Hit Christian Movie on a Mission
CBN News
CBNNews.com - Sports Illustrated called it one of the most inspirational movies of the year and now "Facing the Giants" is out on DVD.
It has been dubbed "the little movie that could" because of the positive message it sent to the nation and hollywood.
It's about a high school football coach who trusts God to do the impossible which He did in the movie.
Click here for the full story, and for a link to learn more about how the movie is being used to share Biblical principles for living.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
So Just What Is Iran Up to Anyway?
So Just What Is Iran Up to Anyway?
By John Jessup
CBN News
January 31, 2007
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON- The accusations against Iran are coming from the highest level of government and include some Iraqis, too.
On Capitol Hill, the man who's preparing to direct U.S. policy in Iraq for the State Department says Iran is making progress in Iraq difficult.
"We have increasing evidence that they have been providing lethal assistance to extremist Shia groups in that country," said John Negroponte, director of National Intelligence.
Iran denies those charges, but they're getting harder to escape.
This week, a top U.S. general in Iraq told USA Today Tehran is supplying militia groups with katyusha rockets, explosively formed projectiles, and rocket propelled grenades strong enough to pierce through armor. The military has been able to trace them back to Iran through serial numbers.
There's also a report that the attackers responsible for the deaths of five American soldiers in Karbala earlier this month may have been trained and financed by Iran.
Bush, in an interview with ABC News, said the U.S. will deal with Iran to protect U.S. forces in the region.
"Some are trying to take my words and say, 'Well, what he's really trying to do is go invade Iran.' Nobody's talking about that. All options are on the table, of course, in anything. But to say that defending ourselves in Iraq means that… has some greater goal is just simply not the case," said Bush.
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By John Jessup
CBN News
January 31, 2007
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON- The accusations against Iran are coming from the highest level of government and include some Iraqis, too.
On Capitol Hill, the man who's preparing to direct U.S. policy in Iraq for the State Department says Iran is making progress in Iraq difficult.
"We have increasing evidence that they have been providing lethal assistance to extremist Shia groups in that country," said John Negroponte, director of National Intelligence.
Iran denies those charges, but they're getting harder to escape.
This week, a top U.S. general in Iraq told USA Today Tehran is supplying militia groups with katyusha rockets, explosively formed projectiles, and rocket propelled grenades strong enough to pierce through armor. The military has been able to trace them back to Iran through serial numbers.
There's also a report that the attackers responsible for the deaths of five American soldiers in Karbala earlier this month may have been trained and financed by Iran.
Bush, in an interview with ABC News, said the U.S. will deal with Iran to protect U.S. forces in the region.
"Some are trying to take my words and say, 'Well, what he's really trying to do is go invade Iran.' Nobody's talking about that. All options are on the table, of course, in anything. But to say that defending ourselves in Iraq means that… has some greater goal is just simply not the case," said Bush.
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Minister believes he's Jesus incarnate
Note from Lighthouse:
Matthew 24:4-8
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:26-27
"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man...
*End of Note*
He Calls Himself God
A Puerto Rican minister says Christ 'integrated' with him. Others call him a cult leader and a charlatan.
By Arian Campo-Flores
Newsweek
Feb. 5, 2007 issue -
At first glance, the congregation gathered in a warehouse in Doral, Fla., seems like a typical Hispanic evangelical group. There's the 10-piece band, the singing and swaying, the whooping and hollering. But look a little more closely. There's not a cross in sight. The lectern is emblazoned with a near replica of the U.S. presidential seal, except that it reads in Spanish, government of god on earth. Off to the side stand three burly guys in dark suits with Secret Service-style earpieces. When a door by the stage opens, the guards leap into action. They surround the man with slicked-back hair who emerges and escort him to his seat. When the crowd spots him, it goes wild. People chant, "Lord! Lord! Lord!" It quickly becomes clear that they're referring to him. "It's Jesus Christ himself!" a preacher onstage announces. "Let's welcome Jesus Christ Man!"
In the rapturous eyes of his flock, Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is, in fact, the second coming of Christ. As the head of the Growing in Grace International Ministry, he presides over a sprawling organization that includes more than 300 congregations in two dozen countries, from Argentina to Australia. He counts more than 100,000 followers and claims to reach millions more through a 24-hour TV channel, a radio show and several Web sites. He is supported by the generosity of his devotees, who have launched some 450 businesses to pour cash into Growing in Grace's coffers. Though de Jesus' followers worship him, others denounce him as a charlatan. Everyone, however, agrees on one thing: his teachings are incendiary.
