10 Reasons to Study End-Times Prophecy
http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/commentary/what-holly-thinks-10-reasons-to-study-end-times-p/
It’s been said you can tell a lot about a person by the books he or she reads. If so, then what can we tell about U.S. Christians when we see the Christian Booksellers Association’s new list of the top 50 sellers?
One thing we can tell is they’re not interested in end-times prophecy.
We see devotionals, romantic fiction, books on Christian living and apologetics – even a couple Christian classics. But one glaring absence from the lists of 20 and more years ago is books on the end times. See the list here.
What changed?
For whatever reason, many Christians have become “panmillennialists.” This tongue-in-cheek term refers to the belief that we don’t need to know the details about the end times since everything will “pan out” in the end. Yet, contrary to this popular view, there are many reasons to know the details. Here are 10.
* They’re part of God’s Word. It’s been estimated that up to a third of the Bible is prophecy. Over 300 detailed prophecies were fulfilled at Christ’s first coming. Many more await fulfillment at His second coming. If we’re truly students of God’s Word, then we’ll be students of the prophecies. As the apostle Paul told his young protégée Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
* They prove that the Bible is God’s Word. Only God could know minute details of what would happen to individuals, cities and nations thousands of years in advance. When people see the end-times prophecies being fulfilled, they’ll have solid reason to put their faith in the God of the Bible. Jesus spoke of the apologetic value of prophecy when He said, “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe” (John 14:29).
* Jesus gave us signs of His second coming and commanded us to watch for their fulfillments. (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21)
* God promises a special blessing for those who study the end times: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3, see also 22:7).
* They prepare us for what’s coming. Contrary to the pretribulational rapture teaching, the prophecies reveal that Christians will have to go through a time of terrible persecution by the Antichrist (Matthew 24:21-22, Mark 13:19-20, Revelation 6:9-11, 7:14, 13:7-10 and 15, 14:12-13). Knowledge of this will help us prepare mentally and spiritually.
* They help protect us against spiritual deception. The Bible warns that false prophets will precede the coming of the Antichrist, and many professing Christians will follow them. End-times prophecies show us what to watch out for. (Matthew 24:24-26, Mark 13:21-22, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Revelation 13:11-18)
* They increase our worship of God. Christians who see prophecies fulfilled before their eyes will marvel at His sovereignty over the nations and the power of His unseen hand.
* They give us strategy for ministry. Like the men of Issachar who understood the times and drew up their battle plans accordingly, Christians who have insight into the end times will have knowledge for spiritual battle (1 Chronicles 12:32).
* They give comfort, encouragement and hope. When the time of tribulation comes, those who see the prophecies will know they only to have to endure for a limited time.
* They stir us to evangelism, good works and holy living. Reflecting on the end times frees us from a careless, temporal perspective (Titus 2:11-13). Those who are alive during their fulfillment will have an increased urgency to share the gospel while there is still time.
Nation Observes Nat'l Day of Prayer
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/367561.aspx
Several million Americans joined in the National Day of Prayer Thursday, in seeking God's wisdom and guidance for the future of the country.
The annual observance invites people of all denominations to pray for the nation, which was founded on biblical principles.
National Day of Prayer events were held on Capitol Hill and at thousands of locations across the country.
President Bush and several governors nationwide issued proclamations on Thursday, asking Americans to seek God's grace and guidance.
The President also hosted a prayer breakfast earlier at the White House, where he expressed his hope that this national observance would have an international impact.
"Over the last seven years, our country has faced many trials," he said. "And time and time again we have turned to prayer and found strength and resilience."
"We prayed for our brave and brilliant troops who died on the field of battle," he said to those gathered in the East Room of the White House. "We lift up their families in prayer. And as we pray for God's continued blessings on our country, I think it makes sense to hope that one day there may be a International Day of Prayer."
National Day of Prayer Task Force, the conservative Christian nonprofit group spear-heading these events, is based in Colorado and is chaired by Shirley Dobson.
Ravi Zacharias, a well-known Christian speaker and author, encouraged serious intercession for the country at the National Day of Prayer Task Force event held in Washington, D.C.
"Scripture tells us in James 5:16, 'The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.' And that's just one of the Bible's countless teachings regarding the believer's duty to intercede for every area of life, including our country and its leaders," Zacharias said in a radio message encouraging Christians to participate in the National Day of Prayer. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was also scheduled to speak at the event.
"The threats to our nation are intense at this time, with many dangers looming from without and within. If we are to continue seeing God's blessing in America, we must persevere in prayer," Zacharias added.
Most local events are organized through the Colorado task force.
"This is a critical time to be in prayer for America," Dobson said. "The biblical principles upon which our country was founded are coming under attack in every segment of society. Yet despite this troubling trend, we can take heart in the knowledge that God hears and responds to the earnest cries of His people."
This year's task force theme is "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield." It is taken from Psalms 28:7, which says, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped."
57th Annual National Prayer Day
The observance has been a vital part of the nation's heritage, going all the way back to the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new nation.
But it became more official in 1952, after President Truman signed a after a joint resolution by Congress, which declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May.
Every year, the president signs a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
"America trusts in the abiding power of prayer and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in times of joy and of trial," President Bush's proclamation states.
"As we observe this National Day of Prayer, we recognize our dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, and we put our country's future in His hands," it says.
Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.
Washington's Ethanol Craze May be Over
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/367525.aspx
WASHINGTON - The debate over the rising costs of food and gas is intensifying and right in the crosshairs is ethanol.
The impact of skyrocketing food prices seems to be unraveling Washington's love affair with corn-for-fuel.
Critics say ethanol is a main ingredient to the global food crisis.
Corn - The Solution or the Problem?
With food riots from Haiti to Peru and the rationing of staples like rice in the Philippines - and even in some place in the U.S. - a growing number of critics say corn is the culprit.
The reason? Record food prices, some argue, are the result of using corn as fuel instead of food.
"It just doesn't make sense to burn our lunch in our gas tanks," said Scott Farber of the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
Congress is now considering rolling back new ethanol requirements passed just four months ago.
Last December's energy bill mandated a five-fold increase in ethanol production by the year 2022.
But the debate over food as fuel has intensified as soaring prices have led to a global food crisis.
Peruvians Stage a Protest
This week, 3,000 women marched in Peru to protest against the rise in the costs of living.
"This government is killing us, it is starving us to death," said one Peruvian.
Here in the United States, Americans say they're being impacted too.
"Every time I go to the grocery store I am amazed at just how much money I am spending on basic foods," said one American consumer.
Some experts recommend halting the use of corn as fuel, saying Congress unintentionally raised food prices by making ethanol a high-demand commodity.
Biofuel Advocates: Big Oil is the Culprit
But supporters of biofuel industry say big oil is to blame because of the costs for farmers to fill their tractors and ship their goods.
"We're talking about $120 a barrel oil! And people are worried about a small increase in the price of grain?" Bob Dinneen, CEO of Renewable Fuels Association said.
Texas Governor Rick Perry is asking for a national waiver of the ethanol mandate, arguing the more corn used for fuel, the less it's available as a source of food.
"Which means there's less of that supply for our livestock, for our dairy farmers, and for our kitchen tables. Any federal mandate that benefits one industry to the detriment of millions of consumers, that's a problem. That's bad policy," said Perry's press secretary Allison Castle.
Lawmakers are still debating whether to repeal those ethanol requirements, while others say biofuels that use nonfood materials like grass - could reduce dependence on foreign oil with fewer food and environmental trade-offs.
Scientists Say Stop Biofuels to Fight World Hunger
http://www.newsmax.com/science/Scientists_Say_Stop_Biofu/2008/05/01/92570.html
WASHINGTON -- Some top international food scientists Tuesday recommended halting the use of food-based biofuels, such as ethanol, saying it would cut corn prices by 20 percent during a world food crisis.
But even as the scientists were calling for a moratorium, President Bush urged the opposite. He declared the United States should increase ethanol use because of national energy security and high gas prices.
The conflicting messages Tuesday highlighted the ongoing debate over food and fuel needs.
The three senior scientists with an international research consortium pushing a biofuel moratorium said nations need to rethink programs that divert food such as corn and soybeans into fuel, given the burgeoning worldwide food crisis. The group, CGIAR, is a global network that uses science to fight hunger. It is funded by dozens of countries and private foundations.
