.  The cities of Aroer [in modern-day Jordan] will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid. "

   

November 30, 2012

Keep your Eye on Egypt

     While we, here in the United States, have been occupied with serious issues such as the Fiscal Cliff and the seeming breakdown of our national security infrastructure, the people of Egypt have once again taken to the streets.  It has been nearly a year since millions of protesters from a variety of socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
     The protestor's grievances included police brutality, lack of free elections and freedom of speech,  and corruption.  In a little over two weeks, which saw 846 protestors killed and over 6,000 injured, Mubarak resigned.  Months of turmoil and violence ensued, with protestors swarming Tahrir Square in opposition to the military junta, which had taken over after Mubarak's resignation.  They demanded immediate governmental reforms and a transfer, via free elections, to a civilian government.


     On June 24th, 2012 they got what they asked for.  After a heated and controversial election, Islamist Mohammed Morsi, backed by the Muslim Brotherhood, was declared the 5th President of Egypt.  Now, it seems, the Egyptian people are once again unhappy with their ruler, and with good cause.
     Yesterday, over 200,000 people filled Tahrir Square to proclaim their opposition to the latest decrees by their President.  Last week, Morsi granted himself sweeping new powers that, in effect, give him dictatorship-like authority.  His declaration made all his decisions immune to judicial review and banned the courts from dissolving the upper house of parliament and an assembly writing the new constitution, both of which are dominated by Islamists.
     This constitutional drafting process has long been embroiled in debate over issues including the role of Islamic law, presidential powers and the rights of minorities and women. Almost all secular members of the 100-member constituent assembly have withdrawn, walking out of the committee.  The elimination of judicial review has resulted in Judges going on strike and lawyers joining the protestors.  In short, the country is in chaos, as it faces both a struggle to revive its economy and to define just what kind of government will rule.  Will Egypt become a Democracy or another Islamic State, is yet to be determined.  If the Muslim Brotherhood has its way, any balance or separation of powers will be a non sequitur.
     As for the people, they have made it clear that they are not willing to exchange one regime for another.  They fear that the current draft of the constitution, or one that Morsi would enforce, would curtail freedoms such as speech, and women's and children's rights.  The protestors are calling for the resignation of Morsi.  However, there's an elephant in the room, and he's not likely to go quietly.  The Brotherhood's stated goal is to instill the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for ...ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state".  They have a foothold in the Presidency of Egypt, and they are not likely to relinquish it.
     All of this takes on a whole new light when you consider that Mr. Morsi was pivotal in negotiating a cease fire between Israel and Hamas last week.  His star seems to be on the rise in the Middle East, regardless of the fact that his people have turned on him.  How does all this effect us?  Because, I can assure you it does.
     Did you know that Mr. Morsi made his first official trip outside the Middle East by visiting China? That would seem to signal that China plays a very important role in Morsi's foreign policy agenda, wouldn't it?  Especially since the U.S. gives Egypt nearly $2 Billion each year in foreign aid.  Couple this news with the fact that China enjoys a much more popular standing among the Egyptian people than the U.S., and the increased economic interconnectedness, and I think we have a problem.
     You see, Egyptian/Chinese trade jumped 46% from 2008 to 2011, surpassing Egyptian trade with the U.S.  If that's not enough to convince you that we need to keep our eye on Egypt, consider this:  Egypt is following the course of other Muslim states -- including Pakistan, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey -- which have returned China's embrace of their economies.  That does not bode well for our foreign trade or our national security.
     Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the U.S. and Washington are experiencing declining influence around the globe and China is only too happy to step in.  Because Washington is not regarded very highly among the average Egyptian on the street (or the Arab Street, in general) our enemies are chomping at the bit to cement these foreign alliances and cultivate ties with these emerging powers.   Now is not the time to play it safe.

Psalm 31:11     "Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me."

   

October 27, 2012

I Can Be Silent No Longer!