A native of Puerto Rico, de Jesus, 60, spent his youth drifting from the Roman Catholics to the Pentecostals to the Baptists. Then one night in 1973, he says, he awoke to a vision of two hulking men at his bedside who announced the arrival of the Lord, who, says de Jesus, "came to me and integrated with me." In the early years after founding Growing in Grace in Miami in 1986, de Jesus didn't claim to be Christ. Instead, he worked as a pastor spreading his doctrine: that under a new covenant with God, there is no sin and no Satan, and people are predestined to be saved. But as his following expanded, his claims did, too. In 1998, de Jesus avowed that he was the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. Two years ago at Growing in Grace's world convention in Venezuela, he declared himself Christ. And just last week, he called himself the Antichrist and revealed a "666" tattooed on his forearm. His explanation: that, as the second coming of Christ, he rejects the continued worship of Jesus of Nazareth.
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Matthew 24:4-8
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:26-27
"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man...
*End of Note*
He Calls Himself God
A Puerto Rican minister says Christ 'integrated' with him. Others call him a cult leader and a charlatan.
By Arian Campo-Flores
Newsweek
Feb. 5, 2007 issue -
At first glance, the congregation gathered in a warehouse in Doral, Fla., seems like a typical Hispanic evangelical group. There's the 10-piece band, the singing and swaying, the whooping and hollering. But look a little more closely. There's not a cross in sight. The lectern is emblazoned with a near replica of the U.S. presidential seal, except that it reads in Spanish, government of god on earth. Off to the side stand three burly guys in dark suits with Secret Service-style earpieces. When a door by the stage opens, the guards leap into action. They surround the man with slicked-back hair who emerges and escort him to his seat. When the crowd spots him, it goes wild. People chant, "Lord! Lord! Lord!" It quickly becomes clear that they're referring to him. "It's Jesus Christ himself!" a preacher onstage announces. "Let's welcome Jesus Christ Man!"
In the rapturous eyes of his flock, Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda is, in fact, the second coming of Christ. As the head of the Growing in Grace International Ministry, he presides over a sprawling organization that includes more than 300 congregations in two dozen countries, from Argentina to Australia. He counts more than 100,000 followers and claims to reach millions more through a 24-hour TV channel, a radio show and several Web sites. He is supported by the generosity of his devotees, who have launched some 450 businesses to pour cash into Growing in Grace's coffers. Though de Jesus' followers worship him, others denounce him as a charlatan. Everyone, however, agrees on one thing: his teachings are incendiary.
A native of Puerto Rico, de Jesus, 60, spent his youth drifting from the Roman Catholics to the Pentecostals to the Baptists. Then one night in 1973, he says, he awoke to a vision of two hulking men at his bedside who announced the arrival of the Lord, who, says de Jesus, "came to me and integrated with me." In the early years after founding Growing in Grace in Miami in 1986, de Jesus didn't claim to be Christ. Instead, he worked as a pastor spreading his doctrine: that under a new covenant with God, there is no sin and no Satan, and people are predestined to be saved. But as his following expanded, his claims did, too. In 1998, de Jesus avowed that he was the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. Two years ago at Growing in Grace's world convention in Venezuela, he declared himself Christ. And just last week, he called himself the Antichrist and revealed a "666" tattooed on his forearm. His explanation: that, as the second coming of Christ, he rejects the continued worship of Jesus of Nazareth.
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Iran celebrates revolution vowing nuclear advance
Iran celebrates revolution vowing nuclear advance
Jan 31 8:32 AM US/Eastern
Iran kicks off 10 days of celebrations on Thursday marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, with officials promising the unveiling of a major advance in its controversial nuclear drive.
The festivities known as the "Decade of Fajr" (Dawn) culminate on February 11, the date 28 years ago when the US-backed Shah's regime fell to revolutionaries led by the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already said he will announce "good news" about the development of the nation's nuclear programme during the anniversary celebrations.
Iran has defied the international community and vowed to press on with its nuclear work despite a UN resolution in December imposing sanctions over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.
Enrichment is the focus of Western fears that Tehran is seeking to build nuclear weapons as the process can make the fissile core of an atom bomb as well as nuclear fuel.
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Jan 31 8:32 AM US/Eastern
Iran kicks off 10 days of celebrations on Thursday marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, with officials promising the unveiling of a major advance in its controversial nuclear drive.
The festivities known as the "Decade of Fajr" (Dawn) culminate on February 11, the date 28 years ago when the US-backed Shah's regime fell to revolutionaries led by the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already said he will announce "good news" about the development of the nation's nuclear programme during the anniversary celebrations.
Iran has defied the international community and vowed to press on with its nuclear work despite a UN resolution in December imposing sanctions over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.
Enrichment is the focus of Western fears that Tehran is seeking to build nuclear weapons as the process can make the fissile core of an atom bomb as well as nuclear fuel.
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U.S. unveils evidence Iran fueling Iraq war
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
Agents on Tehran's payroll involved in death squads hold prominent positions in the U.S.-backed Iraqi government and National Assembly, according to an expert on Iran who broke the news about the country's nuclear weapons program.
Alireza Jafarzadeh, author of the new book "The Iran threat: President Ahmadinejad and the Coming Nuclear Crisis," said the efforts by Iran to place its agents in the Iraqi government form a part of Tehran's larger plan to export its revolution.
