Vandalism is a hate crime, nativity defender suggests
Catholic leader cites 'devil horns' put on baby Jesus figure
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Posted: December 22, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
A prominent Catholic leader says a rolling wave of vandalism to nativity scenes across the country this year isn't really vandalism: it's a series of hate crimes.
"The vandals in Norwalk, Connecticut, gave us an idea," said Catholic League President William Donohue. "Not only did they trash a nativity scene, they wrote profanity and drew satanic symbols on one of the figures. This isn't the act of some crazy drunks – it is the act of hate-filled persons."
There have been dozens, perhaps hundreds, of incidents of damage to nativity displays this Christmas season, officials have confirmed. "Some of these attacks were clearly motivated by malice," Donohoe continue. "The baby Jesus figure stolen in Plaistow, N.H., was later returned, having been defiled by a pair of devil horns. In Sioux Falls, S.D., someone crushed the face of the statue of Jesus.
"What's worse, the creep in Des Moines, Iowa, burned Jesus' face, doused the statue with red nail polish, and twisted the electrical cord around its neck," he said.
He said his organization has tabulated nearly four dozen attacks on the Christian holiday displays.
So far, under the Catholic League's compilation, there have been thefts from or vandalism on nativity scenes in Tucson, Ariz. ; Millbrae, Calif.; Mission Viejo, Calif; Moorpark, Calif; San Francisco, Calif; Naugatuck, Conn.; Waterbury, Conn. (Jesus was taken, but one of the arms was left behind); Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux City, Iowa; Ammon, Idaho; Chicago, Ill. (32 figures of baby Jesus were nabbed—they were later dumped on the lawn of a Catholic church); Jackson County, Ill. (two incidents); Tinley Park, Ill.; Floyd County, Ind.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Montgomery County, Ind.; Wichita, Kan.; Hardin, Ky.; Lafayette, La. (two incidents); Youngsville, La.; Fitchburg, Mass.; Southborough, Mass.; Winthrop, Maine; Portage Township, Mich.; Fayettville, N.C.; New Bern, N.C.; Columbus, Neb. (12 baby Jesus figures were stolen in one day); Plaistow, N.H.; Dover, Ohio; Utica, Ohio (three incidents); Artemis, Pa.; Bucks County, Pa.; Greenfield, Pa.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Halom City, Texas; Santa Fe, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Winfield, W.Va. and West Allis, Wis.
Some of the cases have been straightforward to solve. In Kansas, for example, a member of a pro-life organization had placed a nativity display on a strip of public land near the clinic of late-term abortionist George Tiller, and one of his workers found it "offensive" and moved it behind fence on the clinic's property.
Others remain under investigation by police, including a case in Draper, Utah. There reporters were told a picture of King Herod was taped to the nativity scene, blindfolds were put on Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus was stolen.
An accompanying note said, "King Herod has taken your baby Jesus," Pastor Harry Berg of Draper Friends Christian Church, said.
Police there are investigating it as a hate crime.
Donohue said the "hooligan" who stole a manger in Southborough, Mass., left the surrounding secular decorations untouched.
"In a few days it will be Christmas, and I imagine that, in your homes, you are putting the final touches to your nativity scenes, which are such an evocative depiction of Christmas," said Pope Benedict XVI in a statement. "I hope that this important element, not only of our spirituality but also of our culture and art, may endure as a simple and eloquent way to remember the One Who came 'to dwell among us.'"
There's even a LordNapping.com website for those who take baby Jesus figurines.
The site argues that the thefts should be celebrated and seen as acts of liberation – as long as the statues are placed in an inn for Christmas.
Authorities are using unusual methods to punish those who taken the statues, too. In Ohio, Brian Patrick and Jessica Lange, each 19, had been ordered to lead a donkey through the town of Fairport Harber after they admitted defacing a statue of baby Jesus from a nativity at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.
Police there said in that case the baby Jesus was stabbed and the numerals "666" were painted on it.
In one town a 70-year-old grandmother stole the infant Jesus on a lark.
The Catholic League is the nation's biggest Catholic civil rights organization, and defends individual Catholics and the institutional church from defamation and discrimination.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Hamas threatens attacks on U.S.
Hamas threatens attacks on U.S.
Terrorist warns 'Middle East is full of American targets'
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Posted: December 22, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Aaron Klein
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
TEL AVIV – Members of Hamas are debating whether to carry out attacks against the United States and may hit American targets if the U.S. continues to support Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' call for new elections, Hamas leaders told WND in a series of interviews.
"There is no doubt that Abu Mazen (Abbas) was encouraged to decide early elections after receiving American promises to support him politically and military," Abu Abdullah, a leader of Hamas' Izzedine al-Qassam Martyrs Brigades, the group's declared "resistance" department, told WND.
The terror leader accused the U.S. of instigating a Palestinian civil war.
"Here the Americans did not support the elections, they actually gave their support and their encouragement to a Palestinian civil war. It is our duty to prove to the Americans that they chose the wrong policy exactly like it is the case in Iraq," said Abu Abdullah, considered one of the most important operational members of Hamas' so-called military wing.
Abu Abdullah told WND Hamas has not yet decided to attack the U.S., "but one cannot guarantee that this will be the situation if the conspiracy of chasing our government succeeds."
Asked which U.S. targets Hamas would hit, Abu Abdullah replied, "Do you think that I can give you an answer to this question? I can say that the Middle East is full of American targets and the world has had the occasion to learn what are the weapons of the anti-American forces in the region."
In a move widely seen as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas-led government, Abbas' this past weekend called for new Palestinian elections, prompting violent clashes in the Gaza Strip between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah party.
Hamas, which won parliamentary elections in January, has threatened to boycott the proposed new elections, calling them "illegitimate."
Hamas-Fatah clashes in Gaza have killed at least 16 Palestinians the past five days.
According to multiple reports, the U.S. has been arming and training Fatah militants to bolster them in clashes against Hamas.
A number of Hamas members, including Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, have claimed in recent days Abbas' call for new elections was orchestrated with the U.S.
Meetings held to debate attacks on U.S.
Several Hamas leaders told WND meetings were held in recent weeks in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to discuss the possibility of targeting the U.S. due to its perceived support of Fatah against Hamas.
Abu Abdullah told WND Hamas' political decision for now is to try to convince the international community, including the U.S., they must "recognize and respect the democratic choices of the Palestinian people and to respect its government."
But, he said, if new elections indeed are held, "I would not be surprised if a change takes place in our present policy regarding attacks against American targets in the region."
"We are saying that in case of a scenario where elections are something concrete and not a political threat like it seems to be now, there is a real possibility that resistance forces in the region will hit American targets. The U.S. is maintaining its support to the idea of the elections and so is the American servant (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair," Abu Abdullah said.
Abbas yesterday said a national unity government between his party and Hamas was still possible, but that for now he was forging ahead with his call for new elections. As PA president, he has the authority to order new ballots.
After almost a week of fighting that saw top members of both factions targeted, Fatah and Hamas yesterday agreed to a truce and began withdrawing militants from the streets. But hours after the cease-fire was declared, Hamas gunmen killed two Fatah police officers, sparking a new round of clashes.
Experts: Hamas capable of attacks inside U.S.
While the latest Hamas threats warned of attacks against American interests in the region, some terrorism experts and senior security officials previously told WND Hamas has cells inside the U.S. that are technically capable of attacking within the country.
"We have information Hamas agents have been on U.S. soil the past few years and that the group may currently have up to 100 agents operating inside America," an FBI counterterrorism agent in New York told WND last October.
The comments reaffirm earlier testimony to the U.S. Senate in which FBI Director Robert Mueller stated, "Although it would be a major strategic shift for Hamas, its United States network is theoretically capable of facilitating acts of terrorism in the United States."
Mueller last February described a Hamas network the FBI believes may be operating in the U.S. mostly for fundraising purposes. While many suspected Hamas-linked charities such as the national Holy Land Foundation have been shut down, the FBI suspects others are still functioning in the U.S.
Holy Land, once one of the largest Islamic charitable organizations in the U.S., closed amid accusations the group was a front for Hamas.
Intelligence sources said the FBI believes Hamas' current U.S. network includes trained jihadists capable of carrying out advanced attacks. Some of the Hamas agents are suspected of involvement with al-Qaida, the sources said.
Yehudit Barsky, director of the Middle East and International Terrorism Center at the American Jewish Committee, said, "Hamas does have people in America who are Muslim Brotherhood-oriented who support Hamas and who could carry out attacks. ... This presence in the U.S. exists."
Terrorism expert Steve Emerson, whose research was credited with helping to close Holy Land, told WND, "Hamas has an extensive infrastructure in the U.S. mostly revolving around the activities of fundraising, recruiting and training members, directing operations against Israel, organizing political support and operating through human-rights front groups. While Hamas has not acted outside Israel, it has the capability of carrying out attacks in America if it decided to enlarge the scope of its operations."
There have been previous indications Hamas indeed has agents operating inside the U.S.
In August 2004, Ismail Selim Elbarasse, a long-time Hamas money man, was arrested reportedly after authorities witnessed his wife videotaping Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Bridge from their SUV as Elbarasse drove. The images captured by Mr. Elbarasse's wife included close-ups of cables and other features "integral to the structural integrity of the bridge," according to court papers.
In an FBI affidavit requesting a search warrant for Elbarasse's house obtained by WND, special FBI agent Shawn Devroude states, "In previous years, al-Qaida commanders and officials stationed in Western countries, including the United States, have recruited Hamas operatives and volunteers to carry out reconnaissance or serve as couriers.
"With the increased law enforcement pressure since 9-11, there has been a renewed emphasis by al-Qaida to find confirmed jihadist supporters in the U.S. by trying to enlist proven members of other groups such as Hamas to make up for the vacuum on the field level."
Also in August 2004, two suspected high-level Hamas operatives, Mohammed Salah and Abdelhaleem Ashqar, were detained in the U.S. and charged with providing material support to Hamas, racketeering and money laundering.
Ashqar, under house arrest in Virginia, denied to WND he was involved with Hamas fundraising and claimed doesn't know of any Hamas networks operating in America.
In November 2003, Jamal Aqal, a Canadian immigrant born in Gaza, was arrested in Israel under suspicion of receiving weapons and explosives training from Hamas for use in future terror attacks in Canada and New York City. Aqal pleaded guilty in 2004 to planning to kill American and Canadian Jewish leaders and Israeli officials traveling in the U.S.
Terrorist warns 'Middle East is full of American targets'
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Posted: December 22, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Aaron Klein
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
TEL AVIV – Members of Hamas are debating whether to carry out attacks against the United States and may hit American targets if the U.S. continues to support Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' call for new elections, Hamas leaders told WND in a series of interviews.
"There is no doubt that Abu Mazen (Abbas) was encouraged to decide early elections after receiving American promises to support him politically and military," Abu Abdullah, a leader of Hamas' Izzedine al-Qassam Martyrs Brigades, the group's declared "resistance" department, told WND.
The terror leader accused the U.S. of instigating a Palestinian civil war.
"Here the Americans did not support the elections, they actually gave their support and their encouragement to a Palestinian civil war. It is our duty to prove to the Americans that they chose the wrong policy exactly like it is the case in Iraq," said Abu Abdullah, considered one of the most important operational members of Hamas' so-called military wing.