If leading nations stopped biofuel use this year, it would lead to a price decline in corn by about 20 percent and wheat by about 10 percent from 2009-10, said Joachim von Braun. He heads the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, the policy arm of CGIAR. The United States is the biggest biofuel producer.
He and the other scientists said work should be stepped up on the use of non-grain crops, such as switchgrass, for biofuel.
Another scientist, not associated with the group, agreed with their call for a halt on the use of grain for fuel.
"We need to feed the stomach before we need to feed our cars," said Rattan Lal, an Ohio State University soil sciences professor who in the past has been a critic of some of CGIAR's priorities. "We have 1 billion people who are food insecure. We can't afford the luxury of not taking care of them and taking care of gasoline."
In an interview after the CGIAR teleconference, von Braun said the United States and other countries have to make a hard choice between fighting high fuel prices and fighting world hunger.
"If you place a high value of food security for poor people, then the conclusion is clear that we step on the brake awhile," said von Braun. "If you place a high value on national energy security, other considerations come into play."
Energy security is what Bush emphasized in his press conference. When asked about the conflict with world hunger and the rising cost of food at home, he said the high price of gasoline would "spur more investment in ethanol as an alternative to gasoline.
"And the truth of the matter is, it's in our national interest that our farmers grow energy, as opposed to us purchasing energy from parts of the world that are unstable or may not like us," Bush said.
Still, Bush said the international food crisis "is of concern to us" and said the U.S. government earlier this month added another $200 million in food aid.
A World Bank study has estimated that corn prices "rose by over 60 percent from 2005-07, largely because of the U.S. ethanol program" combined with market forces.
Other nations, such as South Africa, have stopped or slowed the push to ethanol. But because the United States is the biggest producer, if it does nothing, other nations' efforts will not amount to much, von Braun said.
Von Braun said many issues are causing the food crisis, especially market forces and speculation, but that biofuel use also ranks high among the causes.
Scientists say the diversion of corn and soybeans for fuel helps force prices higher, and removes farm land from food production. Ethanol supporters say the corn used for fuels is the type only fed to livestock. However, other experts say it leads to higher livestock feed prices, thus higher food prices.
Because of this issue, legislators in Missouri are considering lifting a requirement that fuel in that state contain 10 percent ethanol.
Just how big biofuel's effect is on food prices depends on who is talking. President Bush said it's responsible for about 15 percent of the rise in costs. U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesman Keith Williams put it closer to 20 percent.
A soon to be released International Food Policy Research Institute analysis blames 30 percent of the overall food price rise from 2000-2007 on biofuels. An industry-funded study put the food cost rise from biofuels at 4 percent.
Matt Hartwig, a spokesman for the Renewable Fuels Association, said, "World agriculture can both feed and fuel the globe."
Junk Science: The Great Global Warming Race
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353844,00.html
Can global warming’s vested interests close the deal on greenhouse gas regulation before the public wises up to their scam?
A new study indicates alarmist concern and a need to explain away the lack of actual global warming. Researchers belonging to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, reported in Nature (May 1) that after adjusting their climate model to reflect actual sea surface temperatures of the last 50 years, "global surface temperature may not increase over the next decade, as natural climate variations … temporarily offset the projected anthropogenic warming."
You got that? IPCC researchers project no global warming over the next decade because of Mother Nature. Although the result seems stunning in that it came from IPCC scientists who have always been in the tank for manmade global warming, it’s not really surprising since the notion of manmade climate change has never lived up to its billing.
When NASA’s James Hansen sounded the alarm in Congress 20 years ago, he predicted that rising concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide, or CO2, would drive global temperatures higher by 0.34 degrees Celsius during the 1990s. But surface temperatures increased during that decade by only 0.11 degrees Celsius and lower atmosphere temperatures actually decreased.
Global temperatures remain well below an El Nino-driven 1998 spike despite ever-increasing atmospheric CO2. Global warming hysterics purport that manmade emissions of CO2 are the primary driver of global climate and that controlling emissions will favorably affect climate. While this is obviously not so since it virtually supposes that without human activity climate change would not occur, it nevertheless remains their viewpoint.
The Nature study, however, reasserts Mother Nature in her rightful place as our climate dominatrix. Although there is no evidence that manmade CO2 emissions play any detectable role in climate change, the very idea that Mother Nature may cool the planet despite humanity’s furious output of greenhouse gases should be even worse for the climate alarmists’ way of thinking.
It would mean that greenhouse gas emissions are actually beneficial, since without them, Mother Nature’s cooling could be quite damaging. The last time the Earth significantly cooled was during the 14th to 19th centuries — a period known as the Little Ice Age.
Among other things during that period, the Vikings were forced to withdraw from a freezing Greenland and cooler Northern Hemisphere temperatures were responsible for, and or contributed to, numerous famines and much-related social upheaval. So will the Nature study dump climate alarmism into the ash can of history? Doubtful.
Just this week, Al Gore drummed up $683 million for an investment fund that aims to profit from government-subsidized global warming-related technologies. A few weeks ago, Gore launched a $300 million global warming ad campaign. Do you think he’s at all interested in returning that money to investors and contributors? Or that he and the IPCC are interested in returning their Nobel Peace Prizes?
The federal government has been doling out more than $5 billion annually for research into climate change and alternative energy. A generation ago, there were only a handful of climatologists around the world; now there are legions of taxpayer-funded climatologists, scientists and public health professionals from many disciplines also hooked up to the climate gravy train.
What about the private-sector profiteers? Will the carbon footprint industry give up its CO2-offset ATM? Will companies that have been lobbying to receive trillions of dollars of free carbon credits from Congress — including Alcoa, Dow Chemical, and Dupont — stop pushing for all that free money?
How many outspoken politicians and celebrities will be willing to acknowledge that they have made fools of themselves? I suppose that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, Madonna and others could at least jet on back to their hypocritical Green lifestyles with a clear conscience of sorts.
Finally, there’s the environmental movement that is now just a November presidential election away from its dream of turning the United States into a centrally planned Green state where under the guise of saving the planet, the Green elites would get to pick and choose who gets to use how much energy and at what cost.
The bottom line of global warming — and that is why so many are behind it — is that its many vested interests are on the verge of a financial and political bonanza, something that scientific facts and climatic realities are likely only to spoil.
So when global temperature doesn’t behave as predicted, excuses and explanations must be found to prevent the almost-mature golden goose from being roasted for dinner. The spin on the Nature study provided by its authors to The New York Times is that, "We’re learning that [natural] climate variability is important and can mask the effects of human-induced global change. In the end this gives more confidence in the long-term projections."
The attempted logic here is that even though the alarmists have been wrong in the past — been there, done that — their failure somehow sets them up for more certain future success. We look past this logical fallacy at our own peril. I can’t wait for their Orwellian pronouncement that global cooling is the new global warming.
For the next 10 years, while alarmists ram through their misanthropic agenda, their time-buying story line will be "aren’t we lucky that Mother Nature has given us a temporary reprieve."
This will no doubt be followed 10 years later by "Whew, aren’t we glad we spent trillions to prevent catastrophic global warming?"
Meanwhile, for trained observers, it will simply be a matter of realizing that the global warming apocalypse never materialized because it was simply never going to happen anyway.
Remarks by the President at White House Summit on Inner-City Children and Faith-Based Schools
http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion07134.shtml
WASHINGTON -- The following text is of remarks by President Bush at White House Summit on Inner-City Children and Faith-Based Schools:
Ronald Reagan Building
10:23 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all. Aysia, thanks for the introduction -- you did a fabulous job. I'm told that you're a very hard worker who loves school, and it's clear you always wear a smile. She's a member of her school's Student Advisory Group, has performed in plays ranging from Shakespeare to "The Lion King," writes short stories. And as you just heard her explain, she loves all language arts. Well, that's good - - some people say I'm pretty artful with language, as well. (Laughter and applause.)
It is clear she has a promising future because of the education she is receiving at Saint Ann's. Unfortunately, thousands of other children like her are missing out on these opportunities because America's inner-city faith-based schools are closing at an alarming rate. And so that's why we've convened this summit: to discuss how we can extend lifelines of learning to all America's children. And I want to thank you for coming.
I take this summit seriously. Obviously you do, as well. My administration looks forward to working with you. This is a national objective, to make sure every child gets a good education. And I really appreciate you coming.
I want to thank my friend and Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, for joining with us today. I thank the Acting Secretary of HUD, Roy Bernardi.