The U.S. is having such a difficult time winning the war, he said, because Iran is fueling the Iraqis with bombs and weapons that are killing American soldiers.
Tomorrow, Jafarzadeh noted, the U.S. ambassador to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, will hold a news conference to present a dossier of Iran's efforts to fuel sectarian violence in Iraq.
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Agents on Tehran's payroll involved in death squads hold prominent positions in the U.S.-backed Iraqi government and National Assembly, according to an expert on Iran who broke the news about the country's nuclear weapons program.
Alireza Jafarzadeh, author of the new book "The Iran threat: President Ahmadinejad and the Coming Nuclear Crisis," said the efforts by Iran to place its agents in the Iraqi government form a part of Tehran's larger plan to export its revolution.
The U.S. is having such a difficult time winning the war, he said, because Iran is fueling the Iraqis with bombs and weapons that are killing American soldiers.
Tomorrow, Jafarzadeh noted, the U.S. ambassador to Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, will hold a news conference to present a dossier of Iran's efforts to fuel sectarian violence in Iraq.
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Terrorist: We'll use U.S. weapons if Israel retaliates
Terrorist: We'll use U.S. weapons if Israel retaliates
Abbas-related group vows 'to use all tools at our disposal'
By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
TEL AVIV – If Israel retaliates for yesterday's suicide bombing with a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian groups will use "all tools" at their disposal to attack the Jewish state, including American weapons recently transferred to security forces associated with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah organization, a leader of Fatah's declared military wing told WND today.
"If Israel dares any major atrocities in Gaza in response to yesterday's martyrdom operation, we vow to use all tools at our disposal to attack Israel and prove to the Zionists the heavy price of entering Gaza," said Abu Ahmed, a northern Gaza leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror organization. "This means also the American weapons sent to Fatah as part of an American-Zionist conspiracy to generate internal fighting between us (Fatah) and Hamas."
The Brigades, the declared military wing of Fatah, took responsibility along with the Islamic Jihad terror group for yesterday's attack, which killed three people when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a bakery in the southern resort city of Eilat.
Many members of the Brigades also openly serve in Fatah's security organizations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier this month told reporters the U.S. is working with Fatah to create a unified Palestinian security force. The Bush administration reportedly will grant $86.4 million to strengthen the Fatah forces, including Force 17, Abbas' security detail, which also serves as de facto police units in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
The U.S. aid is meant to bolster Fatah, which the U.S. considers moderate, against Hamas. Fatah and Hamas have engaged in nearly two months of deadly factional clashes after Abbas called for new Palestinian elections in a move widely seen as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas-led PA.
WND reported the U.S. in recent weeks transferred 7,000 assault rifles and more than 1 million rounds of ammunition to Fatah militias.
The last confirmed American arms shipment to Fatah took place in May. At first, the shipment, consisting of 3,000 rifles, was denied by the U.S. and Israel, but Olmert in June admitted the transfer took place, telling reporters, "I needed to approve the shipment to help bolster Abbas."
At the time, Abu Yousuf, a Fatah militant from Abba's Force 17 security forces, told WND while some of the weapons may be used in confrontations against Hamas, the bulk of the American arms would be utilized to "hit the Zionists."
He said if there is a major conflict with Israel, U.S. weapons provided to Fatah may be shared with other "Palestinian resistance organizations."
"The first place of these U.S. weapons will be to defend the Palestinian national project, which is reflected by the foundation of the Palestinian Authority. If Hamas or any other group under the influence of Iran and Syria wants to make a coup de tat against our institution, these weapons are there to defend the PA," said Abu Yousuf.
"We don't want to go to civil war with Hamas, because this is what both the U.S. and Israel want. This is our last option. We hope our brothers in Hamas won't oblige us to find ourselves in confrontation," Abu Yousuf said.
But the Fatah militant said the new American weapons may also be used to target Israelis. He admitted previous American arms supplied to Fatah were used in "resistance operations" against the Jewish state.
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Abbas-related group vows 'to use all tools at our disposal'
By Aaron Klein
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
TEL AVIV – If Israel retaliates for yesterday's suicide bombing with a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian groups will use "all tools" at their disposal to attack the Jewish state, including American weapons recently transferred to security forces associated with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah organization, a leader of Fatah's declared military wing told WND today.
"If Israel dares any major atrocities in Gaza in response to yesterday's martyrdom operation, we vow to use all tools at our disposal to attack Israel and prove to the Zionists the heavy price of entering Gaza," said Abu Ahmed, a northern Gaza leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror organization. "This means also the American weapons sent to Fatah as part of an American-Zionist conspiracy to generate internal fighting between us (Fatah) and Hamas."
The Brigades, the declared military wing of Fatah, took responsibility along with the Islamic Jihad terror group for yesterday's attack, which killed three people when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a bakery in the southern resort city of Eilat.