Abu Abdullah told WND Hamas has not yet decided to attack the U.S., "but one cannot guarantee that this will be the situation if the conspiracy of chasing our government succeeds."
Asked which U.S. targets Hamas would hit, Abu Abdullah replied, "Do you think that I can give you an answer to this question? I can say that the Middle East is full of American targets and the world has had the occasion to learn what are the weapons of the anti-American forces in the region."
In a move widely seen as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas-led government, Abbas' this past weekend called for new Palestinian elections, prompting violent clashes in the Gaza Strip between Hamas and Abbas' Fatah party.
Hamas, which won parliamentary elections in January, has threatened to boycott the proposed new elections, calling them "illegitimate."
Hamas-Fatah clashes in Gaza have killed at least 16 Palestinians the past five days.
According to multiple reports, the U.S. has been arming and training Fatah militants to bolster them in clashes against Hamas.
A number of Hamas members, including Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, have claimed in recent days Abbas' call for new elections was orchestrated with the U.S.
Meetings held to debate attacks on U.S.
Several Hamas leaders told WND meetings were held in recent weeks in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to discuss the possibility of targeting the U.S. due to its perceived support of Fatah against Hamas.
Abu Abdullah told WND Hamas' political decision for now is to try to convince the international community, including the U.S., they must "recognize and respect the democratic choices of the Palestinian people and to respect its government."
But, he said, if new elections indeed are held, "I would not be surprised if a change takes place in our present policy regarding attacks against American targets in the region."
"We are saying that in case of a scenario where elections are something concrete and not a political threat like it seems to be now, there is a real possibility that resistance forces in the region will hit American targets. The U.S. is maintaining its support to the idea of the elections and so is the American servant (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair," Abu Abdullah said.
Abbas yesterday said a national unity government between his party and Hamas was still possible, but that for now he was forging ahead with his call for new elections. As PA president, he has the authority to order new ballots.
After almost a week of fighting that saw top members of both factions targeted, Fatah and Hamas yesterday agreed to a truce and began withdrawing militants from the streets. But hours after the cease-fire was declared, Hamas gunmen killed two Fatah police officers, sparking a new round of clashes.
Experts: Hamas capable of attacks inside U.S.
While the latest Hamas threats warned of attacks against American interests in the region, some terrorism experts and senior security officials previously told WND Hamas has cells inside the U.S. that are technically capable of attacking within the country.
"We have information Hamas agents have been on U.S. soil the past few years and that the group may currently have up to 100 agents operating inside America," an FBI counterterrorism agent in New York told WND last October.
The comments reaffirm earlier testimony to the U.S. Senate in which FBI Director Robert Mueller stated, "Although it would be a major strategic shift for Hamas, its United States network is theoretically capable of facilitating acts of terrorism in the United States."
Mueller last February described a Hamas network the FBI believes may be operating in the U.S. mostly for fundraising purposes. While many suspected Hamas-linked charities such as the national Holy Land Foundation have been shut down, the FBI suspects others are still functioning in the U.S.
Holy Land, once one of the largest Islamic charitable organizations in the U.S., closed amid accusations the group was a front for Hamas.
Intelligence sources said the FBI believes Hamas' current U.S. network includes trained jihadists capable of carrying out advanced attacks. Some of the Hamas agents are suspected of involvement with al-Qaida, the sources said.
Yehudit Barsky, director of the Middle East and International Terrorism Center at the American Jewish Committee, said, "Hamas does have people in America who are Muslim Brotherhood-oriented who support Hamas and who could carry out attacks. ... This presence in the U.S. exists."
Terrorism expert Steve Emerson, whose research was credited with helping to close Holy Land, told WND, "Hamas has an extensive infrastructure in the U.S. mostly revolving around the activities of fundraising, recruiting and training members, directing operations against Israel, organizing political support and operating through human-rights front groups. While Hamas has not acted outside Israel, it has the capability of carrying out attacks in America if it decided to enlarge the scope of its operations."
There have been previous indications Hamas indeed has agents operating inside the U.S.
In August 2004, Ismail Selim Elbarasse, a long-time Hamas money man, was arrested reportedly after authorities witnessed his wife videotaping Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Bridge from their SUV as Elbarasse drove. The images captured by Mr. Elbarasse's wife included close-ups of cables and other features "integral to the structural integrity of the bridge," according to court papers.
In an FBI affidavit requesting a search warrant for Elbarasse's house obtained by WND, special FBI agent Shawn Devroude states, "In previous years, al-Qaida commanders and officials stationed in Western countries, including the United States, have recruited Hamas operatives and volunteers to carry out reconnaissance or serve as couriers.
"With the increased law enforcement pressure since 9-11, there has been a renewed emphasis by al-Qaida to find confirmed jihadist supporters in the U.S. by trying to enlist proven members of other groups such as Hamas to make up for the vacuum on the field level."
Also in August 2004, two suspected high-level Hamas operatives, Mohammed Salah and Abdelhaleem Ashqar, were detained in the U.S. and charged with providing material support to Hamas, racketeering and money laundering.
Ashqar, under house arrest in Virginia, denied to WND he was involved with Hamas fundraising and claimed doesn't know of any Hamas networks operating in America.
In November 2003, Jamal Aqal, a Canadian immigrant born in Gaza, was arrested in Israel under suspicion of receiving weapons and explosives training from Hamas for use in future terror attacks in Canada and New York City. Aqal pleaded guilty in 2004 to planning to kill American and Canadian Jewish leaders and Israeli officials traveling in the U.S.
Meet 'Mary Christmas' -- No Joke!
Meet 'Mary Christmas' -- No Joke!
By Dorie Turner
Associated Press
CBNNews.com -- GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- Don't bother making jokes. This family has heard them all. No, they don't communicate directly with Santa Claus.
They don't celebrate the holidays year-round, and they certainly have some not-so-cheerful days. The smirks and the wisecracks are just part of life when your last name is Christmas, and especially so when two of your family members are named - Mary.
"People ask me all the time, `What were your parents thinking?'" said the younger Mary Christmas, 30. "I never minded. It's a conversation piece."
It all started on Christmas Day 1935, when the elder Mary wedded Henry Christmas, becoming Mary Christmas. They had Bob Christmas, who married Peggy and had six children.
Mary was born first and named for her grandmother. The spirit of the season took hold again when Christy Noel, now 23, was born in December.
And it doesn't end there. Bob's brother married Cathy Holiday, and they had a daughter named Carol. And Bob's sister married into the White family, becoming Jeane Christmas White.
The Christmas family lives up to its cheerful name. They are a lively bunch, finishing each other's sentences and laughing at a constant stream of jokes.
"You can tell we're a happy family," said the elder Mary Christmas, who is 90.
So what is Christmas like at the Christmases'?
Christmas Eve involves a family dinner, a church service, the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible and then one gift per family member. The children - ranging in age from 12 to 30 - build forts in the living room out of blankets and furniture and fall asleep watching Christmas movies. Christmas Day includes a big family brunch with biscuits and gravy, and a Christmas dinner.
The Christmas children agree that the only time their last name gets old is roll call at school. Many of them roll their eyes and groan at the thought.
"The first day of the semester in college, I was like, `Here we go,'" said the younger Mary, who graduated from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where one of her professors made her stand up in front of a large lecture hall full of students when he saw her name on the class list.
Peggy said the name keeps her on her toes.
"When you're out shopping and things, you make sure you're not grumpy or rude to someone who's helping you because in the end when you go to pay, they see your name is Christmas," she said.
They also embrace their holiday heritage. The younger Mary's e-mail address begins with "jinglebells."
Despite the lighthearted way the Christmases talk about their name, they take it very seriously, too.
"It would be my goal that our lives as a family exemplify not just the birth of Christ, but the life of Christ," said Robby, 28.
With that, he was met with a chorus of amens from the rest of the Christmases.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
By Dorie Turner
Associated Press
CBNNews.com -- GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- Don't bother making jokes. This family has heard them all. No, they don't communicate directly with Santa Claus.
They don't celebrate the holidays year-round, and they certainly have some not-so-cheerful days. The smirks and the wisecracks are just part of life when your last name is Christmas, and especially so when two of your family members are named - Mary.
"People ask me all the time, `What were your parents thinking?'" said the younger Mary Christmas, 30. "I never minded. It's a conversation piece."
It all started on Christmas Day 1935, when the elder Mary wedded Henry Christmas, becoming Mary Christmas. They had Bob Christmas, who married Peggy and had six children.
Mary was born first and named for her grandmother. The spirit of the season took hold again when Christy Noel, now 23, was born in December.
And it doesn't end there. Bob's brother married Cathy Holiday, and they had a daughter named Carol. And Bob's sister married into the White family, becoming Jeane Christmas White.
The Christmas family lives up to its cheerful name. They are a lively bunch, finishing each other's sentences and laughing at a constant stream of jokes.
"You can tell we're a happy family," said the elder Mary Christmas, who is 90.
So what is Christmas like at the Christmases'?
Christmas Eve involves a family dinner, a church service, the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible and then one gift per family member. The children - ranging in age from 12 to 30 - build forts in the living room out of blankets and furniture and fall asleep watching Christmas movies. Christmas Day includes a big family brunch with biscuits and gravy, and a Christmas dinner.
The Christmas children agree that the only time their last name gets old is roll call at school. Many of them roll their eyes and groan at the thought.
"The first day of the semester in college, I was like, `Here we go,'" said the younger Mary, who graduated from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where one of her professors made her stand up in front of a large lecture hall full of students when he saw her name on the class list.
Peggy said the name keeps her on her toes.
"When you're out shopping and things, you make sure you're not grumpy or rude to someone who's helping you because in the end when you go to pay, they see your name is Christmas," she said.
They also embrace their holiday heritage. The younger Mary's e-mail address begins with "jinglebells."
Despite the lighthearted way the Christmases talk about their name, they take it very seriously, too.
"It would be my goal that our lives as a family exemplify not just the birth of Christ, but the life of Christ," said Robby, 28.
With that, he was met with a chorus of amens from the rest of the Christmases.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Marines Charged in Iraqi Civilian Deaths
Marines Charged in Iraqi Civilian Deaths
By Thomas Watkins
Associated Press Writer
December 22, 2006
CBNNews.com -- CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - With eight Marines charged in connection with the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians, the Marine Corps sent a clear message to its officers: They will be held accountable for the actions of their subordinates.
In the biggest U.S. criminal case involving civilian deaths to come out of the Iraq war, four of the Marines - all enlisted men - were charged Thursday with unpremeditated murder.
But the remaining four Marines in the case are officers, the highest ranking among them a lieutenant colonel. They were charged with dereliction of duty for failing to report or properly investigate the killings in the Iraqi town of Haditha last year.
The case marks the largest number of U.S. officers to be charged in an alleged crime since the start of the Iraq war, said John Hutson, a former Navy judge advocate general.
"The honorable thing is not to 'protect' your subordinates," said Hutson, who is now president of New Hampshire's Franklin Pierce Law Center. "The honorable thing is to look above that and realize they have a greater responsibility to the Marine Corps and military justice system."
Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani, 42, of Rangely, Colo., was charged with failing to accurately report and thoroughly investigate a possible violation and dereliction of duty. He could face dismissal and up to two years in prison.
Hutson said officers play an integral role in the way crimes are reported and how military justice is handled. He said if the officers did fail to properly investigate the deaths, their failures were more enduring "than these guys who allegedly murdered people."
