Ballistics data don't support charge against border agents
Investigator: U.S. attorney twisted evidence to fit case – 'guilty of malicious prosecution'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Ballistics reports, used in the trial of Ignacio "Nacho" Ramos, one of two Border Patrol agents convicted of shooting fleeing drug dealer Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila, do not support the prosecution's claim the bullet was fired from Ramos' gun, according to documents provided to WND from Andy Ramirez, chairman of the Friends of the Border Patrol.
Despite the conclusion of a laboratory criminalist that he could not conclusively link the bullet removed from Aldrete-Davila with Ramos' service weapon, a Department of Homeland Security agent swore, in an affidavit of complaint filed against Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, that Aldrete-Davila was hit by a round fired by Ramos.
"Johnny Sutton and his assistants are guilty of malicious prosecution," Ramirez charged to WND. "The prosecutors lied to the jury and he twisted evidence to make it fit his case. And when he couldn't twist the evidence, the government demanded that the court seal evidence which would have been exculpatory to the defense."
Nearly two years after the conclusion of the trial, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas has yet to release a transcript of the trial.
WND asked Ramirez if he was aware of the seriousness of his charges.
"I am very aware and I am accusing Mr. Sutton of a felony," Ramirez told WND, "but I am basing my conclusion on the evidence I have examined in this case and the refusal by the government to provide evidence to substantiate its claim to the Congress and the American people."
"Back on Sept. 26, 2006, officials from the DHS Office of Inspector General made serious allegations against both agents Ramos and Compean to four members of Congress from the Texas delegation," Ramirez said. "The Inspector General has subsequently refused to provide their evidence to substantiate their claims to Congress. So I am also accusing the DHS Office of Inspector General of making false statements to Congress in order to prevent a congressional inquiry. I am asking the U.S. Congress to subpoena all documents pertaining to this case including the full transcripts, sealed testimony, and the sealed indictment against Aldrete-Davila in order to get to the truth of this case once and for all."
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Click Here For Past Stories on Border Patrol Agents, posted on Biblical News...
Monday, January 29, 2007
Messianic Jewish believer says nothing fair about Fairness Doctrine
Chad Groening
OneNewsNow.com
January 29, 2007
If the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" is reinstated, it would muzzle conservative talk radio -- or so says the leader of a pro-Israel ministry based in Minnesota. Jan Markell is concerned about legislation afoot on Capitol Hill that would bring back a policy rescinded by Ronald Reagan almost 20 years ago.
The head of a pro-Israel ministry says if Democrats on Capitol Hill are successful in bringing back the Fairness Doctrine, radio stations would be forced to put anti-Israel propaganda on the air, following her program.
Jan Markell, founder and director of Olive Tree Ministries, says she is deeply concerned about the efforts of New York Congressman Maurice Hinchey and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who have introduced legislation designed to bring back the Fairness Doctrine that was rescinded by Ronald Reagan in 1987, before the rise of conservative talk radio.
Markell says the Fairness Doctrine, if reinstated, would effectively muzzle her program and others like it. She claims the goal of liberals is not balance, but instead to "destroy conservative and Christian media by requiring that each segment of every show contains the counterbalancing liberal viewpoint." She adds that such "draconian hyper-monitoring" would destroy her program.
"I just see the Left rising all the time -- gaining in power, gaining in strength, and gaining in hatred," Markell asserts. "What they hate is the truth; what they hate is anything that's godly and conservative and righteous. So if they can shut us up in any way, they're going to try to do it."
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OneNewsNow.com
January 29, 2007
If the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" is reinstated, it would muzzle conservative talk radio -- or so says the leader of a pro-Israel ministry based in Minnesota. Jan Markell is concerned about legislation afoot on Capitol Hill that would bring back a policy rescinded by Ronald Reagan almost 20 years ago.
The head of a pro-Israel ministry says if Democrats on Capitol Hill are successful in bringing back the Fairness Doctrine, radio stations would be forced to put anti-Israel propaganda on the air, following her program.
Jan Markell, founder and director of Olive Tree Ministries, says she is deeply concerned about the efforts of New York Congressman Maurice Hinchey and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who have introduced legislation designed to bring back the Fairness Doctrine that was rescinded by Ronald Reagan in 1987, before the rise of conservative talk radio.
Markell says the Fairness Doctrine, if reinstated, would effectively muzzle her program and others like it. She claims the goal of liberals is not balance, but instead to "destroy conservative and Christian media by requiring that each segment of every show contains the counterbalancing liberal viewpoint." She adds that such "draconian hyper-monitoring" would destroy her program.
"I just see the Left rising all the time -- gaining in power, gaining in strength, and gaining in hatred," Markell asserts. "What they hate is the truth; what they hate is anything that's godly and conservative and righteous. So if they can shut us up in any way, they're going to try to do it."