Archbishop Wuerl, thank you very much, sir, for being here. We were just talking about what a glorious week it was to welcome His Holiness to America. It was an extraordinary moment for all who were directly involved, and I think extraordinary moment for all of America. I got to know Archbishop Wuerl in Pittsburg. I hope I conveyed to him my sense that providing a sound education for every child is one of the really important challenges for America. I happen to believe it is one of the greatest civil rights challenges. I am fully aware that in inner-city America some children are getting a good education, but a lot are consigned to inadequate schools.
And I believe helping these children should be a priority of a nation. It's certainly a priority to me. I married a teacher who has worked in inner-city schools; I helped raise one, as well. And helping inner-city children receive the education they deserve is so important as we head into the 21st century to make sure every child has got the skills necessary to succeed. That's what a hopeful country is all about.
Over the past seven years we have worked to strengthen the public school system. In other words, we haven't given up on public schools; quite the contrary, we've tried to help them succeed by passing the No Child Left Behind Act. In some circles it's controversial. I don't think it should be controversial, however, to demand high standards for every child. I don't think it should be controversial to insist upon accountability to see if those children are meeting those standards. And I don't think it should be viewed as controversial to say to a public school, if children are falling behind, here's supplementary services to help that individual child catch up. (Applause.)
As a result of accountability measures, I can now say that 8th graders set a record high for math scores. In other words, in order to be able to say that, you have to measure in the first place. When I was governor of Texas, I didn't like a system where we just simply guessed -- you know, "Do you think the child is learning?" "I don't know, maybe, maybe not." (Laughter.) That's unacceptable, particularly when a child's life is at stake.
We've learned that scores for minority and poor students are reaching all-time highs in a number of areas. And that's great. As a matter of fact, there's an achievement gap in America that is unacceptable. The good news is it's beginning to narrow. The problem is, is that while the No Child Left Behind Act is helping to turn around many struggling schools, there are still children trapped in schools that will not teach and will not change.
Today nearly one-half of children in America's major urban school districts do not graduate on time -- one- half of our children in major urban school districts do not get out of school on time. In Detroit, one student in four makes it out of the public school system with a diploma. When schools like these fail our inner-city children it is unfair, it's unacceptable and it is unsustainable for our country.
And so there are a variety of solutions. One is to work hard to improve the public school system, but also another solution is to recognize that there is a bright future for a lot of children found in faith-based schools. (Applause.)
The faith-based school tradition is not a 21st century phenomenon. A Quaker school opened in Philadelphia in 1689. A Jewish day school opened in New York more than 40 years before the American Revolution. And during the 19th century Catholic schools in our biggest cities welcomed children of poor, European immigrants. Can you imagine what it would -- what it's like to be an immigrant coming to America, can't hardly speak the language, and find great solace in two institutions -- one church and two schools? And generations of Americans have been lifted up. Generations of the newly arrived have been able to have hopeful futures because of our faith- based schools. It's been a -- it's a fact. It's a part of our history. Frankly, it's a glorious part of our history.
Today, our nation's poorest -- in our poorest communities, religious schools continue to provide important services. And as they carry out their historic mission of training children in faith, these schools increasingly serve children, you know, that don't share their religious tradition. That's important for people to know, that there's a lot of students who, for example, may not be Catholic, who go to the schools and get a great education. That's what we ought to be focused on: how to get people a great education.
In neighborhoods where some people say children simply can't learn, the faith-based schools are proving the nay-sayers wrong. These schools provide a good, solid academic foundation for children. They also help children understand the importance of discipline and character.
Yet for all the successes, America's inner-city faith- based schools are facing a crisis. And I use the word "crisis" for this reason: Between 2000 and 2006, nearly 1,200 faith-based schools closed in America's inner cities. It's affected nearly 400,000 students. They're places of learning where people are getting a good education and they're beginning to close, to the extent that 1,200 of them have closed. The impact of school closings extends far beyond the children that are having to leave these classrooms. The closings place an added burden on inner-city public schools that are struggling. And these school closings impoverish our country by really denying a future of children a critical source of learning not only about how to read and write, but about social justice.
We have an interest in the health of these institutions. One of the reasons I've come is to highlight this problem and say to our country: We have an interest in the health of these centers of excellence; it's in the country's interest to get beyond the debate of public/private, to recognize this is a critical national asset that provides a critical part of our nation's fabric in making sure we're a hopeful place.
And so I want to spend a little time talking about what can be done to help preserve these schools and provide, more importantly, a hopeful future. And that's what you're going to do after I leave, as well.
First, ensuring that faith-based schools can continue to serve inner-city children requires a commitment from the federal government. (Applause.) Federal funds support faith-based organizations that serve Americans in need. We got beyond the social service debate by saying that it's okay to use taxpayers' money to provide help for those who hurt. My whole theory of life was we ought to be asking about results, not necessarily process. When you focus on process you can find all sorts of reasons not to move forward. If you say focus on results, it then provides an outlet for other options than state-sponsored programs -- which is okay.
I mean, what I'm telling you is that we're using taxpayers' money to empower faith-based organizations to help meet critical needs throughout the country -- critical needs such as helping a child whose parents may be in prison understand there's hope; a critical need is helping a prisoner recently released realize there's a hopeful tomorrow; a critical need is to help somebody whip drugs and alcohol so they can live a hopeful life. And we do that in the social services.
We also provide federal funding support for institutions of higher learning. We're using taxpayers' money to enable somebody to go to a private university, a religious university. It's a long tradition of the United States of America.
So my attitude is if we're doing this, if this is a precedent, why don't we use the same philosophy to provide federal funds to help inner-city families find greater choices in educating their children. (Applause.)
There is a precedent for this, called the D.C. Choice Incentive Act. And we've got some advocates here for the D.C. Choice Incentive Act -- I know, I've worked with them -- and I'm surprised they're not yelling again. (Laughter.) The law created Washington's Opportunity Scholarship Program, which has helped more than 2,600 of the poorest children in our nation's capital find new hope at a faith-based or other non-public school. In other words, one way to address the closings of schools is to empower parents to be able to send their children to those schools before they close.
This is a successful program, I think it's safe to say. One way to judge whether it's successful is to look at the demand for the scholarship relative to the supplies of the scholarships. There's a lot of people who want their children to be able to take advantage of this program. As a matter of fact, demand clearly outstrips supply -- which says to me we ought to expand the program and not kill the program. (Applause.)
So we'll continue to work with Congress to not only reauthorize the program as it exists, but hopefully expand it -- so that parents will be able to -- (applause.)
I also proposed an idea that I really hope Congress takes seriously, and that is Pell Grants for Kids. This would be a $300 million initiative that would help as many as 75,000 low-income children that are now enrolled in troubled public schools to be able to go to a school of the parents' choice. See, one of the -- what's very important to make sure that an accountability system works is there's actual consequences and outlets.
And one of the outlets would be if you're in a public school that won't teach and won't change, and you're -- qualify, here's a scholarship for you to be able to have an additional opportunity. And to me this is a good way to help strengthen the schools that I was talking about that are losing. I mean, one way to make sure you don't lose schools is you have people that are able to afford the education -- sustain the cash flow of these valuable American assets.
Pell Grants -- I want to remind our citizens Pell Grants have helped low-income young adults pursue the dream of a college education. And it is time to apply the same spirit to liberate poor children trapped in public schools that aren't meeting expectations. (Applause.)
State and local governments can help. Today, more than 30 state constitutions include so-called Blaine Amendments, which prohibit public support of religious schools. These amendments have their roots in 19th century anti-Catholic bigotry -- and today the legacy of discrimination continues to harm low- income students of many faiths and many backgrounds. And so state lawmakers, if they're concerned about quality education for children, and if they're concerned about these schools closing, they ought to remove the Blaine Amendments, they ought to move this -- (applause.)
There are other things state and local governments can do. I would call people's attention to the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit -- (applause) -- P-E-I-T-C, PEITC, which allows businesses to meet state tax obligations by supporting pre-K-through-12 scholarships for low- income students. It's an innovative way to use the tax code to meet a national -- in this case, state -- objective. The scholarships then allow children to attend the school of their choice -- including religious schools. Since 2001, these tax credits have yielded more than $300 million to help Pennsylvania families. It's an innovative use of the tax code to meet social objectives. All 12 high schools in the Pittsburgh district have seen increased enrollment each year the program has been in place. That's positive.