Besides Chessani, officers charged in connection with how the incident was investigated or reported included 1st Lt. Andrew A. Grayson, 25; Capt. Lucas McConnell, 31, of Napa, Calif., and Capt. Randy W. Stone, 34, a military attorney.
The charges followed an investigation into Iraqi allegations that Marines went on a rampage after one of their own was killed by a bomb.
Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich, 26, was charged with the unpremeditated murder of 12 people, and the murder of six others by ordering Marines about to enter a house to "shoot first and ask questions later," according to court papers released by his attorney, Neal Puckett. He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.
Puckett said his client carried out the killings in accordance with his training.
"There's no question that innocent people died that day, but Staff Sergeant Wuterich believes, and I believe, they did everything they were trained to do," he said.
Wuterich was also charged with making a false official statement and soliciting another sergeant to make false official statements.
Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz, 24, of Chicago, was accused of the unpremeditated murders of five people and making a false official statement with intent to deceive.
Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, 22, of Canonsburg, Pa., was accused of the unpremeditated murder of three Iraqis. Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum, 25, of Edmund, Okla., was charged with the unpremeditated murders of two Iraqis, negligent homicide of four Iraqi civilians and a charge of assault upon two Iraqis.
The Marines, who are based at Camp Pendleton, have been under investigation since March. None will be placed in pretrial confinement, because they are not deemed a flight risk or a danger to themselves or others, said Col. Stewart Navarre, chief of staff for Marine Corps Installations West.
The Iraqis were killed in the hours following a roadside bomb that rocked a Marine patrol on the morning of Nov. 19, 2005. The blast killed Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas of El Paso, Texas, and injured two others. The Marine Corps said again Thursday that insurgents fired guns after the blast.
In the aftermath, five men were shot as they approached the scene in a taxi and others - including women and children - died as Marines went house to house in the area, clearing homes with grenades and gunfire.
Terrazas' father denounced the charges.
"What they are doing to our troops ... it's just wrong," he told The Associated Press in Texas. "I feel for their families. They are in my prayers."
Defense attorneys have said their clients were doing what they had been trained to do: respond to a perceived threat with legitimate force. The Marines remained in combat for months after the killings.
A criminal probe was launched after Time magazine reported in March, citing survivor accounts and human rights groups, that innocent people were killed.
The Marine Corps initially reported that 15 Iraqis died in a roadside bomb blast, and Marines killed eight insurgents in an ensuing fire fight. That account was widely discredited and later reports put the number of dead Iraqis at 24.
Lt. Gen. James Mattis, commanding general of the Marine Corps Central Command, said Thursday that the Corps' initial news release, which said the civilians in Haditha had been killed by an improvised explosive device, was incorrect.
"We now know with certainty that the press release was incorrect, and that none of the civilians were killed by the IED explosion," Mattis said in another release.
---
Associated Press writers Allison Hoffman at Camp Pendleton, Alicia Caldwell in El Paso, Texas, and Saad Abdul Kadir in Baghdad contributed to this report.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press
By Thomas Watkins
Associated Press Writer
December 22, 2006
CBNNews.com -- CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - With eight Marines charged in connection with the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians, the Marine Corps sent a clear message to its officers: They will be held accountable for the actions of their subordinates.
In the biggest U.S. criminal case involving civilian deaths to come out of the Iraq war, four of the Marines - all enlisted men - were charged Thursday with unpremeditated murder.
But the remaining four Marines in the case are officers, the highest ranking among them a lieutenant colonel. They were charged with dereliction of duty for failing to report or properly investigate the killings in the Iraqi town of Haditha last year.
The case marks the largest number of U.S. officers to be charged in an alleged crime since the start of the Iraq war, said John Hutson, a former Navy judge advocate general.
"The honorable thing is not to 'protect' your subordinates," said Hutson, who is now president of New Hampshire's Franklin Pierce Law Center. "The honorable thing is to look above that and realize they have a greater responsibility to the Marine Corps and military justice system."
Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani, 42, of Rangely, Colo., was charged with failing to accurately report and thoroughly investigate a possible violation and dereliction of duty. He could face dismissal and up to two years in prison.
Hutson said officers play an integral role in the way crimes are reported and how military justice is handled. He said if the officers did fail to properly investigate the deaths, their failures were more enduring "than these guys who allegedly murdered people."
Besides Chessani, officers charged in connection with how the incident was investigated or reported included 1st Lt. Andrew A. Grayson, 25; Capt. Lucas McConnell, 31, of Napa, Calif., and Capt. Randy W. Stone, 34, a military attorney.
The charges followed an investigation into Iraqi allegations that Marines went on a rampage after one of their own was killed by a bomb.
Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich, 26, was charged with the unpremeditated murder of 12 people, and the murder of six others by ordering Marines about to enter a house to "shoot first and ask questions later," according to court papers released by his attorney, Neal Puckett. He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.
Puckett said his client carried out the killings in accordance with his training.
"There's no question that innocent people died that day, but Staff Sergeant Wuterich believes, and I believe, they did everything they were trained to do," he said.
Wuterich was also charged with making a false official statement and soliciting another sergeant to make false official statements.
Sgt. Sanick P. Dela Cruz, 24, of Chicago, was accused of the unpremeditated murders of five people and making a false official statement with intent to deceive.
Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, 22, of Canonsburg, Pa., was accused of the unpremeditated murder of three Iraqis. Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum, 25, of Edmund, Okla., was charged with the unpremeditated murders of two Iraqis, negligent homicide of four Iraqi civilians and a charge of assault upon two Iraqis.
The Marines, who are based at Camp Pendleton, have been under investigation since March. None will be placed in pretrial confinement, because they are not deemed a flight risk or a danger to themselves or others, said Col. Stewart Navarre, chief of staff for Marine Corps Installations West.
The Iraqis were killed in the hours following a roadside bomb that rocked a Marine patrol on the morning of Nov. 19, 2005. The blast killed Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas of El Paso, Texas, and injured two others. The Marine Corps said again Thursday that insurgents fired guns after the blast.
In the aftermath, five men were shot as they approached the scene in a taxi and others - including women and children - died as Marines went house to house in the area, clearing homes with grenades and gunfire.
Terrazas' father denounced the charges.
"What they are doing to our troops ... it's just wrong," he told The Associated Press in Texas. "I feel for their families. They are in my prayers."
Defense attorneys have said their clients were doing what they had been trained to do: respond to a perceived threat with legitimate force. The Marines remained in combat for months after the killings.
A criminal probe was launched after Time magazine reported in March, citing survivor accounts and human rights groups, that innocent people were killed.
The Marine Corps initially reported that 15 Iraqis died in a roadside bomb blast, and Marines killed eight insurgents in an ensuing fire fight. That account was widely discredited and later reports put the number of dead Iraqis at 24.
Lt. Gen. James Mattis, commanding general of the Marine Corps Central Command, said Thursday that the Corps' initial news release, which said the civilians in Haditha had been killed by an improvised explosive device, was incorrect.
"We now know with certainty that the press release was incorrect, and that none of the civilians were killed by the IED explosion," Mattis said in another release.
---
Associated Press writers Allison Hoffman at Camp Pendleton, Alicia Caldwell in El Paso, Texas, and Saad Abdul Kadir in Baghdad contributed to this report.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press
North Korea Will Increase Nuclear Arsenal
North Korea Will Increase Nuclear Arsenal
Associated Press
December 22, 2006
CBNNews.com -- BEIJING - As North Korea sees it, the U-S seeks to halt its nuclear program through "carrots and sticks," so it's responding with "dialogue and a shield."
With no agreement on disarmament or further negotiations after five days of talks, North Korea's main nuclear envoy said the communist nation would beef up its nuclear arsenal in response to U-S pressure.
Negotiators in Beijing say Pyongyang refused to talk about its nuclear weapons program, and instead stuck to its demand that the U-S remove financial restrictions.
After Japan's top envoy questioned whether there would be talks in the future, Japan's prime minister said he still believes the six-nation framework is the most effective means of getting a breakthrough.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press
Associated Press
December 22, 2006
CBNNews.com -- BEIJING - As North Korea sees it, the U-S seeks to halt its nuclear program through "carrots and sticks," so it's responding with "dialogue and a shield."
With no agreement on disarmament or further negotiations after five days of talks, North Korea's main nuclear envoy said the communist nation would beef up its nuclear arsenal in response to U-S pressure.
Negotiators in Beijing say Pyongyang refused to talk about its nuclear weapons program, and instead stuck to its demand that the U-S remove financial restrictions.
After Japan's top envoy questioned whether there would be talks in the future, Japan's prime minister said he still believes the six-nation framework is the most effective means of getting a breakthrough.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press
U.N. Votes on Iran Sanctions
U.N. Votes on Iran Sanctions
By John Jessup
CBN News
CBNNews.com- WASHINGTON - After months of haggling the U.N. Security Council will vote sanctions for Iran on Friday.
The revised draft is designed to put pressure on Tehran to end its nuclear enrichment program, which can be used as a source for civilian energy or to make a nuclear bomb.
During his year-end press conference, President Bush said any resolution must be clear.
Bush said, "The message will be that you -- you, Iran -- are further isolated from the world. My message to the Iranian people is you can do better than to have somebody try to rewrite history, and you can do better than having somebody who's trying to develop a nuclear weapon that the world believes you shouldn't have. There's a better way forward."
The push for a U.N. sanctions vote comes as Iran and its leaders have drawn recent attention with last week's controversial Holocaust conference.
This week's election's where young voters showed their disapproval of political hardliners, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's insistence to Iran's right to nuclear energy, despite the possibility of sanctions.
During a speech in Dubai, Prime Minister Tony Blair singled out Iran and Ahmadinejad as a worldwide threat.
"Here are elements of the government of Iran openly supporting terrorism in Iraq to stop a fledgling democratic process," Blair said.
Blair also highlighted Iran's involvement in de-stabilizing Lebanon's infant democracy, working against peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and its defiant drive to acquire nuclear weapons.
Blair said it was time to wake up. "Yet a huge part of world opinion is frankly almost indifferent," he said. "It would be bizarre if it weren't so deadly serious."
One country that isn't indifferent is Israel, whose top spy chief this week said Iran could have its first atomic bomb in the next three to four years.
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. © 2006
By John Jessup
CBN News
CBNNews.com- WASHINGTON - After months of haggling the U.N. Security Council will vote sanctions for Iran on Friday.
The revised draft is designed to put pressure on Tehran to end its nuclear enrichment program, which can be used as a source for civilian energy or to make a nuclear bomb.
During his year-end press conference, President Bush said any resolution must be clear.
Bush said, "The message will be that you -- you, Iran -- are further isolated from the world. My message to the Iranian people is you can do better than to have somebody try to rewrite history, and you can do better than having somebody who's trying to develop a nuclear weapon that the world believes you shouldn't have. There's a better way forward."
The push for a U.N. sanctions vote comes as Iran and its leaders have drawn recent attention with last week's controversial Holocaust conference.
This week's election's where young voters showed their disapproval of political hardliners, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's insistence to Iran's right to nuclear energy, despite the possibility of sanctions.
During a speech in Dubai, Prime Minister Tony Blair singled out Iran and Ahmadinejad as a worldwide threat.
"Here are elements of the government of Iran openly supporting terrorism in Iraq to stop a fledgling democratic process," Blair said.