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Nurturing Teen Faith
Nurturing Teen Faith
By Heather Sells
CBN News
CWNews.com – The latest research on teens shows that while many may "say" they believe, their faith is often shallow or misguided. It's a big concern for church leaders and parents, who are all too aware of the stakes involved.
A recent teen rally, may have appeared to be a typical razzle-dazzle youth event, but it was much more serious.
Ron Luce, founder of Teen Mania Ministries, said, "Most people come to Christ before they're 20--about 90 percent. We've got about 5 years before most of this generation is in their 20s. "
Luce is a man on a mission. He is so concerned about today's kids not grabbing hold of their faith--that along with the National Association of Evangelicals, he's launching a campaign to double the size of youth groups at its 40,000-member churches.
"People always say 'Oh, we just care about quality, not quantity,'" Luce said. "Well why not both? Jesus didn't die for 10 quality people, he died for the world."
That's a high mark to reach for youth pastors like Nancy Stellabotta from southern Maryland.
On some nights, her group consists of just a handful of kids.
But Stellabotta knows full well she's in a battle against a culture that lures today's teens away from a walk of faith.
It's apparent in the easy 24/7 access to more provocative media, peer pressure around drinking, drugs and sex -- and a politically correct world that says anything goes.
Youth group member Jeannette Wheeler said, "Sometime you fear that people won't think less of you, but 'different' of you."
Plus, like adults, many kids are so busy that it's easy to neglect their relationship with God.
"Sometimes after work I'm so tired, I just want to go to sleep," said youth group member Carly Morasch. And then it's like, 'I'll just pray tomorrow.'"
Stellabotta's strategy is one that many youth pastors are adopting: focus more on substance and less on the fun and games.
Stellabotta said, "It needs to be a heart change. There needs to be some level of conviction that is going to carry somebody through the tough times when they get out on their own and they have to make decisions without mom and dad in their life."
Her instinct to dig deep is right on with the latest research that shows even so-called Christian kids are often clueless about the foundations of their faith.
In interviews with more than 200 adolescents, Christian Smith, an evangelical sociologist, found that many teens are content in the church of their parents.
In fact, half of all youth say their faith is "very or extremely important."
But even with so many teens saying their faith is important to them, many still have a hard time explaining what it is that they believe.
Smith said, "They didn't have a theological language to draw on. They didn't have canned answers. We would ask, 'Who's Jesus?' 'Uh.' They wouldn't know. They couldn't even say 'Son of God.' Most."
So if teens can't explain their faith -- what do they truly believe?
Smith says, in reality, many evangelical youth are practicing a New-Agey type philosophy, which is, "The purpose of life is to be happy, to be fulfilled. God does not need to be involved in our lives particularly, until we have a problem."
It's a belief system that teens may adopt without even realizing where they're headed. Some Maryland kids told us their thoughts about God.
Youth group member Carly Morasch said, "He's the only Way, and the only Person who can give you peace and fulfill you."
"I believe that He is a Comforter. He is like a Father figure," said youth group member Enoch Paku.
Youth group member Jeannette Wheeler said, "To me, God is my Father. He's the one thing in my life that keeps it from falling apart."
Eighteen-year-old Wheeler lives in rural Maryland with her mom, whose faith she greatly admires.
"I'm not half as strong as my mother," Wheeler said. "My mother's very strong."
Youth ministry has traditionally thought kids grow best spiritually with other kids -- but the thinking has changed.
Youth consultant Mark Devries said, "If you're going to learn to be a Christian adult, the best place to do that is around Christian adults."
Devries intentionally uses loads of adult volunteers in his youth group--and emphasizes the influence of parents.
It's an influence, says Smith, that has been greatly underestimated.
"A lot of parents tell me--'Now that my daughter's turned 13, she doesn't listen to me anymore.' And I can understand why that's their perception, but in most cases it's just not true. Their teenagers really are still listening to them," Smith said.
The ultimate purpose of parents and youth leaders: to nurture a faith that changes kids who then change the world around them.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
By Heather Sells
CBN News
CWNews.com – The latest research on teens shows that while many may "say" they believe, their faith is often shallow or misguided. It's a big concern for church leaders and parents, who are all too aware of the stakes involved.
A recent teen rally, may have appeared to be a typical razzle-dazzle youth event, but it was much more serious.
Ron Luce, founder of Teen Mania Ministries, said, "Most people come to Christ before they're 20--about 90 percent. We've got about 5 years before most of this generation is in their 20s. "
Luce is a man on a mission. He is so concerned about today's kids not grabbing hold of their faith--that along with the National Association of Evangelicals, he's launching a campaign to double the size of youth groups at its 40,000-member churches.