Many members of the Brigades also openly serve in Fatah's security organizations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier this month told reporters the U.S. is working with Fatah to create a unified Palestinian security force. The Bush administration reportedly will grant $86.4 million to strengthen the Fatah forces, including Force 17, Abbas' security detail, which also serves as de facto police units in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
The U.S. aid is meant to bolster Fatah, which the U.S. considers moderate, against Hamas. Fatah and Hamas have engaged in nearly two months of deadly factional clashes after Abbas called for new Palestinian elections in a move widely seen as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas-led PA.
WND reported the U.S. in recent weeks transferred 7,000 assault rifles and more than 1 million rounds of ammunition to Fatah militias.
The last confirmed American arms shipment to Fatah took place in May. At first, the shipment, consisting of 3,000 rifles, was denied by the U.S. and Israel, but Olmert in June admitted the transfer took place, telling reporters, "I needed to approve the shipment to help bolster Abbas."
At the time, Abu Yousuf, a Fatah militant from Abba's Force 17 security forces, told WND while some of the weapons may be used in confrontations against Hamas, the bulk of the American arms would be utilized to "hit the Zionists."
He said if there is a major conflict with Israel, U.S. weapons provided to Fatah may be shared with other "Palestinian resistance organizations."
"The first place of these U.S. weapons will be to defend the Palestinian national project, which is reflected by the foundation of the Palestinian Authority. If Hamas or any other group under the influence of Iran and Syria wants to make a coup de tat against our institution, these weapons are there to defend the PA," said Abu Yousuf.
"We don't want to go to civil war with Hamas, because this is what both the U.S. and Israel want. This is our last option. We hope our brothers in Hamas won't oblige us to find ourselves in confrontation," Abu Yousuf said.
But the Fatah militant said the new American weapons may also be used to target Israelis. He admitted previous American arms supplied to Fatah were used in "resistance operations" against the Jewish state.
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Chavez to Get Powers to Remake Venezuela
Jan 31, 10:52 AM (ET)
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A Congress wholly loyal to President Hugo Chavez met at a downtown plaza Wednesday to give the Venezuelan leader authority to enact sweeping measures by presidential decree.
Hundreds of Chavez supporters wearing red - the color of Venezuela's ruling party - gathered in the plaza, waving signs reading "Socialism is democracy!" as lawmakers read out the proposed bill giving the president special powers for 18 months to transform 11 broadly defined areas, including the economy, energy and defense.
"The people of Venezuela, not just the National Assembly, are giving this enabling power to the president of the republic," said congresswoman Iris Varela, addressing the crowd next to the National Assembly.
Chavez, who is beginning a fresh six-year term, says the legislation will be the start of a new era of "maximum revolution" during which he will consolidate Venezuela's transformation into a socialist society. His critics, however, are calling it a radical lurch toward authoritarianism by a leader with unchecked power.
The former paratroop commander has already said he will use the law to decree nationalizations of Venezuela's largest telecommunications company and the electricity sector, slap new taxes on the rich and impose greater state control over the oil and natural gas industries.
A final draft of the law shows Chavez will also be allowed to dictate unspecified measures to transform state institutions; reform banking, tax, insurance and financial regulations; decide on security and defense matters such as gun regulations and military organization; and "adapt" legislation to ensure "the equal distribution of wealth" as part of a new "social and economic model."
Chavez also plans to reorganize regional territories and carry out reforms aimed at bringing "power to the people" through thousands of newly formed Communal Councils, in which Venezuelans will have a say on spending an increasing flow of state money on neighborhood projects from public housing to road repaving.
Lawmakers were scheduled to formally approve the law Wednesday in an outdoor session in Caracas' Plaza Bolivar, next to the National Assembly.
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By FABIOLA SANCHEZ
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A Congress wholly loyal to President Hugo Chavez met at a downtown plaza Wednesday to give the Venezuelan leader authority to enact sweeping measures by presidential decree.
Hundreds of Chavez supporters wearing red - the color of Venezuela's ruling party - gathered in the plaza, waving signs reading "Socialism is democracy!" as lawmakers read out the proposed bill giving the president special powers for 18 months to transform 11 broadly defined areas, including the economy, energy and defense.
"The people of Venezuela, not just the National Assembly, are giving this enabling power to the president of the republic," said congresswoman Iris Varela, addressing the crowd next to the National Assembly.
Chavez, who is beginning a fresh six-year term, says the legislation will be the start of a new era of "maximum revolution" during which he will consolidate Venezuela's transformation into a socialist society. His critics, however, are calling it a radical lurch toward authoritarianism by a leader with unchecked power.
The former paratroop commander has already said he will use the law to decree nationalizations of Venezuela's largest telecommunications company and the electricity sector, slap new taxes on the rich and impose greater state control over the oil and natural gas industries.
A final draft of the law shows Chavez will also be allowed to dictate unspecified measures to transform state institutions; reform banking, tax, insurance and financial regulations; decide on security and defense matters such as gun regulations and military organization; and "adapt" legislation to ensure "the equal distribution of wealth" as part of a new "social and economic model."