Blair also highlighted Iran's involvement in de-stabilizing Lebanon's infant democracy, working against peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and its defiant drive to acquire nuclear weapons.
Blair said it was time to wake up. "Yet a huge part of world opinion is frankly almost indifferent," he said. "It would be bizarre if it weren't so deadly serious."
One country that isn't indifferent is Israel, whose top spy chief this week said Iran could have its first atomic bomb in the next three to four years.
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. © 2006
Miracle Music
Miracle Music
By Wendy Griffith
CBN News
CBNNews.com - HANOVER, Virginia - Imagine being born with no arms and no hands. How would you function? What would life be like?
Meet 12-year-old George Dennehy.
George sits first chair in the cello section of his orchestra class at Oak Knoll Middle School in Hanover, Virginia.
George was born without arms and hands. He uses his toes like fingers.
With one foot, he presses the strings, and with the other, he skillfully holds the bow.
George was born with bi-lateral upper-limb deficiency and has learned to do nearly everything with his feet -- he eats with his feet; checks his e-mail; reads the Bible; rides his skateboard - and even does art work.
He recently made a clay mask, and draws beautifully holding the pen between his toes.
"George is a very independent student," says Coleen Shepherd, his art teacher. "He comes in and gets right to work. He's an inspiration in the class - he has no limits."
After school, George and his brother James - also born without arms, share a snack and then head out for a game of soccer in the back yard with their other siblings and friends.
George is one of four adopted and three biological children of Mike and Sharon Dennehy.
The Dennehy's adopted George from Romania when he was just a baby, and soon afterward, adopted James from India.
George's mom Sharon said, "A little newsletter came in and there was a little blurred black and white picture of George. And it said, little boy born without arms desperately needs loving family to take care of him.' I told Mike, and we were terrified. But we felt God would give us the strength to do it."
"In Romania, a physical handicap is considered a curse from God," said George's dad, Mike. "So not only over there was George different, but he was actually being rejected by the workers at the orphanage. And people were telling his family he shouldn't live there. The fact that we went there and retrieved him was a way for us to share the Gospel."
What's so amazing is how easy George makes everything look. From eating, to playing the cello, having no arms is no problem.
He said, "There's a few things I can't do, but there's a lot of things I can do."
George says he believes God made him this way for a special purpose.
"God has a plan for everyone - even people with disabilities - he can still use you for His will," he said.
George also has a favorite Bible verse: "Hebrews 11:6: 'But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him,'" he said.
His friend Nick DeLille, who's known George since they were about six, says he doesn't really think of George as being different.
"We high-five with our feet! I don't care that George doesn't have arms. I actually like having a friend who doesn't have arms," said Nick .
George says that he hopes his life will serve as an example to people - with arms or without arms - that all life is valuable.
He said, "There's not one life that God created that was made for no purpose. Why would God make a life and not do anything with it? So, every life is made for a purpose."
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. © 2006
By Wendy Griffith
CBN News
CBNNews.com - HANOVER, Virginia - Imagine being born with no arms and no hands. How would you function? What would life be like?Meet 12-year-old George Dennehy.
George sits first chair in the cello section of his orchestra class at Oak Knoll Middle School in Hanover, Virginia.
George was born without arms and hands. He uses his toes like fingers.
With one foot, he presses the strings, and with the other, he skillfully holds the bow.
George was born with bi-lateral upper-limb deficiency and has learned to do nearly everything with his feet -- he eats with his feet; checks his e-mail; reads the Bible; rides his skateboard - and even does art work.
He recently made a clay mask, and draws beautifully holding the pen between his toes.
"George is a very independent student," says Coleen Shepherd, his art teacher. "He comes in and gets right to work. He's an inspiration in the class - he has no limits."
After school, George and his brother James - also born without arms, share a snack and then head out for a game of soccer in the back yard with their other siblings and friends.
George is one of four adopted and three biological children of Mike and Sharon Dennehy.
The Dennehy's adopted George from Romania when he was just a baby, and soon afterward, adopted James from India.
George's mom Sharon said, "A little newsletter came in and there was a little blurred black and white picture of George. And it said, little boy born without arms desperately needs loving family to take care of him.' I told Mike, and we were terrified. But we felt God would give us the strength to do it."
"In Romania, a physical handicap is considered a curse from God," said George's dad, Mike. "So not only over there was George different, but he was actually being rejected by the workers at the orphanage. And people were telling his family he shouldn't live there. The fact that we went there and retrieved him was a way for us to share the Gospel."
What's so amazing is how easy George makes everything look. From eating, to playing the cello, having no arms is no problem.
He said, "There's a few things I can't do, but there's a lot of things I can do."
George says he believes God made him this way for a special purpose.
"God has a plan for everyone - even people with disabilities - he can still use you for His will," he said.
George also has a favorite Bible verse: "Hebrews 11:6: 'But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him,'" he said.
His friend Nick DeLille, who's known George since they were about six, says he doesn't really think of George as being different.
"We high-five with our feet! I don't care that George doesn't have arms. I actually like having a friend who doesn't have arms," said Nick .
George says that he hopes his life will serve as an example to people - with arms or without arms - that all life is valuable.
He said, "There's not one life that God created that was made for no purpose. Why would God make a life and not do anything with it? So, every life is made for a purpose."
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. © 2006
Three Enter Guilty Plea in Church Fires
Three Enter Guilty Plea in Church Fires
CBN News
CBNNews.com -- Three young men in Alabama pleaded guilty to setting fires at nine rural churches.
Matthew Cloyd, Benjamin Nathan Moseley and Russell Lee DeBusk entered the guilty pleas to federal arson and conspiracy charges in the string of church fires set on two nights in February.
Prosecutors say a night of drinking last February led to five of the fires.
Court documents show the college students set the other four, trying to throw investigators off course.
All the churches were small, rural and Baptist and included both black and white congregations.
After the fires, CBN News visited the area. We found out that while the attacks were devastating, they brought down racial barriers, rallying congregations that had never met.
"God has actually used this tragic thing for good," said Wardell Harris of Pleasant Sabine Baptist. "The people who burned it down meant it for bad. But God has made something good out of it.
The three wore orange jail jumpsuits and leg chains as they stood before U.S. District Judge David Proctor, who told them they all face minimum seven-year sentences.
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. © 2006
CBN News
CBNNews.com -- Three young men in Alabama pleaded guilty to setting fires at nine rural churches.Matthew Cloyd, Benjamin Nathan Moseley and Russell Lee DeBusk entered the guilty pleas to federal arson and conspiracy charges in the string of church fires set on two nights in February.
Prosecutors say a night of drinking last February led to five of the fires.
Court documents show the college students set the other four, trying to throw investigators off course.
All the churches were small, rural and Baptist and included both black and white congregations.
After the fires, CBN News visited the area. We found out that while the attacks were devastating, they brought down racial barriers, rallying congregations that had never met.
"God has actually used this tragic thing for good," said Wardell Harris of Pleasant Sabine Baptist. "The people who burned it down meant it for bad. But God has made something good out of it.
The three wore orange jail jumpsuits and leg chains as they stood before U.S. District Judge David Proctor, who told them they all face minimum seven-year sentences.
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. © 2006
Court will decide if California voters were right
Court will decide if California voters were right
2000 vote overwhelmingly limited marriage to 1 man, 1 woman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Nearly two-thirds of all Californians six years ago agreed that marriage is to be limited to one man and one woman, but that doesn't impress the California Supreme Court, which has agreed to review – and re-decide – the issue.
That leaves a state constitutional amendment as the only way to protect traditional marriage in a state where a number of the justices on the high court have become activists for the "gay" agenda, according to a family values organization.
"Everyone who knows that marriage is for a man and a woman needs to wake up and donate to VoteYesMarriage.com, or else real marriage will be flushed down the drain," said Randy Thomasson, a spokesman for the pro-family coalition that is sponsoring The Voters Right to Protect Marriage initiative.
That proposal, officials hope, will be on the 2008 ballot.
"The VoteYesMarriage.com constitutional amendment is the only way to stop judges and politicians from destroying the beautiful, natural institution of marriage between a man and a woman. The California State Constitution is the highest law in the land, higher than the Legislature and the state Supreme Court, and stronger than a regular statute," Thomasson said.
The state had approved, through an initiative, a definition of marriage being limited to one man and one woman in 2000, but the state Supreme Court hasn't ever ruled on the constitutionality of that limit. In 2004, the justices did agree that the city of San Francisco overstepped its authority by creating new "marriage licenses" for same-sex duos and issuing them. However, Justices Joyce Kennard and Kathryn Werdegar at that point wanted those homosexual marriage licenses to continue, and they both remain on the bench. Then earlier this year, Justice Carole Corrigan, who has supported "gay" marriage, was added to the court.
"The people of California spoke in 2000, and the people's voice should be heard," said Senior Counsel Glen Lavy, of the Alliance Defense Fund, which will be participating in the arguments before the court.
"Political special interests shouldn't trump their voice regarding what's in the best interests of families and children," Lavy said. "This is the question the California courts will ultimately be deciding: Who is more important: our children and the voice of the people or politicians and special interest groups?"
The ruling from the California Court of Appeal came in October and said: "Courts simply do not have the authority to create new rights, especially when doing so involves changing the definition of so fundamental an institution as marriage. Judges are not free to rewrite statutes to say what they would like, or what they believe to be better social policy."
"Activists may desperately try again and again to redefine it, but marriage means one man and one woman," said Lavy "Everything else is counterfeit."
There are a total of six combined marriage cases that will be reviewed by the court, officials said.
Former Assemblyman Larry Bowler, R-Elk Grove, said the "writing is on the wall" that the state Supreme Court wants California to become like Massachusetts, which has given formal approval to homosexual marriages.
"While regular folks are preparing to celebrate Christmas, the California Supreme Court and the California Legislature are scheming to destroy marriage and the people's vote on marriage," he said. "The only remaining option is for the people to rise up, donate $2 million to place the VoteYesMarriage.com amendment on the California ballot, and pass it to permanently and fully protect marriage from the threat of judges and politicians."
During November voters in seven more states rejected the idea of "gay marriage" by implementing constitutional amendments that protect the biblical concept of holy matrimony – that is between one man and one woman only.
But legal experts warned afterwards that homosexuals undoubtedly will try to bypass the will of voters however they can.
"When you look at the country as a whole, it's obvious where Americans stand on marriage. But the battle is not over. The opposition will continue to attempt to bypass the will of the people," Lavy said at the time.
In the Nov. 7 election, voters in Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin all adopted such amendments. Colorado voters went even one step further, emphatically rejecting a referendum that would have allowed the extension of benefits to "domestic partners," a plan that would have created an "alternate marriage" plan for homosexuals.
Lavy endorsed marriage amendments "on both the state and federal level because they are the only way to prevent special interests from using the courts to sidestep the will of the people."
To date, in 27 out of 28 states where a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage has been proposed, voters have adopted it, sometimes by margins as high as 8-1.
Lavy said more information about protecting marriage is available at www.domawatch.org, which stands for Defense of Marriage Act, state laws that also have been used to protect marriage.
States Issues Analyst Mona Passignano, of the Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family Action, told WND that "gay" marriage supporters are running into a simple problem.
"What they're running up against is that people just want traditional marriage protected," she said.