And so I would call upon state leaders to listen to what comes out of this conference and to think of innovative ways to advance education for all children. Faith- based schools can continue to serve inner-city children requires a -- to see that that happens requires a commitment from the business community. It's in corporate America's interest that our children get a good education, starting in pre-K through 12th grade.
In Chicago a group of Jesuit priests found an innovative way to finance children's education called Cristo Rey, and they convinced Chicago's businesses to become involved. It's interesting that the Jesuits took the initiative. I would hope that corporate America would also take initiative. (Laughter.) But four days of the week the children go to class and then on the fifth they report for work at some of Chicago's most prestigious firms.
The businesses get energetic, reliable workers for high-turnover jobs. The students get a top-notch education plus real work experience. They feel a sense of pride when they leave some of the city's most dangerous neighborhoods for the city's tallest skyscrapers. It's a program that is working, and many of the students take that same sense of pride and accomplishment to higher education.
It's interesting to note that Cristo Rey is now involved in 19 cities. In other words, good ideas can take hold. The job of this conference is to provide a kind of go-by for people who share a sense of concern about our nation's future. And hopefully from this summit good ideas will be spawning other good ideas -- at the federal level and the state and local level, at the corporate level, and then of course at the citizen level.
Citizens -- you know, we're a -- we are a compassionate nation. What I see is America at its very best, which is these millions of acts of kindness and generosity that take place, and it doesn't require a government law. Sometimes it takes a little higher authority than government to inspire people to acts of kindness and mercy. But it happens all the time in America. It truly does. One-third of Americans who volunteer do so through religious organizations. Many of them happen to be faith-based schools, by the way. When you hear about an America that volunteers, many of the volunteers are at faith-based schools.
I was struck by an interesting story that came out of Memphis, Tennessee. Ten years ago private donors gave approximately $15 million to the church in Memphis to help revive Catholic schools in the city's poorest neighborhoods -- assets exist -- they're worried about them going away, so rather than just watch schools close, somebody -- individuals did something about it by putting up $15 million. With the seed money, the diocese launched the Jubilee Schools initiative, and reopened Catholic schools that had been shuttered, actually in some cases, for decades. Today, 10 Jubilee schools serve more than 1,400 students. Eighty-one percent of these children are not Catholic; nearly 96 percent live at or below poverty level.
With the help from Jubilee scholarship donors, tuition becomes whatever the family can afford. And the schools happen to be working, as well, which is really important. The program -- and the reason I can tell you is because test scores are up, they're not afraid to measure. You've got to be a little worried in our society when somebody says, I don't think I want to measure. That's like saying, I don't want to be held to account. The problem with that line of reasoning is that when you're dealing with our children, it's unacceptable. Of course you should be held to account. We ought to praise those who achieve excellence, and call upon those who don't to change so they can achieve excellence.
And so this school system is willing to measure, and it has been a great joy for the people of Memphis to watch excellence spread. And I want to thank those who have put forth the money, and call on all citizens to find ways they can contribute with their hearts to help educational entrepreneurs succeed -- is really what we're talking about, isn't it? Kind of innovation, they're willing to challenge the status quo if it's not working. I call it educational entrepreneurship -- so I'd consider yourself entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs.
Faith-based schools can continue to serve inner-city children and sometimes they can get a good boost from higher education. It seems like to me it's -- when I was governor of Texas I tried to get our higher education institutions to understand that rather than becoming a source of remediation, they ought to be a source of added value. And one way to do so is to help these schools early on, to make sure that children don't slip behind in the basics.
I was impressed by Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education, known as ACE, which prepares college graduates to work as teachers in under- served Catholic schools. It's an interesting way to participate in making sure the Catholic schools and the faith-based schools stay strong, and that is to educate teachers -- actually go in the classrooms to make sure that there's adequate instruction available. The people at Notre Dame commit to teach for two years as they earn their master's degree in education. And it turns out that when you get a taste for being a teacher, that you tend to stay. And so today there are about 650 ACE teachers and graduates who work at Catholic schools across the country.
And there's a -- I like the idea of these higher education institutions saying, okay, here's what I can contribute to making sure that elementary school and junior high school and high school education has high standards and excellence. And one way to do it is to support our faith-based schools all across the country.
And so that's what I've come to talk to you about. Here are some ways -- I mean, these are levels of society that ought to all be involved, and hopefully out of this meeting, that there's concrete action. We didn't ask you to come to Washington just to opine; we came and asked you to Washington to set good ideas out there for others to go by, because there's a lot of people in our country who share the same concern you share -- people understand what we're talking about here. This is pretty practical stuff. This isn't -- these are down-to-earth ideas on how to solve some of our nation's critical problems.
And so I'm -- let me end with a story here about Yadira Vieyra. Yadira says she goes to Georgetown University, and she said -- I was asking if Yadira was going to be here so I could ask her to stand here in a minute, and a fellow told me she's a little worried about missing class. So whoever Yadira's teacher is, please blame it on me, not her. (Laughter.)
She is a -- she was born in Mexico -- Mexicana. And they moved to Chicago, probably to try to realize a better life -- I'm confident, to try to realize a better life. Mom and dad had a dream to give their family hope. There's no more hopeful place in the world, by the way, than the United States of America. We shouldn't be surprised when people come to America for a hopeful life. That's what America has been and should be. (Applause.)
And then we shouldn't be surprised when the parents hope that their children get a great education, because there's nothing more hopeful for a parent than to know their child is receiving a good education. Well, that's what Yadira's folks wanted for her. So when the time came -- time for her to go to high school came, they wanted something better than a low-performing high school. You know, one of the interesting things about the accountability system -- a lot of people think that their child goes to the finest school ever, until the results get posted. (Laughter.)
And it's -- the whole purpose, by the way, is not to embarrass anybody, it's not to scold anybody. The whole purpose is to achieve excellence for every person. And so Yadira's parents I'm sure took a look at the school system and said, there's a better way. And so, guess what, she went to Cristo Rey, the program I just described to you. And she was challenged by the school's rigorous academics.
If you set low standards, guess what you're going to get? Low results. If you believe in every child's worth and every child can learn, it's important to set high standards and challenge the children, and that's what happened in the school she went to. She was inspired by great teachers. She said she was motivated by the school's amazing job program. And she is now at Georgetown University, one of the great schools -- universities in America. And guess what she wants to do when she leaves Georgetown? She wants to enroll in Notre Dame's ACE program. Yadira, thanks for coming. (Applause.)
You either just got an A -- (laughter) -- or an F. (Laughter.) Either case, we're glad you're here -- (laughter) -- and I love your example. And the reason why it's important to have examples -- so that we get beyond the rhetoric and realize that we're dealing with the human potential. Someday no telling what Yadira's going to be in life, but one thing is for certain: it's going to be a productive citizen, and America will be better for it. And so we're glad you're here. Thank you for your spirit. Tell your parents, thank you. (Applause.)
And so let me close with what happened at National Stadium with His Holy Father. When he celebrated mass there, one of the objects he blessed at the end of the mass was the new cornerstone of the Pope John Paul the Great High School in Arlington, Virginia. Isn't that interesting? I'm sure there was a lot of demands on His Holy Father, but he took time to bless the cornerstone of a school.
And my hope is, is that we're laying cornerstones for new schools here or revived schools; that we take the spirit of the Holy Father and extend it throughout the country, and work for excellence for every child; to set high standards, and when we find centers of excellence, not them go away, but to think of policy that will enable them to not only exist, not only survive, but to thrive. It's in our nation's interest. It's an important summit for America.
I thank you for bringing your talents, your energies and your efforts. I thank you for caring deeply about our young. And I thank you for being a part of what I believe is a necessary strategy to make sure America continues to be a hopeful place for all. God bless you. Thank you, all. (Applause.)
END 10:53 A.M. EDT
Consumer May Benefit from Fed Rate Pause
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/367504.aspx
Consumers should be able to expect some relief from soaring prices now that the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates yet again.
But that hasn't been the case after seven straight months of rate cuts.
During that time frame, the value of the dollar has stumbled, oil prices have skyrocketed and many say the economic outlook is still grim.
One problem seems to be that banks are reluctant to loan out money in the wake of the housing slump and credit crunch.
Still, some economists say that the economic woes would be far greater without the Fed's intervention.