"People always say 'Oh, we just care about quality, not quantity,'" Luce said. "Well why not both? Jesus didn't die for 10 quality people, he died for the world."
That's a high mark to reach for youth pastors like Nancy Stellabotta from southern Maryland.
On some nights, her group consists of just a handful of kids.
But Stellabotta knows full well she's in a battle against a culture that lures today's teens away from a walk of faith.
It's apparent in the easy 24/7 access to more provocative media, peer pressure around drinking, drugs and sex -- and a politically correct world that says anything goes.
Youth group member Jeannette Wheeler said, "Sometime you fear that people won't think less of you, but 'different' of you."
Plus, like adults, many kids are so busy that it's easy to neglect their relationship with God.
"Sometimes after work I'm so tired, I just want to go to sleep," said youth group member Carly Morasch. And then it's like, 'I'll just pray tomorrow.'"
Stellabotta's strategy is one that many youth pastors are adopting: focus more on substance and less on the fun and games.
Stellabotta said, "It needs to be a heart change. There needs to be some level of conviction that is going to carry somebody through the tough times when they get out on their own and they have to make decisions without mom and dad in their life."
Her instinct to dig deep is right on with the latest research that shows even so-called Christian kids are often clueless about the foundations of their faith.
In interviews with more than 200 adolescents, Christian Smith, an evangelical sociologist, found that many teens are content in the church of their parents.
In fact, half of all youth say their faith is "very or extremely important."
But even with so many teens saying their faith is important to them, many still have a hard time explaining what it is that they believe.
Smith said, "They didn't have a theological language to draw on. They didn't have canned answers. We would ask, 'Who's Jesus?' 'Uh.' They wouldn't know. They couldn't even say 'Son of God.' Most."
So if teens can't explain their faith -- what do they truly believe?
Smith says, in reality, many evangelical youth are practicing a New-Agey type philosophy, which is, "The purpose of life is to be happy, to be fulfilled. God does not need to be involved in our lives particularly, until we have a problem."
It's a belief system that teens may adopt without even realizing where they're headed. Some Maryland kids told us their thoughts about God.
Youth group member Carly Morasch said, "He's the only Way, and the only Person who can give you peace and fulfill you."
"I believe that He is a Comforter. He is like a Father figure," said youth group member Enoch Paku.
Youth group member Jeannette Wheeler said, "To me, God is my Father. He's the one thing in my life that keeps it from falling apart."
Eighteen-year-old Wheeler lives in rural Maryland with her mom, whose faith she greatly admires.
"I'm not half as strong as my mother," Wheeler said. "My mother's very strong."
Youth ministry has traditionally thought kids grow best spiritually with other kids -- but the thinking has changed.
Youth consultant Mark Devries said, "If you're going to learn to be a Christian adult, the best place to do that is around Christian adults."
Devries intentionally uses loads of adult volunteers in his youth group--and emphasizes the influence of parents.
It's an influence, says Smith, that has been greatly underestimated.
"A lot of parents tell me--'Now that my daughter's turned 13, she doesn't listen to me anymore.' And I can understand why that's their perception, but in most cases it's just not true. Their teenagers really are still listening to them," Smith said.
The ultimate purpose of parents and youth leaders: to nurture a faith that changes kids who then change the world around them.
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Burma Government May Move to Abolish Christianity
Burma Government May Move to Abolish Christianity
By Gary Lane
CWN News
CWNews.com – Rangoon, BURMA - There are new concerns in Burma that the government is trying to destroy Christianity.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that an internal government document lays the foundation for eradicating the faith, including arresting anyone caught evangelizing.
This kind of persecution has been going for years in Burma, also known as Myanmar.
In 2005, CBN News met with Christians in Burma. These Burmese Christians sang praise songs; they worshiped openly and freely in a government-approved church in Rangoon.
But most Burmese Christians don't share their freedom. Government officials have shut down churches in this capital city and have disallowed the construction of new church buildings. The number of bibles allowed for import is limited and in-country printing of bibles and Christian literature is restricted.
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By Gary Lane
CWN News
CWNews.com – Rangoon, BURMA - There are new concerns in Burma that the government is trying to destroy Christianity.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that an internal government document lays the foundation for eradicating the faith, including arresting anyone caught evangelizing.
This kind of persecution has been going for years in Burma, also known as Myanmar.
In 2005, CBN News met with Christians in Burma. These Burmese Christians sang praise songs; they worshiped openly and freely in a government-approved church in Rangoon.
But most Burmese Christians don't share their freedom. Government officials have shut down churches in this capital city and have disallowed the construction of new church buildings. The number of bibles allowed for import is limited and in-country printing of bibles and Christian literature is restricted.