During 2005, Texas and Kansas voters approved marriage protection amendments, and in the sweep of the 2004 vote, 13 states took the same action, including voters in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Utah, Michigan, Ohio and Oregon who did so on the same night. Missouri and Nevada also voted for the plan. Five other states had done so in earlier elections and another two dozen states have taken the same action, but by statute, not constitutional amendment.
2000 vote overwhelmingly limited marriage to 1 man, 1 woman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Nearly two-thirds of all Californians six years ago agreed that marriage is to be limited to one man and one woman, but that doesn't impress the California Supreme Court, which has agreed to review – and re-decide – the issue.
That leaves a state constitutional amendment as the only way to protect traditional marriage in a state where a number of the justices on the high court have become activists for the "gay" agenda, according to a family values organization.
"Everyone who knows that marriage is for a man and a woman needs to wake up and donate to VoteYesMarriage.com, or else real marriage will be flushed down the drain," said Randy Thomasson, a spokesman for the pro-family coalition that is sponsoring The Voters Right to Protect Marriage initiative.
That proposal, officials hope, will be on the 2008 ballot.
"The VoteYesMarriage.com constitutional amendment is the only way to stop judges and politicians from destroying the beautiful, natural institution of marriage between a man and a woman. The California State Constitution is the highest law in the land, higher than the Legislature and the state Supreme Court, and stronger than a regular statute," Thomasson said.
The state had approved, through an initiative, a definition of marriage being limited to one man and one woman in 2000, but the state Supreme Court hasn't ever ruled on the constitutionality of that limit. In 2004, the justices did agree that the city of San Francisco overstepped its authority by creating new "marriage licenses" for same-sex duos and issuing them. However, Justices Joyce Kennard and Kathryn Werdegar at that point wanted those homosexual marriage licenses to continue, and they both remain on the bench. Then earlier this year, Justice Carole Corrigan, who has supported "gay" marriage, was added to the court.
"The people of California spoke in 2000, and the people's voice should be heard," said Senior Counsel Glen Lavy, of the Alliance Defense Fund, which will be participating in the arguments before the court.
"Political special interests shouldn't trump their voice regarding what's in the best interests of families and children," Lavy said. "This is the question the California courts will ultimately be deciding: Who is more important: our children and the voice of the people or politicians and special interest groups?"
The ruling from the California Court of Appeal came in October and said: "Courts simply do not have the authority to create new rights, especially when doing so involves changing the definition of so fundamental an institution as marriage. Judges are not free to rewrite statutes to say what they would like, or what they believe to be better social policy."
"Activists may desperately try again and again to redefine it, but marriage means one man and one woman," said Lavy "Everything else is counterfeit."
There are a total of six combined marriage cases that will be reviewed by the court, officials said.
Former Assemblyman Larry Bowler, R-Elk Grove, said the "writing is on the wall" that the state Supreme Court wants California to become like Massachusetts, which has given formal approval to homosexual marriages.
"While regular folks are preparing to celebrate Christmas, the California Supreme Court and the California Legislature are scheming to destroy marriage and the people's vote on marriage," he said. "The only remaining option is for the people to rise up, donate $2 million to place the VoteYesMarriage.com amendment on the California ballot, and pass it to permanently and fully protect marriage from the threat of judges and politicians."
During November voters in seven more states rejected the idea of "gay marriage" by implementing constitutional amendments that protect the biblical concept of holy matrimony – that is between one man and one woman only.
But legal experts warned afterwards that homosexuals undoubtedly will try to bypass the will of voters however they can.
"When you look at the country as a whole, it's obvious where Americans stand on marriage. But the battle is not over. The opposition will continue to attempt to bypass the will of the people," Lavy said at the time.
In the Nov. 7 election, voters in Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin all adopted such amendments. Colorado voters went even one step further, emphatically rejecting a referendum that would have allowed the extension of benefits to "domestic partners," a plan that would have created an "alternate marriage" plan for homosexuals.
Lavy endorsed marriage amendments "on both the state and federal level because they are the only way to prevent special interests from using the courts to sidestep the will of the people."
To date, in 27 out of 28 states where a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage has been proposed, voters have adopted it, sometimes by margins as high as 8-1.
Lavy said more information about protecting marriage is available at www.domawatch.org, which stands for Defense of Marriage Act, state laws that also have been used to protect marriage.
States Issues Analyst Mona Passignano, of the Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family Action, told WND that "gay" marriage supporters are running into a simple problem.
"What they're running up against is that people just want traditional marriage protected," she said.
During 2005, Texas and Kansas voters approved marriage protection amendments, and in the sweep of the 2004 vote, 13 states took the same action, including voters in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Utah, Michigan, Ohio and Oregon who did so on the same night. Missouri and Nevada also voted for the plan. Five other states had done so in earlier elections and another two dozen states have taken the same action, but by statute, not constitutional amendment.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Ahmadinejad: Britain, Israel, US to 'vanish like the pharaohs'
Ahmadinejad: Britain, Israel, US to 'vanish like the pharaohs'
Dec 20 4:41 AM US/Eastern
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has predicted that Britian, Israel and the United States would eventually disappear from the world like the Egyptian pharaonic kings.
"The oppressive powers will disappear while the Iranian people will stay. Any power that is close to God will survive while the powers who are far from God will disappear like the pharaohs," he said Wednesday, according to Iranian news agencies.
"Today, it is the United States, Britain and the Zionist regime which are doomed to disappear as they have moved far away from the teachings of God," he said in a speech in the western town of Javanroud.
"It is a divine promise."
Ahmadinejad's comments were the latest salvo by the deeply religious president against the West and Israel. He has repeatedly predicted that Israel is doomed to disappear.
The remarks come amid mounting efforts by UN Security Council powers to agree a resolution imposing sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
"They are threatening us with sanctions. But they have to know that nuclear energy is the desire of all the (Iranian) people and the people will insist on their right," Ahmadinejad said.
Copyright AFP 2005
© 2006 BREITBART.COM, LLC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Dec 20 4:41 AM US/Eastern
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has predicted that Britian, Israel and the United States would eventually disappear from the world like the Egyptian pharaonic kings."The oppressive powers will disappear while the Iranian people will stay. Any power that is close to God will survive while the powers who are far from God will disappear like the pharaohs," he said Wednesday, according to Iranian news agencies.
"Today, it is the United States, Britain and the Zionist regime which are doomed to disappear as they have moved far away from the teachings of God," he said in a speech in the western town of Javanroud.
"It is a divine promise."
Ahmadinejad's comments were the latest salvo by the deeply religious president against the West and Israel. He has repeatedly predicted that Israel is doomed to disappear.
The remarks come amid mounting efforts by UN Security Council powers to agree a resolution imposing sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
"They are threatening us with sanctions. But they have to know that nuclear energy is the desire of all the (Iranian) people and the people will insist on their right," Ahmadinejad said.
Copyright AFP 2005
© 2006 BREITBART.COM, LLC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Israeli military watches idly as rockets launched into Jewish cities
Israeli military watches idly as rockets launched into Jewish cities
Olmert's new rules of engagement restrains army from taking defensive actions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 20, 2006
9:47 p.m. Eastern
By Aaron Klein
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – The Israeli Defense Forces today spotted several Palestinian militants launching rockets from the Gaza Strip into nearby Jewish cities but were unable to take any defensive measures due to restrictions imposed by the government, WND has learned.
Military officials said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's security cabinet changed the IDF's rules of engagement after a cease-fire went into effect Nov. 26. Now, if Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are caught launching rockets at Jewish cities, the Israeli military is forbidden to respond.
Previously, the IDF used artillery units and aerial strikes against militants discovered in the process of launching rockets.
Today, the IDF spotted militants in northern Gaza setting up rocket launchers, military sources told WND. Two rockets then were fired into Israel and landed short at a Gaza-Israel crossing.
Minutes later, the IDF spotted more militants near the same northern Gaza location firing two rockets. Both landed just outside Sderot, an Israeli city about three miles from Gaza.
Then, military sources said, the IDF again spotted militants who this time fired two more rockets, one landing near Ashkelon, a strategic Israeli port city housing important infrastructure and electric facilities.
"We are frustrated just watching the rocket launchers being set up. There is nothing we are allowed to do," said a military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media.
"So far we've been lucky, but soon one of the rockets will kill someone and then questions should be asked about why we weren't allowed to do anything," the source said.
Today's rocket volleys were the latest in a series of Palestinian attacks since last month's cease-fire in Gaza went into effect.
The Islamic Jihad terror group took responsibility for today's attacks, saying in a statement the rockets were in response to the killings by the IDF earlier today of two wanted Islamic Jihad gunmen in the northern West Bank. The cease-fire agreement only extended to the Gaza Strip, allowing the Jewish state to carry out anti-terror activities in the West Bank.
Olmert: 'No good reason I shouldn't meet Abbas'
Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz said today Israel would "rethink" its policy of restraint if Palestinian terror groups continue to breach the cease-fire.
"Israel has no intention to gamble with the safety of its citizens, there is a limit to our restraint," said Peretz.
But Olmert said he had faith the cease-fire would work and that it could lead to a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians.
He said he would be willing to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for peace talks in the near future.
"If it's possible to make [Abbas] happy and make me happy, then I can't see a reason not to do it, and hope that it will happen very soon," Olmert said during a press conference in Jerusalem with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
Aides to Olmert said a "peace summit" with Abbas may be set up in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence officials warn Palestinians in Gaza continue to smuggle weapons into the territory from neighboring Egypt.
The intelligence officials told WND today the smuggling has "increased enormously" following the outbreak of violent clashes between Fatah and Hamas in Gaza after Abbas this weekend called for new Palestinian elections. Abbas' call was widely seen as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas-led Palestinian government.
Olmert didn't consult army before implementing cease-fire
The truce Israel agreed to last month called for a halt of smuggling activity by Palestinian groups in Gaza. It also called for a cessation of rocket attacks launched by Palestinian militants in Gaza aiming at nearby Jewish communities in exchange for Israel withdrawing its ground troops from the Strip and halting military activity in the territory.
In accordance with orders from Olmert, the IDF removed its troops from Gaza, but Palestinian militants have fired more than 30 rockets into Israel, including a volley hours after the cease-fire was signed.
Earlier this month, IDF chief of staff Dan Halutz told Israel's Knesset that Olmert did not fully consult with the Israeli army before agreeing to the cease-fire with Palestinian militants.
IDF sources and several prominent Knesset members said the cease-fire is damaging Israel's security by allowing Palestinian groups to continue smuggling weapons into Gaza. They said the truce would provide downtime for militants to train for attacks against Israel.
The IDF has been petitioning for a large-scale assault in Gaza.
The officials said that according to IDF assessments, the best options to stop the daily rocket fire from Gaza into nearby Jewish communities and to halt the regular smuggling of weapons from neighboring Egypt include drafted plans to retake parts of Gaza.
They said other options presented to the Israeli government for a large-scale Gaza assault focusing on dismantling the terror infrastructure inside the Gaza Strip have also been rejected by Olmert.
The officials charged Olmert has been restraining the IDF from carrying out what the army believes are operations "crucial" for Israel's security.
IDF military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin and Yuval Diskin, director of Israel's Shin Bet Security Services, both warned in recent speeches to the Knesset that if Israel doesn't launch a major offensive in Gaza, Palestinian groups there will soon have military capabilities similar to Hezbollah's in Lebanon.