"With the Fed on hold and the dollar firming, oil and gasoline and food prices may all top out some time in the next few months," Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, told The Associated Press.
The reduction on Wednesday was a much smaller quarter-point move - not the half-point and three-fourths-point moves of earlier this year. It pushed the federal funds rate down to 2 percent.
That may be as low as consumer rates go. The central bank believes it may have done enough to keep the economic slowdown from deepening into a recession.
"The Fed may have gotten to the point where it could start hurting economic prospects in terms of the value of the dollar and oil prices and grain prices," said Sung Won Sohn, an economics professor at California State University. "It think it was time for the Fed to slow down and take a pause."
Without further rate cuts, the dollar can be expected to stabilize and possibly rebound from the record lows against the euro and other currencies.
That should help various commodities, including oil and food, to backtrack from their recent record highs -- a process that may have already started.
Bible Found Open in Va. Tornado Aftermath
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/367916.aspx
Many of the tornado victims in Virginia say it is a miracle no one died in this week's storms.
Beth and John Catania now have proof of God's protection.
When a tornado shattered their home on Monday, Beth was hurled from a closet she was hiding in, but she thanked God she was still alive.
When the couple returned to gather up their belongings on Wednesday, they managed to save a few things. But what she found lying on the kitchen floor was the greatest treasure of all.
It was her grandmother's Bible, lying open on the foundation where their house once stood.
It was opened to Psalm 75, and when Beth read the verse aloud, she knew it was a promise from God.
"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds," it says.
"You say, 'I choose the appointed time, it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.'"
She says she felt its promise of God's protection explained her survival.
Now, Beth says she and her husband will "just wait and see what God has for us." She says God "has a new house for us somewhere. That's not a concern at all."
And as for her grandmother's Bible, "I'm going to read that in church from now on," she said.
"I'm alive, and circumstances say I shouldn't be," she said. "God is good, all the time, in every single circumstance."
California's Marriage Initiative Heads for the Ballot
http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion07136.shtml
SACRAMENTO -- ProtectMarriage.com, a coalition of pro-family organizations, churches and individuals, announced today successfully collecting signatures from over 1.1 million voters to put an initiative on the November ballot to protect marriage in California as only between a man and a woman.
"The people's overwhelming support to protect the longstanding meaning of marriage as between a man and a woman has been staggering," stated Ron Prentice, Chairman of the ProtectMarriage.com Executive Committee and CEO of California Family Council. "The California Marriage Amendment will allow the people of California, not politicians or judges, to reaffirm the definition of marriage by placing it in the Constitution."
Proponents collected most of the signatures in just a little more than 90 days, far fewer than the 150 days allowed by law. Signature gatherers also overcame a "decline-to-sign" campaign waged by gay-rights organizations, which resulted in significant harassment and intimidation of voters wishing to sign the petition.
Prentice explained that boxes of petitions are being delivered to election officials in all 58 counties, who will now validate the petitions and determine if the needed 694,354 valid signatures have been submitted. If so, the measure will appear on the November 2008 ballot.
Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, a proponent and signer of the initiative, said, "This initiative places the wording of Proposition 22, which was passed just a few years ago by over 61% of voters, into the state Constitution where it is safe from tampering by lawmakers and judges. We are very encouraged by the number of volunteers that have turned out to place this important issue before the people and are confident that the ballot measure will pass in November."
Proposition 22, which did not change the state Constitution, is currently being reviewed by the California Supreme Court in a legal challenge brought by the City of San Francisco and gay-rights organizations. A decision is expected by June.
Since the passage of Prop 22 in 2000, state lawmakers have approved domestic partnerships in California, which provide many of the rights and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples and heterosexual couples over 62 - without the requirement of marriage. The California Marriage Amendment will not affect these rights or benefits.
Ultrasound Bill Downed in Florida
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/367949.aspx
A Florida abortion bill that would require all women seeking a first-trimester abortion to have an ultrasound first has failed to pass the state's senate.
After a heated debate, the votes were equally divided, 20-20, causing the measure to fail under state law, the Palm Beach Post reports
The measure also splintered state Republicans. Seven GOP members voted against their party's bill.
Florida's top senate leader fought for the ultrasound bill as a final piece of legislation before ending his 28-year state political career this Friday.
"I'm pro-life, so I want to see as many people think as long as they can about it before having (an abortion)," Majority Leader Dan Webster said. "I've had six kids. Those ultrasounds are awesome. They impacted me, they impacted my wife."
All but one of the state's nine female senators denied the bill. Abortion rights groups also praised the Florida senate for not passing the bill, known as SB2400.
Under the legislation, doctors would have been required to offer and explain an ultrasound to women seeking an abortion during the first three months of pregnancy.
In Florida, ultrasounds are required for abortions in the second and third trimesters, but 90 percent of abortions are done in the first.
Opposing Views
The bill stated that women could decline seeing the image of their baby, but they'd still have to get the ultrasound.
Opponents said that was an unecessary expense. Ultrasounds cost anywhere from $100-200.
"If you are looking at biblical passages or morality to support this, remember: The Bible does mention the poor," Democrat Dave Aronberg argued.
Physicians would not have had to offer the ultrasound to victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking, or those getting an abortion for medical reasons.
Women who fit those exceptions, however, would have been required to prove their situation.
Supporters say most clinics already conduct ultrasounds before abortions to determine fetus age, and the bill would not be much of an inconvenience.
Women Tell of Coerced, Illegal Abortions as KS Governor Continues Abortion Corruption Scandal
http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion07135.shtml
WICHITA, Kans. -- Women have come forward and shared their stories of coerced, botched, and illegal abortions at the nation's largest late-term abortion mill, operated by George R. Tiller in Wichita, Kansas.
"These are heart-breaking stories for which we hold Governor Kathleen Sebelius personally responsible," said Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger. "The governor has appointed people to all the state's enforcement institutions that continue to turn a blind eye to lawbreaking and unethical behavior on the part of the abortion cartel. She is at the heart of the abortion corruption scandal in Kansas that has already cost the jobs of an attorney general and two top members of the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. Unfortunately, that is just the tip of the iceberg."
Women have told Operation Rescue of their experiences with late abortions at Tiller's Women's Health Care Services in response to an Internet appeal for their stories. Those experiences include:
- An abortion on a 14-year old girl who did not understand what was happening to her. Her traumatic abortion resulted in drug abuse and suicidal thoughts.
- An unwanted abortion on a 17-year old whose abusive parents forced her to abort. The girl was drugged into submission and her pleas for help ignored by clinic staff.
- A forced abortion on a 19-year old whose last word before succumbing to the anesthesia was, "Nooooo!"
- A step-mom who coerced a young girl into an unwanted abortion contrary to the wishes of her rightful parent, resulting in a disturbing personality change in her daughter.
Other women shared experiences of botched or illegal abortions, including:
An abortion done on a woman in her 25th week of pregnancy whose medical records show that the abortion was not medically necessary, in violation of Kansas Law.
A botched abortion that resulted in years of gynecological problems.
"Gov. Sebelius is using her appointees in the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, the Kansas Department of Health, the Attorney General's office, and perhaps even the Kansas Supreme Court to cover up for Tiller's wrongdoing. This is costing innocent lives that laws have been enacted to protect, as well as untold human misery in the lives of vulnerable young girls who do not have the will to resist the tremendous pressures to abort. We can no longer ignore these tragedies. We again urge the legislature to conduct an investigation into this abortion corruption scandal."
About Operation Rescue Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
EXPELLED Producers to Yoko Ono: Let It Be
http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion07137.shtml
DALLAS -- A new front has been opened in the culture wars. Ben Stein's EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed stunned detractors by opening as the nation's #10 movie last weekend. Out for less than one week, it has already become one of the top 25 documentaries of all time.
Opponents of the film have attacked everyone and everything in it. They have attacked the producers, the star, the music, and film itself. They have even attacked those who have seen it. Now they want to change the Constitution.
Yoko Ono and others have now filed lawsuits challenging the film's use and critique of John Lennon's song Imagine. One of the suits seeks to ban free speech through preliminary injunctive relief which essentially means that they are trying to expel EXPELLED as it is now being shown in theaters.