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Dutch Citizen Faces Terror Charges in U.S.
Dutch Citizen Faces Terror Charges in U.S.
By Lara Jakes Jordan
Associated Press Writer
January 29, 2007
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON - An Iraqi-born Dutch citizen is facing terror charges in what the Justice Department calls the United States' first criminal prosecution of attacks targeting Americans in Iraq.
Wesam al-Delaema, 33, is scheduled to be in federal court in Washington on Monday to face terrorism conspiracy charges, Justice spokesman Dean Boyd said. Al-Delaema, who was extradited from the Netherlands over the weekend, will become the first suspect tried in a U.S. court for alleged terrorism in Iraq's bloody insurgency.
The Justice Department said he was part of a group calling themselves the "Mujahideen from Fallujah," which hid explosives on a road.
Netherlands officials said he is also charged with possession of explosives. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Al-Delaema claims he is innocent, and his lawyers have argued that the U.S. does not have the right to try him.
Evidence against him includes a videotape he filmed of a group called "Warriors of Fallujah" preparing a roadside bomb, which was widely shown on Arabic TV stations.
The tape was seized by police who raided al-Delaema's house in the Dutch city of Amersfoort in May 2005, following a tip from U.S. authorities.
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By Lara Jakes Jordan
Associated Press Writer
January 29, 2007
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON - An Iraqi-born Dutch citizen is facing terror charges in what the Justice Department calls the United States' first criminal prosecution of attacks targeting Americans in Iraq.
Wesam al-Delaema, 33, is scheduled to be in federal court in Washington on Monday to face terrorism conspiracy charges, Justice spokesman Dean Boyd said. Al-Delaema, who was extradited from the Netherlands over the weekend, will become the first suspect tried in a U.S. court for alleged terrorism in Iraq's bloody insurgency.
The Justice Department said he was part of a group calling themselves the "Mujahideen from Fallujah," which hid explosives on a road.
Netherlands officials said he is also charged with possession of explosives. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Al-Delaema claims he is innocent, and his lawyers have argued that the U.S. does not have the right to try him.
Evidence against him includes a videotape he filmed of a group called "Warriors of Fallujah" preparing a roadside bomb, which was widely shown on Arabic TV stations.
The tape was seized by police who raided al-Delaema's house in the Dutch city of Amersfoort in May 2005, following a tip from U.S. authorities.
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Israel's Cabinet Approves Muslim Minister
Israel's Cabinet Approves Muslim Minister
By Matti Friedman
Associated Press Writer
January 29, 2007
CBNNews.com -- JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel was on the verge of installing the first Muslim Cabinet minister in its 58-year history Monday after the government overwhelmingly approved the appointment.
Parliament was scheduled to convene to give final approval to Raleb Majadele's appointment, which the government billed as a step toward equality for Muslim Arabs, Israel's largest minority.
The appointment was mired for weeks in political infighting and charges of racism. It drew criticism from hard-liners who said the move was little more than political expediency. Even Arab lawmakers dismissed the development, saying the government has little real interest in improving the lot of Israel's Arabs.
Majadele told Associated Press Television News that his goals as a Cabinet minister without portfolio would be "promoting coexistence between the two peoples inside the state, and promoting dialogue between the Palestinians and the Israelis toward negotiations and political agreement."
Majadele, a parliamentary backbencher from the centrist Labor Party, said his appointment is meant to give representation to Israel's Arabs, which make up about 20 percent of the country's 7 million citizens. He has predicted that in the future, every Israeli government will be obliged to include an Arab minister.
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By Matti Friedman
Associated Press Writer
January 29, 2007
CBNNews.com -- JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel was on the verge of installing the first Muslim Cabinet minister in its 58-year history Monday after the government overwhelmingly approved the appointment.
Parliament was scheduled to convene to give final approval to Raleb Majadele's appointment, which the government billed as a step toward equality for Muslim Arabs, Israel's largest minority.
The appointment was mired for weeks in political infighting and charges of racism. It drew criticism from hard-liners who said the move was little more than political expediency. Even Arab lawmakers dismissed the development, saying the government has little real interest in improving the lot of Israel's Arabs.
Majadele told Associated Press Television News that his goals as a Cabinet minister without portfolio would be "promoting coexistence between the two peoples inside the state, and promoting dialogue between the Palestinians and the Israelis toward negotiations and political agreement."
Majadele, a parliamentary backbencher from the centrist Labor Party, said his appointment is meant to give representation to Israel's Arabs, which make up about 20 percent of the country's 7 million citizens. He has predicted that in the future, every Israeli government will be obliged to include an Arab minister.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
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