Terrorists: Cease-fire means chance to reload
In a series of WND exclusive interviews conducted immediately after last month's cease-fire was finalized, leaders of the four largest Palestinian terror groups in Gaza said the new truce will be used to smuggle weapons into Gaza; reinforce and train "fighter units"; and produce rockets for a future confrontation with the Jewish state.
"The cease-fire offers a period of calm for our fighters to recover and prepare for our final goal of evacuating Palestine," said Abu Abir, spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, a Hamas-allied terror organization in the Gaza Strip responsible for many of the recent rocket attacks against Israeli communities.
"We will keep fighting [Israel], but for the moment we will postpone certain parts of the military struggle," said Abu Abir. "We will reinforce very quickly and rush what we are doing to prepare [for attacks against Israel] in Gaza and in the West Bank."
Abu Abdullah, a senior leader of Hamas' so-called "military wing," told WND Hamas agreed to the cease-fire "because we need a period of calm to recuperate. This lull in fighting will not bring us to speak about peace."
Abu Abdullah is considered one of the most important operational members of Hamas' Izzedine al-Qassam Martyrs Brigades, Hamas' declared military wing.
He pointed to Hamas' doctrine, which calls for the destruction of Israel and which refuses to recognize the Jewish state.
"The political leadership (of Hamas) will never compromise on these values," the terror leader said.
Abu Abdullah said Hamas has its own political reasons to respect the truce.
"We wish to show Islam as a ruling party is capable of leading the Palestinian people," he said. "Since Hamas was elected, we have been through only chaotic periods. We want a period of calm to prove we are not only a revolutionary movement but to show the Palestinian people our rule is without the corruption of (the rival) Fatah (party)."
But Abu Abdullah said the cease-fire would ultimately end in violence.
"All the Palestinian people and all the Muslims will launch a direct confrontation with Israel. This may come soon or it may take some time," Abu Abdullah said.
Abu Luay, a leader of Islamic Jihad in Gaza, told WND Israel's call for a cease-fire "proves our rocket attacks work. The Zionists know there is now remedy for our rockets."
The Islamic Jihad leader said Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel would resume "at a time of our choosing."
Abu Ahmed, the leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the northern Gaza Strip, told WND his terror group would respect the cease-fire.
The Brigades, responsible for scores of suicide bombings, shootings and rocket attacks, is the declared military wing of Abbas' Fatah party.
"We will respect the cease-fire as the president (Abbas) has ordered us to do," said Abu Ahmed. "We keep our right to respond to any Israeli aggression. Our group does not give up any of its ideals, which is a withdrawal of the Israelis."
According to senior military officials speaking to WND in recent weeks, Olmert has rejected a number of military plans outlined to him for a large-scale assault in the Gaza Strip that would include reoccupation of parts of the territory.
The officials said that according to IDF assessments, the best options to stop the daily rocket fire from Gaza into nearby Jewish communities and to halt the regular smuggling of weapons from neighboring Egypt include drafted plans to retake parts of Gaza.
They said other options presented to the Israeli government for a large-scale Gaza assault focusing on dismantling the terror infrastructure inside the Gaza Strip also have been rejected by Olmert.
The officials charged Olmert has been restraining the IDF from carrying out what the army believes are operations "crucial" for Israel's security.
IDF military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin and Yuval Diskin, director of Israel's Shin Bet Security Services, both warned in recent speeches to the Knesset that if Israel doesn't launch a major offensive in Gaza, Palestinian groups there will soon have military capabilities similar to Hezbollah's in Lebanon.
Olmert's new rules of engagement restrains army from taking defensive actions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 20, 2006
9:47 p.m. Eastern
By Aaron Klein
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
JERUSALEM – The Israeli Defense Forces today spotted several Palestinian militants launching rockets from the Gaza Strip into nearby Jewish cities but were unable to take any defensive measures due to restrictions imposed by the government, WND has learned.
Military officials said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's security cabinet changed the IDF's rules of engagement after a cease-fire went into effect Nov. 26. Now, if Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are caught launching rockets at Jewish cities, the Israeli military is forbidden to respond.
Previously, the IDF used artillery units and aerial strikes against militants discovered in the process of launching rockets.
Today, the IDF spotted militants in northern Gaza setting up rocket launchers, military sources told WND. Two rockets then were fired into Israel and landed short at a Gaza-Israel crossing.
Minutes later, the IDF spotted more militants near the same northern Gaza location firing two rockets. Both landed just outside Sderot, an Israeli city about three miles from Gaza.
Then, military sources said, the IDF again spotted militants who this time fired two more rockets, one landing near Ashkelon, a strategic Israeli port city housing important infrastructure and electric facilities.
"We are frustrated just watching the rocket launchers being set up. There is nothing we are allowed to do," said a military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media.
"So far we've been lucky, but soon one of the rockets will kill someone and then questions should be asked about why we weren't allowed to do anything," the source said.
Today's rocket volleys were the latest in a series of Palestinian attacks since last month's cease-fire in Gaza went into effect.
The Islamic Jihad terror group took responsibility for today's attacks, saying in a statement the rockets were in response to the killings by the IDF earlier today of two wanted Islamic Jihad gunmen in the northern West Bank. The cease-fire agreement only extended to the Gaza Strip, allowing the Jewish state to carry out anti-terror activities in the West Bank.
Olmert: 'No good reason I shouldn't meet Abbas'
Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz said today Israel would "rethink" its policy of restraint if Palestinian terror groups continue to breach the cease-fire.
"Israel has no intention to gamble with the safety of its citizens, there is a limit to our restraint," said Peretz.
But Olmert said he had faith the cease-fire would work and that it could lead to a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians.
He said he would be willing to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for peace talks in the near future.
"If it's possible to make [Abbas] happy and make me happy, then I can't see a reason not to do it, and hope that it will happen very soon," Olmert said during a press conference in Jerusalem with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
Aides to Olmert said a "peace summit" with Abbas may be set up in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence officials warn Palestinians in Gaza continue to smuggle weapons into the territory from neighboring Egypt.
The intelligence officials told WND today the smuggling has "increased enormously" following the outbreak of violent clashes between Fatah and Hamas in Gaza after Abbas this weekend called for new Palestinian elections. Abbas' call was widely seen as an attempt to dismantle the Hamas-led Palestinian government.
Olmert didn't consult army before implementing cease-fire
The truce Israel agreed to last month called for a halt of smuggling activity by Palestinian groups in Gaza. It also called for a cessation of rocket attacks launched by Palestinian militants in Gaza aiming at nearby Jewish communities in exchange for Israel withdrawing its ground troops from the Strip and halting military activity in the territory.
In accordance with orders from Olmert, the IDF removed its troops from Gaza, but Palestinian militants have fired more than 30 rockets into Israel, including a volley hours after the cease-fire was signed.
Earlier this month, IDF chief of staff Dan Halutz told Israel's Knesset that Olmert did not fully consult with the Israeli army before agreeing to the cease-fire with Palestinian militants.
IDF sources and several prominent Knesset members said the cease-fire is damaging Israel's security by allowing Palestinian groups to continue smuggling weapons into Gaza. They said the truce would provide downtime for militants to train for attacks against Israel.
The IDF has been petitioning for a large-scale assault in Gaza.
The officials said that according to IDF assessments, the best options to stop the daily rocket fire from Gaza into nearby Jewish communities and to halt the regular smuggling of weapons from neighboring Egypt include drafted plans to retake parts of Gaza.
They said other options presented to the Israeli government for a large-scale Gaza assault focusing on dismantling the terror infrastructure inside the Gaza Strip have also been rejected by Olmert.
The officials charged Olmert has been restraining the IDF from carrying out what the army believes are operations "crucial" for Israel's security.
IDF military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin and Yuval Diskin, director of Israel's Shin Bet Security Services, both warned in recent speeches to the Knesset that if Israel doesn't launch a major offensive in Gaza, Palestinian groups there will soon have military capabilities similar to Hezbollah's in Lebanon.
Terrorists: Cease-fire means chance to reload
In a series of WND exclusive interviews conducted immediately after last month's cease-fire was finalized, leaders of the four largest Palestinian terror groups in Gaza said the new truce will be used to smuggle weapons into Gaza; reinforce and train "fighter units"; and produce rockets for a future confrontation with the Jewish state.
"The cease-fire offers a period of calm for our fighters to recover and prepare for our final goal of evacuating Palestine," said Abu Abir, spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, a Hamas-allied terror organization in the Gaza Strip responsible for many of the recent rocket attacks against Israeli communities.
"We will keep fighting [Israel], but for the moment we will postpone certain parts of the military struggle," said Abu Abir. "We will reinforce very quickly and rush what we are doing to prepare [for attacks against Israel] in Gaza and in the West Bank."
Abu Abdullah, a senior leader of Hamas' so-called "military wing," told WND Hamas agreed to the cease-fire "because we need a period of calm to recuperate. This lull in fighting will not bring us to speak about peace."
Abu Abdullah is considered one of the most important operational members of Hamas' Izzedine al-Qassam Martyrs Brigades, Hamas' declared military wing.
He pointed to Hamas' doctrine, which calls for the destruction of Israel and which refuses to recognize the Jewish state.
"The political leadership (of Hamas) will never compromise on these values," the terror leader said.
Abu Abdullah said Hamas has its own political reasons to respect the truce.
"We wish to show Islam as a ruling party is capable of leading the Palestinian people," he said. "Since Hamas was elected, we have been through only chaotic periods. We want a period of calm to prove we are not only a revolutionary movement but to show the Palestinian people our rule is without the corruption of (the rival) Fatah (party)."
But Abu Abdullah said the cease-fire would ultimately end in violence.
"All the Palestinian people and all the Muslims will launch a direct confrontation with Israel. This may come soon or it may take some time," Abu Abdullah said.
Abu Luay, a leader of Islamic Jihad in Gaza, told WND Israel's call for a cease-fire "proves our rocket attacks work. The Zionists know there is now remedy for our rockets."
The Islamic Jihad leader said Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel would resume "at a time of our choosing."
Abu Ahmed, the leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the northern Gaza Strip, told WND his terror group would respect the cease-fire.
The Brigades, responsible for scores of suicide bombings, shootings and rocket attacks, is the declared military wing of Abbas' Fatah party.
"We will respect the cease-fire as the president (Abbas) has ordered us to do," said Abu Ahmed. "We keep our right to respond to any Israeli aggression. Our group does not give up any of its ideals, which is a withdrawal of the Israelis."
According to senior military officials speaking to WND in recent weeks, Olmert has rejected a number of military plans outlined to him for a large-scale assault in the Gaza Strip that would include reoccupation of parts of the territory.
The officials said that according to IDF assessments, the best options to stop the daily rocket fire from Gaza into nearby Jewish communities and to halt the regular smuggling of weapons from neighboring Egypt include drafted plans to retake parts of Gaza.
They said other options presented to the Israeli government for a large-scale Gaza assault focusing on dismantling the terror infrastructure inside the Gaza Strip also have been rejected by Olmert.
The officials charged Olmert has been restraining the IDF from carrying out what the army believes are operations "crucial" for Israel's security.
IDF military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin and Yuval Diskin, director of Israel's Shin Bet Security Services, both warned in recent speeches to the Knesset that if Israel doesn't launch a major offensive in Gaza, Palestinian groups there will soon have military capabilities similar to Hezbollah's in Lebanon.