Chavez also plans to reorganize regional territories and carry out reforms aimed at bringing "power to the people" through thousands of newly formed Communal Councils, in which Venezuelans will have a say on spending an increasing flow of state money on neighborhood projects from public housing to road repaving.
Lawmakers were scheduled to formally approve the law Wednesday in an outdoor session in Caracas' Plaza Bolivar, next to the National Assembly.
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Funerals not for shouting slogans, judge says
Funerals not for shouting slogans, judge says
Request for injunction to allow protests to continue rejected
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 31, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A federal judge in Missouri has ruled that a church whose members believe God is judging America by having her soldiers killed in war cannot shout those beliefs at memorial services for U.S. servicemen and women.
The ruling came on a request for a preliminary injunction in a case brought by a member of that organization, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., against the state of Missouri, which earlier adopted a law banning protests within an hour before and after such a memorial service.
Judicial Watch, the Washington group focused on more transparency in government, had filed a brief in the case, and its chief, Tom Fitton, told WND that Missouri's restrictions on protests at funerals were "appropriate."
"The question we were trying to address is whether it is appropriate for states to regulate, to protect the rights of these families to have these funerals of fallen service family members conducted in peace," he said.
Several other states also have enacted similar laws, because of the Westboro protests. That group, founded in the 1950s, believes that God is judging America because of the nation's acceptance of homosexuality.
It has used funerals of homosexuals to stage its protests and gained famed because of its "God Hates Fags" posters around events that followed the beating death of Mathew Shepard, a homosexual student at the University of Wyoming who was attacked and beaten.
More recently, Westboro has protested at the funerals of fallen military members, saying their deaths are a judgment on America.
Judicial Watch had argued against the demand made by Westboro that the state of Missouri be ordered not to enforce its statute limiting protests "in or about" the funeral services.
The court order, from U.S. District Judge Fernando Gaitan, Jr., said the plaintiff in the case, Shirley Phelps-Roper, had not demonstrated that the restriction was violating her constitutional rights.
"The court order … essentially adopts Judicial Watch's argument that Missouri's 'funeral protection law' is well-grounded in Eighth Circuit judicial precedents and is consistent with the U.S. Constitution," said Judicial Watch. "Moreover, Judge Gaitan specifically cites Judicial Watch's amicus brief concern the right of family members and friends of those killed in battle to mourn their loss."
"The judge writes: '… amicus Judicial Watch notes that Missouri also has an interest in protecting funeral attendees' First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion.'"
"We're pleased the court seems to recognize the right of funeral attendees to mourn those who died defending our country without being disrupted by protesters," Fitton said. "Unlike the ACLU, most Americans believe that mourners should be able to engage in quiet and reflective prayer at funerals.
"As the court noted, '…picketing soldiers' funerals and belittling the sacrifices made by soldiers are intolerable actions…,'" he said.
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Request for injunction to allow protests to continue rejected
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 31, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
A federal judge in Missouri has ruled that a church whose members believe God is judging America by having her soldiers killed in war cannot shout those beliefs at memorial services for U.S. servicemen and women.
The ruling came on a request for a preliminary injunction in a case brought by a member of that organization, the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., against the state of Missouri, which earlier adopted a law banning protests within an hour before and after such a memorial service.
Judicial Watch, the Washington group focused on more transparency in government, had filed a brief in the case, and its chief, Tom Fitton, told WND that Missouri's restrictions on protests at funerals were "appropriate."
"The question we were trying to address is whether it is appropriate for states to regulate, to protect the rights of these families to have these funerals of fallen service family members conducted in peace," he said.
Several other states also have enacted similar laws, because of the Westboro protests. That group, founded in the 1950s, believes that God is judging America because of the nation's acceptance of homosexuality.
It has used funerals of homosexuals to stage its protests and gained famed because of its "God Hates Fags" posters around events that followed the beating death of Mathew Shepard, a homosexual student at the University of Wyoming who was attacked and beaten.
More recently, Westboro has protested at the funerals of fallen military members, saying their deaths are a judgment on America.
Judicial Watch had argued against the demand made by Westboro that the state of Missouri be ordered not to enforce its statute limiting protests "in or about" the funeral services.
The court order, from U.S. District Judge Fernando Gaitan, Jr., said the plaintiff in the case, Shirley Phelps-Roper, had not demonstrated that the restriction was violating her constitutional rights.
"The court order … essentially adopts Judicial Watch's argument that Missouri's 'funeral protection law' is well-grounded in Eighth Circuit judicial precedents and is consistent with the U.S. Constitution," said Judicial Watch. "Moreover, Judge Gaitan specifically cites Judicial Watch's amicus brief concern the right of family members and friends of those killed in battle to mourn their loss."
"The judge writes: '… amicus Judicial Watch notes that Missouri also has an interest in protecting funeral attendees' First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion.'"