"If you really listen to the lyrics of Imagine then you realize that it represents everything that the Neo- Darwinists want. 'Imagine there's no Heaven...No hell below us...Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too...' That's exactly what the Darwinist establishment wants to do: get rid of religion. And that's what we point out when we play less than 15 seconds of the song and show some of the lyrics on screen," said Walt Ruloff Executive Producer and CEO of Premise Media.
Executive Producer and Chairman of Premise Media Logan Craft explained, "The fair use doctrine is a well established principle that gives the public the right to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for the purposes of commentary and criticism. While some may not like what we have to say or how we say it, we have the free speech right to do so - just as other political and social commentators have been doing for years."
Premise did not pursue a license for the song and had no obligation to do so. Unbiased viewers of the film will see that the Imagine clip was used as part of a social commentary in the exercise of free speech. The brief clip - consisting of a mere 10 words - was used to contrast the messages in the documentary and was not used as an endorsement of EXPELLED.
But the irony of this lawsuit was not lost on the film's star Ben Stein, "So Yoko Ono is suing over the brief Constitutionally protected use of a song that wants us to 'Imagine no possessions'? Maybe instead of wasting everyone's time trying to silence a documentary she should give the song to the world for free? After all, 'imagine all the people sharing all the world...You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the World can live as one.'"
For more information on EXPELLED, visit www.getexpelled.com and www.expelledthemovie.com.
State Legislators Seek Bills to Allow Questioning of Evolution Theory in Schools
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353767,00.html
MIAMI, Fla. — The debate over evolution is evolving. Although federal courts have banned teaching "creation theory" or "intelligent design theory" in public schools, legislators in several states are seeking new ways to allow teachers to cast doubt on the theory of evolution.
The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill this week that will require schools to teach "critical analysis" of evolution.
On Tuesday Michigan introduced a similar "academic freedom" bill. Louisiana, Alabama and Missouri also have legislation under debate, although no state has adopted a law yet.
Opponents say these bills that allow the questioning of evolution are a smokescreen for teaching creationism or intelligent design.
Creation theory is the religious belief that God created all life. Intelligent design is the theory that some features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an "intelligent cause." While advocates contend intelligent design is a scientific theory, a federal judge in 2005 ruled that the theory is religious in nature and it is unconstitutional to teach it in public schools.
In Florida, Rep. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, who sponsored the House bill, insists it would "not permit, nor authorize, nor allow the teaching of creationism or intelligent design" or any other religious theory.
But the bill would offer supplementary scientific information and encourage teachers and students to engage in discussion that criticizes evolution.
"I do not expect teachers to go into the classrooms and present a bizarre array of theories," Hays told FOXNews.com. "The theory of evolution, which most practicing biologists are teaching today, is inadequate in explaining our existence in the eyes of some scientists. Teachers need to be able to bring their students up to date."
The state already has a measure that protects teachers who challenge evolution, but the Florida Senate has stopped short of ratifying the House's proposed bill requiring it be taught.
But critics of these "academic freedom" measures say they are backdoor entries to teaching creationism.
"These anti-evolution bills are really the creationism du jour, an end run around the legal decisions that have banned the outright teaching of creationism," said Eugenie C. Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education in Oakland, Calif.
Scott said these bills tap into American cultural values of free speech and equality, but with the intended result of allowing the students themselves to "flip over to this dichotomous thinking that God must have created us."
John West, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute — a Seattle-based think tank that supports intelligent design and offered language that most state legislatures have used to pattern their bills — said the measure merely encourages discussion, not outright teaching, of intelligent design.
"We oppose intelligent design mandates," West said. "The text of both (Florida) bills make very clear that this isn't protecting the right to give religious critiques."
He added that the Discovery Institute opposes teaching creationism in the classroom and supported the 2005 ruling by a federal judge in Pennsylvania that banned a policy requiring ninth grade science teachers in Dover, Pa., to read a statement acknowledging the existence of intelligent design theory before teaching evolution.
Rep. John Moolenaar of Midland, Mich., who sponsored his state's academic freedom bill and was a science major in college, said it's only fair that students and teachers question, for example, phenomena like the sudden appearance of diverse species, not explained by theories of gradual progression.
"Educators should have the freedom to bring in the best scientific information to facilitate those discussions," Moolenaar said. "We’re trying to get students to ask the question: What scientific evidence exists for what theories?"
But Scott said applying a "fairness" argument to science teaching is "wrong-headed," and that such legislation is a disservice to Florida and the country's science and biotechnology industry.
"Any student shaky on this subject can kiss those careers goodbye," she said.
Dean Falk, Chairwoman of Florida State University's Department of Anthropology, agreed. "I was totally taken aback. Florida already has a reputation for being very conservative when it comes to education and teaching science. This underscores that, so I think it's an embarrassment," she said.
Earlier this week, the Louisiana Senate passed a bill allowing local school boards to approve supplementary materials to be added to the science curriculum. Some teachers in the state are using 7-year-old textbooks.
In similar moves, the Alabama State Senate passed a non-harassment bill for teachers expressing critiques of evolution, and Missouri's House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on a bill that would allow for intelligent design to be taught as a hypothesis.
Michigan's bill, introduced Tuesday night, protects teachers and students from being penalized for discussing challenges to traditional scientific theories on such topics as biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, human impact on climate change and human cloning.
The hot button issue of course is how far to push the scientific debate and whether proposed legislation is really going to be limited to just scientific discussions.
Air Force Lt. Becomes YouTube Inspiration
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/367818.aspx
Air Force Lt. Rachel Sherburne is getting worldwide attention for a video she published on Youtube.
The video, which is not an official military production, tells the story of a different kind of warrior - one who serves. It was posted from the frontlines in Iraq.
"Servant leadership requires a vision written by God on our hearts," her video said. "A vision to see beyond ourselves and serve our fellow man."
Although she was raised as 'Air Force brat', it wasn't always her goal to join the military.
"I wanted to move to L.A. and become a model or actress," Rachel told Tidewater Woman magazine. "
But things changed when, in high school, her father encouraged her to apply for an ROTC scholarship. While she disliked the idea of a rigorous program, she opted to give it her all and "be the best flight-mate I could."
Part of Rachel's responsibilities included formulating press releases and briefing her superiors on news from the home front. It was a job she took seriously.
"If I am going to tell a story, why not represent and tell the story of the best organization in the country?" Sherburne told Louisiana State University's Daily Reveille just before she was to deploy on a four-month tour in Iraq.
So far, thousands of people have watched her story - and some have been inspired.
"Before I was in the Air Force, my first concern was taking care of myself," Sherburne said. "Now, as an officer, it is taking care of and leading other people."
Israel Remembers the Holocaust
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/367503.aspx
JERUSALEM, Israel - While Jews worldwide remember the Nazi atrocities on Yom HaShoah [Holocaust Rembrance Day), in Israel it's a national memorial observed in every Jewish household.
At Wednesday evening's traditional opening ceremonies at Jerusalem's Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial, six Holocaust survivors each lit one six torches in solemn remembrance of the six million Jews murdered during the reign of the Third Reich.
"The voices of those who deny the Holocaust are also being heard," Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said. "To them -- the haters, the deniers and all the conspirators of evil and to all of those who allow them to function within their realms, we say today, this shall never happen again."
Ironically, Olmert's peace partner, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, wrote his doctoral thesis on Holocaust denial.
"Sixty-three years have passed since the Nazi's and their collaborator's Satanic death factories ceased to operate. Yet with the passing of time, the dimensions of the Holocaust remain beyond comparison, unfathomably shocking, unacceptably chilling," Olmert continued.
"Who would have believed that 63 years later, hatred of Jews and Israelis would rear its ugly head in so many different places around the globe, provocatively and venomously, inciting hatred?" the prime minister asked.
At 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, all Israel came to a standstill while the two-minute siren sounded throughout the country. Olmert laid a wreath at Yad VaShem and the day's activities, many of them at the Yad VaShem museum, began.
Yom HaShoah ends with another torch-lighting ceremony at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai in the Negev, dedicated to Jewish fighters at the Warsaw Ghetto.
Hamas: Jews Planned the Holocaust
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/367480.aspx
GAZA STRIP - A Hamas documentary teaches that the Jews planned the Nazi Holocaust to dispense of "disabled and handicapped" Jews.