     For a few weeks now, I have had my suspicions about the truth behind the Benghazi, Libya debacle, but was reluctant to spread rumors or theories.  But as of yesterday, the lid has been blown off this scandalous betrayal of true American heroes.  The father of slain Navy Seal, Tyrone Woods, has come forward to reveal facts that the White House (and I believe, the media) has concealed.
     This is not a knee-jerk reaction from a grieving father.  Charles Woods took his time before deciding  that his son's death could not go unanswered.  Our special operations warriors are intensely honorable men, and I'm sure Charles Woods wanted to proceed in a manner that would show respect for his son.
     By now, you must be aware of the facts that are coming to light:  1) Ambassador Stevens felt that he was on an Al Queda "hit list", and let it be known that security was not adequate;  2)  There is a still-evolving storyline that indicates the U.S. is involved with supplying arms to Al Queda affiliates in Syria to topple Assad;  3)  As our Al Queda go-betweens in Libya began their attack on the safe house, there were three requests for military back-up.  Former Navy Seals Woods and Dougherty, arrived as part of separate groups to try and rescue Ambassador Stevens and Sean Smith, even though they were told to "stand down";  4)  Those requests were never answered, as the White House watched the attack in real time from a drone that flew overhead.  Regardless of the chain of command .... from the CIA annex to Langley to the Department of Defense .... it all ends up in the Situation Room at the White House.  No excuses!
     This is nothing less than a bungled nightmare; a demonstration of incompetence, and a supreme lack of leadership.  And I am indescribably angry! Where was the Commander in Chief when the men, who take their oath of service so seriously, needed him?  I know my opinion won't have any effect on this situation, but I am keenly aware of the sacrifice our military makes to keep this country safe and the best in the world.  I believe in them and honor their service, and I am just so outraged that those who were in command failed them.  AND THEN THEY LIED TO US! 
     My knowledge and experience is inadequate to understand all the facts and details of how such an operation would go down.  But it is becoming quite clear that it was a fiasco; totally mismanaged and it cost the lives of four Americans.  But rather than me continuing with my indignation, I would like to share a concise and appropriate essay by someone who has the experience to know how this situation should have been handled.  Matthew Bracken is a former Navy Seal, who has written a series of popular books about the decline of America.  He has written a biting post on Western Rifle Shooters Association that lays the blame squarely at the feet of the White House.  No apologies, just the facts!
      You need to realize this: our military did all they could.  They swung into action; into "crisis contingency plan mode" and were ready to respond with Delta Force, Marines, planes and ships to perform the necessary rescue mission.  But it would be classified as a "cross-border hostile mission", and only one man can give a "Go!" to that order.  And an answer never came.  As Bracken expresses so sharply in his article, "But no order came.  And then none would come..... While his ambassador was off-radar, missing, possibly being dragged down a Benghazi street or even raped... POTUS went to bed.  That is the greatest scandal of Benghazi. The POTUS slept through it, while all around the world, military forces were poised for the Raid on Entebbe or any other damn thing the POTUS ordered them to do. (And they were raring to go, believe me.).... God help us.  
     So don't take my word for it.  This man knows what he is talking about.  Read his article!
     I guess what makes me so angry, and incredibly sad, is that Tyrone Woods and Glen Dougherty displayed remarkable honor, decency and character by ignoring orders to "stand down" and went to the rescue of Ambassador Stevens; upholding their oath to serve and protect.  And those who are in charge of leading these principled men have shown nothing but cowardice; unable to be honest with the American people and lying to cover up their immoral behavior.
     My words seem so inadequate to describe my feelings.  Perhaps we should concentrate on the words of Charles Woods:  “I want to honor my son, Ty Woods, who responded to the cries for help and voluntarily sacrificed his life to protect the lives of other Americans. In the last few days it has become public knowledge that within minutes of the first bullet being fired the White House knew these heroes would be slaughtered if immediate air support was denied. Apparently, C-130s were ready to respond immediately. In less than an hour, the perimeters could have been secured and American lives could have been saved. After seven hours fighting numerically superior forces, my son’s life was sacrificed because of the White House’s decision. This has nothing to do with politics, this has to do with integrity and honor. My son was a true American hero. We need more heroes today. My son showed moral courage. This is an opportunity for the person or persons who made the decision to sacrifice my son’s life to stand up.” 
     It's time to stop the lying.  It's time to do right by those who sacrificed their lives for America.  I pray that honor can be returned to our land and to our leadership.   As Matthew Bracken so eloquently expressed ..... God help us!

Final Thought:  If you are a faithful reader of this blog, then you know my opinion on the judgments that have come against America due to the decisions made by our government.  Could the coming "Perfect Storm" that is ready to slam into the East Coast be God's reaction to the indefensible position our leaders took in Benghazi?  After all, the storm is right on track to strike Washington D.C.  Something to think about!