"We're pleased the court seems to recognize the right of funeral attendees to mourn those who died defending our country without being disrupted by protesters," Fitton said. "Unlike the ACLU, most Americans believe that mourners should be able to engage in quiet and reflective prayer at funerals.
"As the court noted, '…picketing soldiers' funerals and belittling the sacrifices made by soldiers are intolerable actions…,'" he said.
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7 Large Tunnels Beneath U.S.-Mexican Border Raising Security Concerns
7 Large Tunnels Beneath U.S.-Mexican Border Raising Security Concerns
SAN DIEGO — While key entrance and exit points have been plugged in some of the biggest tunnels used to ferry people and drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border, the passageways remain largely intact raising concerns smugglers reuse them, according to a published report.
In recent years, dozens of tunnels have been discovered running under the border. The smaller, more crudely constructed passages are easily destroyed, authorities say. But the larger, more elaborate tunnels require enormous amounts of material and expertise to fill.
The task to jam up an entire route also is costly and sometimes complicated if the tunnels run under private property, authorities say.
According to a report in Tuesday's Los Angeles Times, seven of the largest tunnels discovered under the U.S.-Mexico border have yet to be filled in, including the so-called Grande Tunnel found in January 2006 that extends nearly half a mile from San Diego to Tijuana.
Filling those tunnels would cost about $2.7 million, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, the newspaper said.
Michael Friel, an agency spokesman, said the department is trying to find money in its budget to complete the work. But critics say the unfilled tunnels pose an unnecessary national security risk.
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SAN DIEGO — While key entrance and exit points have been plugged in some of the biggest tunnels used to ferry people and drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border, the passageways remain largely intact raising concerns smugglers reuse them, according to a published report.
In recent years, dozens of tunnels have been discovered running under the border. The smaller, more crudely constructed passages are easily destroyed, authorities say. But the larger, more elaborate tunnels require enormous amounts of material and expertise to fill.
The task to jam up an entire route also is costly and sometimes complicated if the tunnels run under private property, authorities say.
According to a report in Tuesday's Los Angeles Times, seven of the largest tunnels discovered under the U.S.-Mexico border have yet to be filled in, including the so-called Grande Tunnel found in January 2006 that extends nearly half a mile from San Diego to Tijuana.
Filling those tunnels would cost about $2.7 million, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, the newspaper said.
Michael Friel, an agency spokesman, said the department is trying to find money in its budget to complete the work. But critics say the unfilled tunnels pose an unnecessary national security risk.
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Terrorists sought to blackmail Blair
Blair blackmail terror bid foiled
By GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON
Political Editor
JANUARY 31, 2007
EVIL Muslim terrorists were to kidnap a British soldier on UK streets and force him to plead with Tony Blair for his life in return for a pull-out of troops from Iraq, The Sun can reveal.
The soldier would have been filmed begging the PM to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan in a sick propaganda stunt.
Army sources said the target was a British Muslim soldier in his 20s.
He would eventually be beheaded on film in a sick mirror of the torture and savage killing of British hostage Ken Bigley if Mr Blair refused.
Senior security sources say the plot would have put the most unbearable blackmail pressure on the Premier to act.
It would also have sent shockwaves through the entire British Armed Forces - putting the fear of God into every man and woman in uniform on or off duty.
The fact that the arrests were made in Birmingham could suggest that soldiers recovering from wounds in military hospitals there might have been targeted.
But sources say they cannot be sure of this - and are also investigating leads that a serviceman could have been picked up by the kidnappers anywhere on the mainland.
One well-placed source said: "This plot represents a staggering change of tactic.
"We have all been braced for more mainland bombs which claim many lives and cause turmoil and widespread public fear.
"This would have taken things to a new dimension. The pressure on the PM would have been unimagineable.
"And there would have been a knock-on effect in terms of military morale."
Britain's service personnel take security precautions when off duty in and around their barracks and married quarters.
But in recent years it has become common practice for them to live off their bases in normal houses along side civilians.
The demise of the IRA threat on mainland Britain means they have been allowed to be more relaxed.
Now there will be increased security measures imposed on all servicemen and women to be on their guard.
The cunning plot represents a huge change in tactics by al Qaeda and its supporters.
It proves beyond doubt that terrorist cells are active in mainland Britain - just as MI5 boss Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller warned before Christmas.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
By GEORGE PASCOE-WATSON
Political Editor
JANUARY 31, 2007
EVIL Muslim terrorists were to kidnap a British soldier on UK streets and force him to plead with Tony Blair for his life in return for a pull-out of troops from Iraq, The Sun can reveal.
The soldier would have been filmed begging the PM to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan in a sick propaganda stunt.
Army sources said the target was a British Muslim soldier in his 20s.
He would eventually be beheaded on film in a sick mirror of the torture and savage killing of British hostage Ken Bigley if Mr Blair refused.
Senior security sources say the plot would have put the most unbearable blackmail pressure on the Premier to act.