Aired on an "educational program" on Hamas' al-Aksa satellite television network last week, the documentary claimed that the Jews' Zionist plot had two main goals:
* To send weakened Jews to the death camps so they wouldn't burden the future State of Israel
* To make it appear that Jews "seem persecuted" to "benefit from international sympathy"
In the documentary, Amin Dabur, the film's narrator and head of the Palestinian Center for Strategic Research, called the "Israeli" Holocaust a "joke" and "part of the perfect show that [Israel's first prime minister, David] Ben Gurion put on."
According to Dabur, Ben Gurion believed that "disabled and handicapped Jews are a burden to the [future] state so the "Satanic Jews thought up an evil plot to be rid of the burden of disabled and handicapped in twisted, criminal ways."
"This is official Hamas TV," said Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) director Itamar Marcus. "It's owned and totally controlled by the Hamas leadership in Gaza, and it goes out by satellite to the whole Arab-speaking world," he said.
The documentary compared the genocide of Jews in the Holocaust to the deaths of Palestinians at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon, blaming Israel for a "Palestinian holocaust."
A transcript of the documentary may be seen on the Palestinian Media Watch Web site.
Israeli Prime Minister to Face Police Questioning
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353782,00.html
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is a suspect in several alleged corruption affairs, will face police questioning on Friday, his office said. It was not known which of the cases was to be covered.
In a statement Thursday, Olmert's office said that he "made time in his busy schedule" for one hour of interrogation on Friday, according to a police request, and he intends to "cooperate fully" with the police.
Olmert is a suspect in shady real estate deals and questionable political appointments. He has been questioned several times in the past by police but he has never been charged.
In November, police recommended closing one of the cases, which involved allegations that he tried to steer a government bank sale in the direction of supporters.
In October, Israel's attorney general ordered a criminal investigation into suspicions that Olmert acted improperly while he was trade minister.
If Olmert is indicted, he would have to resign, but a decision about formal charges is months away.
Iraqi Team Seeks Halt to Suspected Iranian Aid to Militias
http://www.newsmax.com/international/iraq_iran/2008/05/01/92663.html
BAGHDAD -- Iraqi envoys stepped up pressure on Iran during a mission Thursday that seeks to bolster claims that Tehran is arming and training Shiite militias in Iraq and bring the suspected aid to a halt.
The visit to Iran by the five-member delegation opened a new political front in the expanding Shiite-on-Shiite showdown between Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government and rival Shiite factions _ including some with suspected Iranian backing.
It also followed a wave of sharp rhetoric from U.S. officials that included CIA Director Michael Hayden accusing Iran's leadership of crafting policies "to facilitate the killing of Americans in Iraq."
Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the delegation's visit a "very important step" for Iraq's government to confront high-level authorities in Iran, the established center of Shiite political power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
"For a Shiite prime minister to send a delegation to Iran presumably to confront the Iranians with that kind of a choice, I think, is a healthy development," Gates said at Fort Bliss, Texas.
"I don't know how you evaluate the success or failure of a mission like that except over time and looking back and seeing if the supply of weapons and training and so on has diminished," he added.
The Iraqi delegation _ five senior Shiite politicians _ held one of its first meetings with the commander of the Quds Force, an elite unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guards that has been accused of training and funneling weapons to Shiite extremists.
The delegation showed the commander, Brig. Gen. Ghassem Soleimani, documents and other material they say supported the allegations, according to a member of the delegation who spoke by telephone from Iran. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
The lawmaker did not share further information, but said a second meeting with Soleimani was expected Friday.
The Quds Force is believed to have operated abroad, helping to create the militant Hezbollah in the early 1980s in Lebanon and arm Bosnian Muslims during the Balkan wars.
Iran has denied it offers any aid to Shiite militias in Iraq.
But the Bush administration has ramped up its anti-Iran comments as American troops have faced near daily clashes with Shiite militiamen since Iraq's government launched a crackdown in late March.
The combat helped push the U.S. military's death toll in Iraq to at least 51 in April, the highest monthly toll since 65 were killed in September.
At Kansas State University, Hayden responded to a question Wednesday by claiming the "highest level" of Iran's government backs policies to assist the "killing of Americans" in Iraq.
Marine Lt. Gen. John Sattler, director of strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also said that Iraq's prime minister had been given "evidence" about Iranian moves. Other Pentagon officials said it shows continuing Iranian help to Shiite militias inside Iraq.
Al-Maliki's attempt to cripple Shiite militias has put him squarely at odds with the powerful Mahdi Army led anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who is believed to be under Iranian protection in the Shiite seminary city of Qom south of Tehran.
Al-Sadr has urged for an end to battles against Iraqi security forces, but has threatened an "open war" on American troops. After the call last week, his backers have escalated attacks in Sadr City, their main stronghold in Baghdad and the key battleground of the current clashes.
The Iraqi delegation has no plans to meet al-Sadr, said an Iraqi government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information.
Al-Maliki's Shiite-dominated government, meanwhile, is struggling to maintain a balance between its U.S. backers and neighboring Iran, which has close ties to Iraq's leadership.
The five politicians left for Tehran on Wednesday carrying documents and other material they claim indicate that the Quds Force is supplying weapons and training fighters, the Iraqi government officials said.
The delegation also was expected to meet with Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to stress that the escalating clashes were threatening political gains by Shiites, officials said.
U.S. military officials have said the documents include details of weapons that have date stamps showing they were produced in Iran this year _ including mortars, rockets and armor-piercing roadside bombs.
Reda Jawad Taqi, a Shiite lawmaker and a senior member of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, said the purpose of the trip was "to review the current situation in Iraq with Iranian officials, to clarify the situation with them and to enhance the mutual relationship between the two countries."
Al-Sadr's spokesman in the Iraqi Shiite holy city of Najaf also said that the cleric will not meet the Iraqi delegation.
Sheik Salah al-Obeidi claimed that the Iraqi delegation that traveled to Tehran was under the influence of Iran and does not represent Iraq's national interests.
Azerbaijan Releases Russian Equipment for Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Plant
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353721,00.html
BAKU, Azerbaijan — Azerbaijan released a shipment of Russian equipment for Iran's first nuclear power plant on Thursday, more than a month after it was halted at the border, a customs official said.
The cargo passed through the Astara customs checkpoint on the border with Iran, said the official with Azerbaijan's State Customs Committee. He spoke on condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Azerbaijan had halted the cargo of heat-isolating equipment headed for the Bushehr plant on March 29, and demanded more information from Russia about the nature of the material. Azerbaijani officials said they feared the equipment could violate United Nations sanctions.
The Russian state-run company building Bushehr, OAO Atomstroiexport, accused Azerbaijan of deliberately obstructing the cargo.
Atomstroiexport officials could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.
Iran is paying Russia more than $1 billion to build the light-water reactor — Iran's first atomic energy plant. Construction has been held up by disputes between Tehran and Moscow over payments and a schedule for shipping nuclear fuel.
The United States and other Western nations that fear Iran is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons have criticized Russia in the past for building Bushehr.
Washington, however, softened its position after Iran agreed to return spent nuclear fuel to Russia to ensure it does not extract plutonium from it that could be used to make atomic bombs.
The United States and its Western allies also agreed to drop any reference to Bushehr in the sanctions resolutions passed by the U.N. Security Council as a result of Russian pressure.
Russia says the plant's contract is in line with all international agreements aimed at preventing nuclear weapons proliferation.
Rice Raises New Doubts Re Iran's Nuke rogram
http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/Rice_Raises_New_Doubts_Re/2008/05/01/92718.html
LONDON — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice raised fresh doubts Thursday about the nature of Iran's nuclear program, saying if the clerical state really wanted only an avenue to peaceful atomic energy it could quickly have it.
Instead, Iran is stonewalling on an attractive deal to trade away only the part of the program that could result in a nuclear weapon, Rice said ahead of a gathering of the U.N. nations that have presented a carrot-or-stick package to Iran.
"I continue to suspect this is not at all about a civil nuclear program," Rice told reporters traveling with her. Iran's insistence that it be able to enrich uranium on its terms seems at cross-purposes with that goal, Rice said.
"One has to wonder what is going on here."
U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in a report last year that Iran shelved an active weapons-development program years ago, a finding that undercut the Bush administration's claim that Iran was using a public energy development program to hide a secret drive for a bomb. An unclassified summary of the report, known as a National Intelligence Estimate, said Iran could resume a weapons program and might evade detection if it did. Rice did not say whether she thought that had happened and did not directly accuse Iran of lying.