Congressman says Muslim lawmaker's election threatens US values
Congressman says Muslim lawmaker's election threatens US values
AFP/File Photo: Newly elected congressman Keith Ellison, D-MN, is seen on Capitol Hill in November 2006. Congressman...
WASHINGTON (AFP) - A US lawmaker stirred up controversy when he expressed uneasiness over the election of a Muslim to serve with him in the House of Representatives, which he said endangered "the values and beliefs traditional" to the United States.
"The Muslim representative from Minnesota (Keith Ellison) was elected by the voters of that district, and if American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration, there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran" in their swearing-in ceremonies, Goode said in a letter to one of his associates, sent to AFP Wednesday.
The powerful Muslim rights group CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, demanded an apology from Goode in response to the letter.
"Representative Goode's Islamophobic remarks send a message of intolerance that is unworthy of anyone elected to public office," said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor. "There can be no reasonable defense for such bigotry."
Goode's spokesman said the lawmaker stood by his letter and would not offer any apology.
Ellison was also ordered by a conservative radio commentator, Dennis Prager, to take his oath of office using the Bible rather than the Koran.
"Mr. Ellison: America, not you, decides on what book its public servants take their oath," argued Prager, adding that taking the oath using the Muslim holy book would disqualify Ellison from serving in Congress.
Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2006 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
AFP/File Photo: Newly elected congressman Keith Ellison, D-MN, is seen on Capitol Hill in November 2006. Congressman...WASHINGTON (AFP) - A US lawmaker stirred up controversy when he expressed uneasiness over the election of a Muslim to serve with him in the House of Representatives, which he said endangered "the values and beliefs traditional" to the United States.
"The Muslim representative from Minnesota (Keith Ellison) was elected by the voters of that district, and if American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration, there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran" in their swearing-in ceremonies, Goode said in a letter to one of his associates, sent to AFP Wednesday.
The powerful Muslim rights group CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, demanded an apology from Goode in response to the letter.
"Representative Goode's Islamophobic remarks send a message of intolerance that is unworthy of anyone elected to public office," said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor. "There can be no reasonable defense for such bigotry."
Goode's spokesman said the lawmaker stood by his letter and would not offer any apology.
Ellison was also ordered by a conservative radio commentator, Dennis Prager, to take his oath of office using the Bible rather than the Koran.
"Mr. Ellison: America, not you, decides on what book its public servants take their oath," argued Prager, adding that taking the oath using the Muslim holy book would disqualify Ellison from serving in Congress.
Copyright © 2006 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2006 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Border agents plead for 'Christmas pardon'
Border agents plead for 'Christmas pardon'
Congressman hosts rally asking Bush to stop 'miscarriage of justice'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 20, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Art Moore
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Former U.S. Border Patrol agent Ignacio Ramos embraced his wife, Monica Ramos, two days before he was sentenced to 11 years in prison (Courtesy El Paso Times)
A Border Patrol agent sentenced to prison along with his partner for shooting and wounding a man smuggling drugs into the U.S. will appear with a congressman tomorrow at a rally asking President Bush to offer a pardon.
Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos, were sentenced to 12 years and 11 years, respectively, in October by U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Cardone in El Paso, Texas. The drug smuggler was granted immunity for his testimony.
Compean will be joined by family; Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R, Calif.; Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist; and members of other border-security groups such as Friends of the Border Patrol at the courthouse in Santa Ana, Calif., at 10:30 a.m. Pacific time tomorrow.
Rohrabacher, noting the president already has received a letter about the case from more than 50 Congress members, is asking Americans to sign petitions and send e-mails and letters to the White House requesting a "Christmas pardon."
Grassfire.org has an online petition calling on Bush to pardon the agents, with more than 130,000 signatures.
"This is the greatest miscarriage of justice that I've seen in my career," Rohrabacher told WND. "Two brave Border Patrol agents trying to enforce the president's nonsensical border policy ending up being sent to prison, while an illegal alien drug smuggler is given immunity and walks free."
Compean's sister, of Huntington Beach, lives in Rohrabacher's Southern California district.
The White House has not responded to the letter, according to Rohrabacher, and did not follow up a request from WND for comment. Press secretary Tony Snow has said he cannot comment on presidential pardons.
Gilchrist said what has happened to the two agents is "atrocious," with "their lifes being ruined, their families being put in turmoil."
"We would expect the president to give a full and unconditional pardon to these two wrongly arrested, wrongly accused, wrongly convicted members of law enforcement," he told WND, "and retroactive pay and benefits they've lost over the past two years since they were originally arrested."
As WND has reported, a federal jury convicted Compean, 28, and Ramos, 37, in March after a two-week trial on charges of causing serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and a civil rights violation.
Ramos is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve and a former nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year.
On Feb. 17, 2005, Ramos responded to a request for back-up from Compean, who noticed a suspicious van near the levee road along the Rio Grande River near the Texas town of Fabens, about 40 miles east of El Paso. A third agent also joined the pursuit.
Fleeing was an illegal alien, Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila of Mexico. Unknown to the growing number of Border Patrol agents converging on Fabens, Aldrete-Davila's van was carrying 800 pounds of marijuana.
Aldrete-Davila stopped the van on a levee, jumped out and started running toward the river. When he reached the other side of the levee, he was met by Compean who had anticipated the smuggler's attempt to get back to Mexico.
"We both yelled out for him to stop, but he wouldn't stop, and he just kept running," Ramos told California's Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
"At some point during the time where I'm crossing the canal, I hear shots being fired," Ramos said. "Later, I see Compean on the ground, but I keep running after the smuggler."
At that point, Ramos said, Aldrete-Davila turned toward him, pointing what looked like a gun.
"I shot," Ramos said. "But I didn't think he was hit, because he kept running into the brush and then disappeared into it. Later, we all watched as he jumped into a van waiting for him. He seemed fine. It didn't look like he had been hit at all."
The U.S. government filed charges against Ramos and Compean after giving full immunity to Aldrete-Davila and paying for his medical treatment at an El Paso hospital.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas issued a statement in September arguing "the defendants were prosecuted because they had fired their weapons at a man who had attempted to surrender by holding his open hands in the air, at which time Agent Compean attempted to hit the man with the butt of Compean's shotgun, causing the man to run in fear of what the agents would do to him next."
The statement said, "Although both agents saw that the man was not armed, the agents fired at least 15 rounds at him while he was running away from them, hitting him once."
Andy Ramirez of Friends of the Border Patrol said the drug smuggler has "fully contributed to the destruction of two brave agents and their families and has sent a very loud message to the other Border Patrol agents: If you confront a smuggler, this is what will happen to you."
The letter to Bush included the signatures of Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Fla., Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va. and Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., the chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus.
"We ask that a full investigation of this case be ordered immediately," the letter said. "We are confident that during such an investigation you will find that these Border Patrol agents were acting within the scope of their duty and were unjustly prosecuted. Also, we ask that you use your power of presidential pardon, as granted by the United States Constitution in Article II, Section 2, to pardon these two Border Patrol agents. We understand these requests usually are for those that have already completed their sentences; however, we feel in this case it would be a miscarriage of justice to send these two Border Patrol agents to prison for protecting our nation's borders from an illegal drug smuggler."
Congressman hosts rally asking Bush to stop 'miscarriage of justice'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 20, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Art Moore
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Former U.S. Border Patrol agent Ignacio Ramos embraced his wife, Monica Ramos, two days before he was sentenced to 11 years in prison (Courtesy El Paso Times)A Border Patrol agent sentenced to prison along with his partner for shooting and wounding a man smuggling drugs into the U.S. will appear with a congressman tomorrow at a rally asking President Bush to offer a pardon.
Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos, were sentenced to 12 years and 11 years, respectively, in October by U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Cardone in El Paso, Texas. The drug smuggler was granted immunity for his testimony.
Compean will be joined by family; Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R, Calif.; Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist; and members of other border-security groups such as Friends of the Border Patrol at the courthouse in Santa Ana, Calif., at 10:30 a.m. Pacific time tomorrow.
Rohrabacher, noting the president already has received a letter about the case from more than 50 Congress members, is asking Americans to sign petitions and send e-mails and letters to the White House requesting a "Christmas pardon."
Grassfire.org has an online petition calling on Bush to pardon the agents, with more than 130,000 signatures.
"This is the greatest miscarriage of justice that I've seen in my career," Rohrabacher told WND. "Two brave Border Patrol agents trying to enforce the president's nonsensical border policy ending up being sent to prison, while an illegal alien drug smuggler is given immunity and walks free."
Compean's sister, of Huntington Beach, lives in Rohrabacher's Southern California district.
The White House has not responded to the letter, according to Rohrabacher, and did not follow up a request from WND for comment. Press secretary Tony Snow has said he cannot comment on presidential pardons.
Gilchrist said what has happened to the two agents is "atrocious," with "their lifes being ruined, their families being put in turmoil."
"We would expect the president to give a full and unconditional pardon to these two wrongly arrested, wrongly accused, wrongly convicted members of law enforcement," he told WND, "and retroactive pay and benefits they've lost over the past two years since they were originally arrested."
As WND has reported, a federal jury convicted Compean, 28, and Ramos, 37, in March after a two-week trial on charges of causing serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and a civil rights violation.
Ramos is an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve and a former nominee for Border Patrol Agent of the Year.
On Feb. 17, 2005, Ramos responded to a request for back-up from Compean, who noticed a suspicious van near the levee road along the Rio Grande River near the Texas town of Fabens, about 40 miles east of El Paso. A third agent also joined the pursuit.
Fleeing was an illegal alien, Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila of Mexico. Unknown to the growing number of Border Patrol agents converging on Fabens, Aldrete-Davila's van was carrying 800 pounds of marijuana.
Aldrete-Davila stopped the van on a levee, jumped out and started running toward the river. When he reached the other side of the levee, he was met by Compean who had anticipated the smuggler's attempt to get back to Mexico.
"We both yelled out for him to stop, but he wouldn't stop, and he just kept running," Ramos told California's Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
"At some point during the time where I'm crossing the canal, I hear shots being fired," Ramos said. "Later, I see Compean on the ground, but I keep running after the smuggler."
At that point, Ramos said, Aldrete-Davila turned toward him, pointing what looked like a gun.
"I shot," Ramos said. "But I didn't think he was hit, because he kept running into the brush and then disappeared into it. Later, we all watched as he jumped into a van waiting for him. He seemed fine. It didn't look like he had been hit at all."
The U.S. government filed charges against Ramos and Compean after giving full immunity to Aldrete-Davila and paying for his medical treatment at an El Paso hospital.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas issued a statement in September arguing "the defendants were prosecuted because they had fired their weapons at a man who had attempted to surrender by holding his open hands in the air, at which time Agent Compean attempted to hit the man with the butt of Compean's shotgun, causing the man to run in fear of what the agents would do to him next."
The statement said, "Although both agents saw that the man was not armed, the agents fired at least 15 rounds at him while he was running away from them, hitting him once."
Andy Ramirez of Friends of the Border Patrol said the drug smuggler has "fully contributed to the destruction of two brave agents and their families and has sent a very loud message to the other Border Patrol agents: If you confront a smuggler, this is what will happen to you."
The letter to Bush included the signatures of Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Fla., Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va. and Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., the chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus.