It would also have sent shockwaves through the entire British Armed Forces - putting the fear of God into every man and woman in uniform on or off duty.
The fact that the arrests were made in Birmingham could suggest that soldiers recovering from wounds in military hospitals there might have been targeted.
But sources say they cannot be sure of this - and are also investigating leads that a serviceman could have been picked up by the kidnappers anywhere on the mainland.
One well-placed source said: "This plot represents a staggering change of tactic.
"We have all been braced for more mainland bombs which claim many lives and cause turmoil and widespread public fear.
"This would have taken things to a new dimension. The pressure on the PM would have been unimagineable.
"And there would have been a knock-on effect in terms of military morale."
Britain's service personnel take security precautions when off duty in and around their barracks and married quarters.
But in recent years it has become common practice for them to live off their bases in normal houses along side civilians.
The demise of the IRA threat on mainland Britain means they have been allowed to be more relaxed.
Now there will be increased security measures imposed on all servicemen and women to be on their guard.
The cunning plot represents a huge change in tactics by al Qaeda and its supporters.
It proves beyond doubt that terrorist cells are active in mainland Britain - just as MI5 boss Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller warned before Christmas.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
Let the porn flow, says public library
Let the porn flow, says public library
Officials reject request from families to limit open view of X-rated images
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 31, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
While pornography itself doesn't "shoot the bullet" for sex crimes, it does "cock the trigger," and Sacramento officials who supervise their public library system have told porn addicts to go ahead and get loaded.
The Sacramento Public Library Authority Board has decided against protecting library users from explicit pornography, a move lawyers at the Pacific Justice Institute had asked them to take, and which may, in fact, violate the library's own Internet guidelines.
"The present policy is to require filters on the computers," Brad Dacus, chief of the PJI, told WND. "However, all that is needed to have access to pornography is for an adult to request that the filters be removed."
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
Officials reject request from families to limit open view of X-rated images
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: January 31, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
While pornography itself doesn't "shoot the bullet" for sex crimes, it does "cock the trigger," and Sacramento officials who supervise their public library system have told porn addicts to go ahead and get loaded.
The Sacramento Public Library Authority Board has decided against protecting library users from explicit pornography, a move lawyers at the Pacific Justice Institute had asked them to take, and which may, in fact, violate the library's own Internet guidelines.
"The present policy is to require filters on the computers," Brad Dacus, chief of the PJI, told WND. "However, all that is needed to have access to pornography is for an adult to request that the filters be removed."
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
Colts chaplain partners with Dungy in imparting the faith
Colts chaplain partners with Dungy in imparting the faith
By Art Stricklin
Baptist Press
MIAMI (BP)--Pastor Ken Johnson has overcome the roughest of family situations and personal demons to become a minister, work for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serve as the chaplain for the Indianapolis Colts.
He has seen firsthand the wonders and changes God can bring to any situation. But when he got a phone call from a person identifying himself as newly hired Colts head coach Tony Dungy, Johnson was convinced it was a prank, not God’s answer to a prayer.
“I have a good friend and we’re always playing jokes on each other. A few days after he was hired, I got a call from Tony Dungy saying he wanted to meet me,” Johnson recounted. “No coach had ever wanted to meet me, so I thought my friend was pulling my leg.
“Then Tony said he wanted to visit with me in the prisons, and I said, ‘Who is this, really?’ because no coach had ever visited in the prisons with me.”
Since Dungy was hired by the Colts in 2002, he has joined with Johnson to form one of the most active and public Christian ministries in the coaching profession.
“The first time he called me to his office, he asked me to pray for him and bless his office that God would be honored,” Johnson said.
“He is the real deal. He is going to respect everyone, but he is going to do everything in his power to be a Christ-like person.”
The same can be said of Johnson, who chronicled the challenges he endured growing up in a drug-filled and dysfunctional household in his book, “Journey to Excellence.”
Johnson was a high school football star in Texas and was a teammate at the University of Tulsa with a man who later would become the Bears head coach in Super Bowl XLI -- Lovie Smith. After college, Johnson spent time as a police office before rededicating his life to the Lord in 1982 and joining the Indianapolis FCA chapter as the urban outreach leader. He began working with the Colts shortly thereafter.
Johnson said his work has prospered since Dungy’s arrival. “We had some tough years,” he acknowledged, “but I believe God will give favor to all people who honor Him.”
“… [K]ids look up to you,” Johnson added, “and you have to proclaim the Gospel whenever you can.”
Willing to lovingly confront players who are going the wrong way, Johnson once paid a cover charge at an Indianapolis strip club to retrieve a Colts player who was inside.
“I just told him he was better than this and he needed to come with me.”
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
By Art Stricklin
Baptist Press
MIAMI (BP)--Pastor Ken Johnson has overcome the roughest of family situations and personal demons to become a minister, work for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serve as the chaplain for the Indianapolis Colts.