Iran insists its program is peaceful but says it is an affront to give up full ownership of nuclear processes that Western nations possess. Israel is also assumed to possess nuclear weapons and the technology that would be at least temporarily withheld from Iran under the proposed international bargain.
Analysts have suggested that Iran may be deliberately leaving ambiguities about its program as a negotiating tactic and to project strength as it competes with the United States for influence in the Middle East. Other analysts say it is probably inevitable that Iran will acquire the bomb.
Rice is meeting Friday with other permanent, veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council to discuss the next step with Iran. The session in London could be contentious, and Rice tried to play down expectations for a clear agreement on what to do next.
The U.S. was a main driver in the passage of three rounds of mild U.N. sanctions, the sticks that the U.S. thinks are more likely to get Iran to back down. But the U.S. has also bowed to other partners who want to try to entice Iran by offering more or better carrots. There is a potential fight brewing over what those incentives might be.
"There is a desire, I think, on the part of some participants to look again at the package we have and say, 'Is this everything we want to do in the package?'" Rice said. "I don't mind continuing to look at the package, but this is a generous package" already, she said.
The U.S. contention that Iran covertly sought a weapon was an important ingredient in winning any sanctions, and the Bush administration has scrambled since the National Intelligence Estimate findings were made public to say that Iran remains a threat. The Security Council approved the latest round of sanctions after the NIE was released.
On another issue concerning Iran, Rice said the U.S.-backed government in Iraq informed the Bush administration ahead of time about a planned face-to-face meeting with the Iranians over alleged Iranian support for militants and insurgents in Iraq.
"He is engaging his neighbor about what it would be useful to have Iran do," Rice said, referring to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Maoists' Victory Seen as Positive for Religious Freedom in Nepal
http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion07138.shtml
Christians in Nepal have welcomed the victory of the Maoist party in elections held on April 10 for an assembly to rewrite the constitution and make the nation a democratic republic.
The Maoists clinched 119 seats of the 224 results announced for the constituent assembly. Believers see the victory as a step forward towards full religious freedom in the country which has been an official Hindu kingdom for more than 200 years.
Commenting on the election result, Bernie Daniel, a spokesman for The Voice of Martyrs Canada said: "It is indeed ironic that an electoral victory by a Maoist organization is perceived as conducive to religious freedom.
"It remains to be seen if this is going to be true, but we certainly hope and pray that the Maoists will keep their promise to be part of a democratic Nepal committed to respect the rights of our Christian brethren to worship God freely in the nation."
Pray for Nepalese Christians to continue trusting and serving the Lord as their country faces major change in its governance (1 Cor. 15:58). Ask God to reach the leaders of the Maoist party that won the election so that they will come to faith in Christ.
For more information on the state of religious freedom in Nepal, go to www.persecution.net/country/nepal.htm.
Leaders: China Must Improve Human Rights
http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/367914.aspx
With the Olympics less than 100 days away, many on Capitol Hill say China needs to improve its human rights before it hosts the games.
Congressmen, religious leaders and activists rallied together to draw attention to China's actions in countries like Sudan, Burma and North Korea.
They say China is the greatest human rights abuser, and that it must recognize the dignity of people who are oppressed, especially the North Korean refugees.
"We stand to say that their lives are sacred, that they have dignity, regardless of what the Chinese government says or does," said Sen. Sam Brownback.
President Bush still plans to attend the Olympics, but other world leaders say they will boycott.
Brownback: China Trying to Censor Internet Access for Olympics Guests
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353661,00.html
WASHINGTON — Sen. Sam Brownback says the Chinese government is pressuring U.S. hotels in Beijing to monitor their Internet traffic in the run-up to the Olympic games this summer.
Brownback, R-Kan., joined by other congressional human rights activists at a Capitol Hill park in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, also called on President Bush and other U.S. leaders to boycott the opening ceremonies that are now less than 100 days away.
The lawmakers blasted China's record on human rights, reciting allegations of torture, religious and free-speech abuse of their own citizens, oppression of Tibetans, military and economic support of genocide in Sudan, torture and execution of North Koreans and backing of the dictatorship in Myanmar.
Brownback learned of the Internet-blocking moves by the Chinese from two sources, but could not divulge much further information, someone familiar with the conversation told FOX News.
"What I just learned yesterday is that the Chinese government has issued an outrageous directive, in preparation for the Olympics .... American hotels have been ordered by the Chinese government to place monitors and filters on their Internet piping to facilitate spying on international guests and visitors," Brownback said.
"This is wrong, it's against international convention, it's certainly against the Olympic spirit. The Chinese government should not do that and should remove that request and that order."
The source close to the senator added that the Chinese action is "presumably to either monitor and or limit information coming in and out of China during the Olympics. ... We won't be able to provide any details as to where we got this information."
Brownback and the others — who were also joined by a sizeable group of human rights activists, as well as alleged victims of the Chinese government — had several other grievances to air about the Chinese government.
Brownback is tying the plight of North Koreans into the Olympics story and advising athletes to listen to their consciences before deciding whether to participate in the opening ceremonies this August.
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., called China's record "a human rights record of shame." Sen. Jim Bunning called China's modern history "abysmal." Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., said human rights are "worse today in China than they were 10 years ago."
"Dismal" was the adjective of choice for Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., made up his own word for what's going on in China: "Gender-cide," which he used to describe the government policy against birthing females to control population, which has reportedly manifested itself in some cases as government-required abortions.
Smith compared the Beijing Olympics to the 1936 games in Nazi Germany.
"When Berlin happened, and I'll conclude on this, a lot of people didn't know what the Nazis were all about. But we've had year after year of credible reporting of (the) Chinese government's human rights abuses, ... " Smith said.
"So I really believe it. I join my colleagues. President Bush — and no one else in this government — should be there for those opening ceremonies," he added.
Adam’s Angle: A Gentle Hand
http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/commentary/adams-angle-a-gentle-hand/
Do you squish? When you feel a tickle on your leg and see a bug, are you quick to unleash the wrath of your thumb?
If so, you may have a thing or two to learn about mercy.
What is mercy? It is simply holding back from hurting someone — or something — when it’s in our power to do so. Fortunately for us, mercy is also something God is famous for. In fact, God’s not going to kick you when you’re down, he’s going to lend you a hand to lift you up.
When God comforted the Jews through the prophet Isaiah, He told them about Jesus, their coming Messiah, saying: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3). We’ve all seen bent-over blades of grass or sputtering candle flames fighting for life. Sometimes we’ve even felt like them when life hits us hard.
We may feel like that when we go through a series of misfortunes or struggle to fight off that sin that just won’t seem to go away. If we’re young in our faith, we might even be deceived, thinking God is out to squish us. But that’s not who He is. He is merciful.
Is God a Pushover?
But if God is merciful, does that mean he’s like a plush teddy bear in the sky that turns a blind eye to sin? Not at all. Jesus, who showed mercy to the woman at the well in John chapter four, is the same Jesus who called the Pharisees “sons of serpents” and who overturned the tables of the moneychangers. Jesus was tough on the prideful and self-sufficient, but merciful to the people who were broken enough to repent.
But doesn’t God discipline His children? Yes, we know from Hebrews chapter twelve that God allows us to undergo hardship as discipline. But what we need to hold on to is that the heart behind all of His dealings with us is love. God is treating us as His sons and daughters.
I’ve been guilty from time to time of wrongly thinking that God wanted to be tough on me just because He could be. And I’m sure many a two-year-old thinks that about his or her parents every once in a while. But the truth of the matter is that God wants to help us.
Earlier in the Isaiah passage, God bares His heart to His people: “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you” (Isaiah 41:13-14). Even when the Jews felt like a helpless, insignificant worm, God wanted them to know that He was in their corner, not facing them as an opponent.
Mercy Me
As wonderful as it is to be on the receiving end of God’s mercy, the lesson doesn’t end there for Christians. We also need to be the ones showing mercy. And I don’t mean mercy to bugs, I mean showing mercy to people.
Each one of us knows someone who may be going through a “smouldering wick” time where they need a little TLC. They might be out of work. They might be a little socially awkward. They might ask you to drop them off at the bus stop because they don’t have access to a car to pick up their weekly groceries. We need to show mercy because great mercy has been shown to us.
And one last thing: I’m not saying don’t swat that mosquito. If you do, just tell yourself that it’s a metaphor for God’s judgment on the wicked. But make sure you show mercy in the important areas of your life.
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