Psalm 3:35  "The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame."

   

October 22, 2012

You Can't Stop The Truth!

     Tonight's final Presidential debate before the November 6th Election should be quite interesting, if not explosive.  Tonight's subject is foreign policy, and I am hoping that the American people will get answers instead of hype; something more than the dishonesty and deceit we've been fed for the last month or so.  I should also say that I don't expect anything but more of the same.  But I can hope, can't I?


     We are all expecting the Libyan situation to be front and center at tonight's debate; and rightfully so.  As each day goes by, new information surfaces that is quite different than the "official" spin coming from the White House.  By now, it is almost universally accepted that the two-bit video did not result in the loss of four American lives.  It can no longer be avoided .... just say it:  It was a terrorist attack!
     But that's not enough, because there's something much more dark and sinister going on here.  Too many fearless reporters are not giving up on this story, and they are digging up some disturbing facts and connecting some unexpected dots.  First of all, when Joe Biden, during his own debate last week, threw both the State Department and the Intelligence community under the bus, you didn't really expect either to take the fall, did you?  Oh wait; Hillary tried to, but nobody's buying it.
     So it was no real surprise when the Associated Press reported that within 24 hours of the deadly attack, the CIA station chief in Libya reported to Washington that there were eyewitness reports that the attack was carried out by militants.  So when Joe says, "We didn't know," my question is, "Why not?"  Did somebody perhaps miss an intelligence briefing?
     And then there are the reports beginning to surface across the internet, from news sources such as TheBlaze.com and WorldNetDaily.com, among others.  WND has made the distinction between what the Reuters news agency mistakenly called "the consulate" and a "diplomatic mission", which is where Ambassador Stevens was supposedly killed.   Reuters repeatedly referred to the attacked U.S. compound in Benghazi as a “consulate.”  However, as WND reported earlier this week, the building was not a consulate and at no point functioned as one. Instead, the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi served as a meeting place to coordinate aid for the rebel-led insurgencies in the Middle East, according to Middle Eastern security officials.  Among the tasks performed inside the building was collaborating with Arab countries on the recruitment of fighters – including jihadists – to target Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.
     There are further reports that Ambassador Stevens, on behalf of our country, had connections to Turkey and the supply of arms to jihadist rebels in Syria.  How did that all work?  WND reports that Stevens served as a key contact with the Saudis to coordinate the recruitment by Saudi Arabia of Islamic fighters from North Africa and Libya. The jihadists were sent to Syria via Turkey to attack Assad’s forces, according to Egyptian security officials.  Are you keeping all this straight?  Because I can honestly say it is far too complicated and confusing for me.
     How did this all come about?  According to one news source, our involvement in the 2011 Libyan revolt against Muammar Qaddafi was somewhat "reckless", in that our policy included supplying American forces and dollars into the conflict on the side of the rebels, who were known at the time to include Al Qaeda elements.
     In March of 2011, Christopher Stevens was named as the official U.S. liaison to the Libyan opposition.  Stevens' assignment was to coordinate U.S. assistance to the rebels, whose top military commander, Abdelhakim Belhadj, was the leader of the Al Qaeda affiliate, the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG).  Does anyone, besides me, think it's not a good idea to get into bed with any organization that has ties to al-Queda?
     I know that our government cannot reveal to the public all the intricate details of our foreign policy, or the shady deals and arrangements they have to make to assure our national security.  But when we find out that our very government, who asks our military to go into battle for us, is arming groups that have made it clear they wish to destroy our country ..... then we have the moral duty to question this policy.  It seems obvious to me that our foreign policy is controversial, at the least; and suspicious, or even illegal at its core.  What is certain is that we are not being told the truth.
     I don't even want to speculate at what that truth might be.  I have my theories, but I will leave the revelations to professional investigative reporters.  They are on the scent, and I have no doubt that they will uncover all the shocking and ugly details that led to the deaths in Benghazi.  Will the exposure change our foreign policy, or bring back those whose lives were lost?  No, but maybe blowing the lid off the whole mess will wake up America and reset our moral compass.  We are in bed with the Devil and that can only lead to our destruction.

Tune in tomorrow:  See how the U.N. is inserting itself into our election!

Ephesians 6:12      "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."