He has seen firsthand the wonders and changes God can bring to any situation. But when he got a phone call from a person identifying himself as newly hired Colts head coach Tony Dungy, Johnson was convinced it was a prank, not God’s answer to a prayer.
“I have a good friend and we’re always playing jokes on each other. A few days after he was hired, I got a call from Tony Dungy saying he wanted to meet me,” Johnson recounted. “No coach had ever wanted to meet me, so I thought my friend was pulling my leg.
“Then Tony said he wanted to visit with me in the prisons, and I said, ‘Who is this, really?’ because no coach had ever visited in the prisons with me.”
Since Dungy was hired by the Colts in 2002, he has joined with Johnson to form one of the most active and public Christian ministries in the coaching profession.
“The first time he called me to his office, he asked me to pray for him and bless his office that God would be honored,” Johnson said.
“He is the real deal. He is going to respect everyone, but he is going to do everything in his power to be a Christ-like person.”
The same can be said of Johnson, who chronicled the challenges he endured growing up in a drug-filled and dysfunctional household in his book, “Journey to Excellence.”
Johnson was a high school football star in Texas and was a teammate at the University of Tulsa with a man who later would become the Bears head coach in Super Bowl XLI -- Lovie Smith. After college, Johnson spent time as a police office before rededicating his life to the Lord in 1982 and joining the Indianapolis FCA chapter as the urban outreach leader. He began working with the Colts shortly thereafter.
Johnson said his work has prospered since Dungy’s arrival. “We had some tough years,” he acknowledged, “but I believe God will give favor to all people who honor Him.”
“… [K]ids look up to you,” Johnson added, “and you have to proclaim the Gospel whenever you can.”
Willing to lovingly confront players who are going the wrong way, Johnson once paid a cover charge at an Indianapolis strip club to retrieve a Colts player who was inside.
“I just told him he was better than this and he needed to come with me.”
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
Chicago Bears’ Lovie Smith underscores his faith
Chicago Bears’ Lovie Smith underscores his faith
By Art Stricklin
Baptist Press
MIAMI (BP)--Lovie Smith had a limited amount of time during his Super Bowl XLI media session Monday, but the Chicago Bears head coach said he could spend hours talking about his star players and their efforts to get the team to their first Super Bowl berth in 21 years.
Smith also wanted to spend part of his allotted time talking about what was most important in his life, his faith in Jesus Christ.
“God is the center of my life. It controls all that I do. I hope I don’t have to spend my time telling my players I’m a Christian. I hope they see it in my life every day,” Smith said.
Since taking the helm of the Bears in 2004 -- his first head coaching job in the NFL -- he has led his team to back-to-back division titles and, now, to this year’s NFL championship game.
And he has done it in the same faith-based style of his close friend, mentor and opposing Super Bowl coach Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts.
“I could spend the rest of the day talking about Tony Dungy and what he means to me,” Smith told a ballroom full of media reps. “We have similar beliefs, and to see him go through the storms and see he’s the same person is truly encouraging.
“I’m happy we can to lead our teams to the Super Bowl. I’ve learned a lot from Tony Dungy.”
Smith grew up in a Christian home in the small east Texas town of Big Sandy, going to church regularly with his mother, his brothers and sisters.
“My mother always made sure we went to church and knew about the Lord. My faith has been with me all the time and I knew I needed God to be a part of my life,” he recounted.
Smith’s father battled alcoholism most of his life, which led his son never to drink, and his mom always emphasized to him the need for a clean mouth and a pure heart.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
By Art Stricklin
Baptist Press
MIAMI (BP)--Lovie Smith had a limited amount of time during his Super Bowl XLI media session Monday, but the Chicago Bears head coach said he could spend hours talking about his star players and their efforts to get the team to their first Super Bowl berth in 21 years.
Smith also wanted to spend part of his allotted time talking about what was most important in his life, his faith in Jesus Christ.
“God is the center of my life. It controls all that I do. I hope I don’t have to spend my time telling my players I’m a Christian. I hope they see it in my life every day,” Smith said.
Since taking the helm of the Bears in 2004 -- his first head coaching job in the NFL -- he has led his team to back-to-back division titles and, now, to this year’s NFL championship game.
And he has done it in the same faith-based style of his close friend, mentor and opposing Super Bowl coach Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts.
“I could spend the rest of the day talking about Tony Dungy and what he means to me,” Smith told a ballroom full of media reps. “We have similar beliefs, and to see him go through the storms and see he’s the same person is truly encouraging.
“I’m happy we can to lead our teams to the Super Bowl. I’ve learned a lot from Tony Dungy.”
Smith grew up in a Christian home in the small east Texas town of Big Sandy, going to church regularly with his mother, his brothers and sisters.
“My mother always made sure we went to church and knew about the Lord. My faith has been with me all the time and I knew I needed God to be a part of my life,” he recounted.
Smith’s father battled alcoholism most of his life, which led his son never to drink, and his mom always emphasized to him the need for a clean mouth and a pure heart.
Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)
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