"We ask that a full investigation of this case be ordered immediately," the letter said. "We are confident that during such an investigation you will find that these Border Patrol agents were acting within the scope of their duty and were unjustly prosecuted. Also, we ask that you use your power of presidential pardon, as granted by the United States Constitution in Article II, Section 2, to pardon these two Border Patrol agents. We understand these requests usually are for those that have already completed their sentences; however, we feel in this case it would be a miscarriage of justice to send these two Border Patrol agents to prison for protecting our nation's borders from an illegal drug smuggler."
Ahmadineajd: Iran now nuclear power
Ahmadineajd: Iran now nuclear power
Iranian president: Our scienists have reached zenith, accessed nuclear fuel cycle
Yaakov Lappin Published: 12.20.06, 13:14
Iran is now a "nuclear power," its President, Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, delcared Wednesday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency .
During a speech delivered in the Western Iranian province of Javanroud, Ahmadinejad said: " The Islamic Republic of Iran is now a nuclear power, thanks to the hard work of the Iranian people and authorities."
The announcement of Iran as a "nuclear power" is bound to significantly escalate tensions between the West and Iran, and marks a dramatic stage in the Islamic Republic's nuclear campaign.
In recent days, the US military has begun to build up forces around the Gulf, in what is being seen as as a warning to Iran.
Ahmadinejad was also reported to have announced that "Iranian young scientists reached the zenith of science and technology and gained access to the nuclear fuel cycle without the help of big powers."
The Iranian president began the speech by saying that "the powerful Iranian nation resists bullying powers and will defend its rights, including the right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology," the IRNA said.
In a clear rejection of all diplomatic attempts to prevent Iran from going nuclear, Ahmadinejad added in his speech that "the Iranian nation will continue in its nuclear path powerfully and will celebrate a nuclear victory soon."
The IRNA said Ahmadinejad was in Javanroud for a three-day tour along with members of his cabinet.
Iranian president: Our scienists have reached zenith, accessed nuclear fuel cycle
Yaakov Lappin Published: 12.20.06, 13:14
Iran is now a "nuclear power," its President, Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, delcared Wednesday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency .During a speech delivered in the Western Iranian province of Javanroud, Ahmadinejad said: " The Islamic Republic of Iran is now a nuclear power, thanks to the hard work of the Iranian people and authorities."
The announcement of Iran as a "nuclear power" is bound to significantly escalate tensions between the West and Iran, and marks a dramatic stage in the Islamic Republic's nuclear campaign.
In recent days, the US military has begun to build up forces around the Gulf, in what is being seen as as a warning to Iran.
Ahmadinejad was also reported to have announced that "Iranian young scientists reached the zenith of science and technology and gained access to the nuclear fuel cycle without the help of big powers."
The Iranian president began the speech by saying that "the powerful Iranian nation resists bullying powers and will defend its rights, including the right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology," the IRNA said.
In a clear rejection of all diplomatic attempts to prevent Iran from going nuclear, Ahmadinejad added in his speech that "the Iranian nation will continue in its nuclear path powerfully and will celebrate a nuclear victory soon."
The IRNA said Ahmadinejad was in Javanroud for a three-day tour along with members of his cabinet.
Jesus, Mahdi both coming, says Iran's Ahmadinejad
Jesus, Mahdi both coming, says Iran's Ahmadinejad
In New Year's greeting to Christians worldwide asks what Christ would do if he were here today?
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
In a greeting to the world's Christians for the coming new year, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he expects both Jesus and the Shiite messianic figure, Imam Mahdi, to return and "wipe away oppression."
"I wish all the Christians a very happy new year and I wish to ask them a question as well," said Ahmadinejad, according to an Iranian Student News Agency report cited by YnetNews.com
"My one question from the Christians is: What would Jesus do if he were present in the world today? What would he do before some of the oppressive powers of the world who are in fact residing in Christian countries? Which powers would he revive and which of them would he destroy?" asked the Iranian leader.
"If Jesus were present today, who would be facing him and who would be following him?"
Ahmadinejad then made a connection between Jesus and the Imam Mahdi, believed by Shiites to have disappeared as a child in A.D. 941. When the Mahdi returns, they contend, he will reign on earth for seven years before bringing about a final judgment and the end of the world.
"All I want to say is that the age of hardship, threat and spite will come to an end someday and, God willing, Jesus would return to the world along with the emergence of the descendant of the Islam's holy prophet, Imam Mahdi, and wipe away every tinge of oppression, pain and agony from the face of the world," Ahmadinejad said.
Ahmadinejad has been urging Iranians to prepare for the coming of the Mahdi by turning the country into a powerful and advanced Islamic society and by avoiding the corruption and excesses of the West.
He sees his main mission, as he recounted in a Nov. 16, 2005, speech in Tehran, as to "pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten his reappearance."
With Iran's continued development of nuclear technology in defiance of the West, some analysts fear Ahmadinejad's intent is to trigger the kind of global conflagration he envisions will set the stage for the end of the world.
Ahmadinejad hosted a conference last week examining whether the Nazi genocide took place, drawing Holocaust deniers from around the world. The Iranian president has described the Holocaust as a "myth" and called for Israel to be wiped off the map.
"The Zionist regime will be wiped out soon the same way the Soviet Union was, and humanity will achieve freedom." he said.
Last month, he said he believes the world is rapidly becoming "Ahmadinejadized," with global leaders following in his footsteps.
"I have traveled to all the continents except for one, and I know what is going on out there. Everybody is eager to hear the Iranian people's message," the Aftab-Yazd newspaper quoted the president as saying, according to Agence France-Presse. "The world is rapidly becoming Ahmadinejadized."
The hardliner said Iran's "two big missions are constructing the country and introducing a model for humanity."
In New Year's greeting to Christians worldwide asks what Christ would do if he were here today?
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
In a greeting to the world's Christians for the coming new year, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he expects both Jesus and the Shiite messianic figure, Imam Mahdi, to return and "wipe away oppression.""I wish all the Christians a very happy new year and I wish to ask them a question as well," said Ahmadinejad, according to an Iranian Student News Agency report cited by YnetNews.com
"My one question from the Christians is: What would Jesus do if he were present in the world today? What would he do before some of the oppressive powers of the world who are in fact residing in Christian countries? Which powers would he revive and which of them would he destroy?" asked the Iranian leader.
"If Jesus were present today, who would be facing him and who would be following him?"
Ahmadinejad then made a connection between Jesus and the Imam Mahdi, believed by Shiites to have disappeared as a child in A.D. 941. When the Mahdi returns, they contend, he will reign on earth for seven years before bringing about a final judgment and the end of the world.
"All I want to say is that the age of hardship, threat and spite will come to an end someday and, God willing, Jesus would return to the world along with the emergence of the descendant of the Islam's holy prophet, Imam Mahdi, and wipe away every tinge of oppression, pain and agony from the face of the world," Ahmadinejad said.
Ahmadinejad has been urging Iranians to prepare for the coming of the Mahdi by turning the country into a powerful and advanced Islamic society and by avoiding the corruption and excesses of the West.
He sees his main mission, as he recounted in a Nov. 16, 2005, speech in Tehran, as to "pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten his reappearance."
With Iran's continued development of nuclear technology in defiance of the West, some analysts fear Ahmadinejad's intent is to trigger the kind of global conflagration he envisions will set the stage for the end of the world.
Ahmadinejad hosted a conference last week examining whether the Nazi genocide took place, drawing Holocaust deniers from around the world. The Iranian president has described the Holocaust as a "myth" and called for Israel to be wiped off the map.
"The Zionist regime will be wiped out soon the same way the Soviet Union was, and humanity will achieve freedom." he said.
Last month, he said he believes the world is rapidly becoming "Ahmadinejadized," with global leaders following in his footsteps.
"I have traveled to all the continents except for one, and I know what is going on out there. Everybody is eager to hear the Iranian people's message," the Aftab-Yazd newspaper quoted the president as saying, according to Agence France-Presse. "The world is rapidly becoming Ahmadinejadized."
The hardliner said Iran's "two big missions are constructing the country and introducing a model for humanity."
Al-Qaeda Leader Captured in Iraq
Al-Qaeda Leader Captured in Iraq
CBN News
December 20, 2006
CBNNews. com - BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S.-led forces captured a senior al-Qaeda leader responsible for hundreds of civilian deaths and for sheltering multinational suicide bombers, the U.S. military announced Wednesday.
Without identifying him, the statement said the suspect was arrested on December 14 in Mosul, where he served as al-Qaeda's military chief in 2005 before assuming the same position in western Baghdad.
"The terrorist leader was attempting to flee from the location when coalition forces chased him across a street and detained him," the statement read.
"During that time, he coordinated car vehicle-borne improvised explosives device attacks and kidnap-for-ransom operations in Baghdad," the military said. It also cited reports stating that he organized an attempted attack on a U.S. military helicopter in May 2006.
"After a few months, he fled Baghdad due to coalition forces closing in on him," the statement said.
The military believes his capture will lead them closer to Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, who took over as leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq after his predecessor, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed in a U.S. airstrike last June.
Mouwafak al-Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser, said that 60 percent of al-Qaeda leadership in Iraq has been captured or killed.
Source: The Associated Press
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. © 2006
CBN News
December 20, 2006
CBNNews. com - BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S.-led forces captured a senior al-Qaeda leader responsible for hundreds of civilian deaths and for sheltering multinational suicide bombers, the U.S. military announced Wednesday.Without identifying him, the statement said the suspect was arrested on December 14 in Mosul, where he served as al-Qaeda's military chief in 2005 before assuming the same position in western Baghdad.
"The terrorist leader was attempting to flee from the location when coalition forces chased him across a street and detained him," the statement read.
"During that time, he coordinated car vehicle-borne improvised explosives device attacks and kidnap-for-ransom operations in Baghdad," the military said. It also cited reports stating that he organized an attempted attack on a U.S. military helicopter in May 2006.
"After a few months, he fled Baghdad due to coalition forces closing in on him," the statement said.
The military believes his capture will lead them closer to Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, who took over as leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq after his predecessor, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed in a U.S. airstrike last June.
Mouwafak al-Rubaie, Iraq's national security adviser, said that 60 percent of al-Qaeda leadership in Iraq has been captured or killed.
Source: The Associated Press
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. © 2006
Encourage someone in jail just for being Christian!
Encourage someone in jail just for being Christian!
Voice of the Martyrs outreach sends messages of hope and support
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
When Pastor Hamid Pourmand, a former Iranian army colonel, was accused of apostasy from Islam and proselytizing Muslims to Christianity, both charges punishable by death, he appeared before an Islamic judge with his life hanging in the balance.
"I don't know who you are, but the rest of the world does," the judge said, and acquitted him of the counts.
That decision came even though he'd been a Christian for more than two decades and during his extensive military career had had his superiors acknowledge a number of times he was a Christian, even to the point of excusing him from observing Muslim fasting requirements, according to a program offered by The Voice of the Martyrs.
The judge's comments were reported by Compass Direct, and clearly acknowledged the influence that outsiders have into the workings even of an Islamic court, the VOM said. The VOM program is called PrisonerAlert.com and allows Christians around the world to send their prayers to jailed Christians, and their concerns to government officials.
Pourmand earlier had been convicted of deceiving Iranian armed forces and was sentenced to three years in jail. However, when it apostasy count was brought into court, he was released.
The website includes information about prisoners who have been detained because of their Christianity, the accusations against them and their circumstances, when those are available. It also has a section listing the prisoners who have been released.
Prisoners always need encouragement and the program is set up to print out letters that can be mailed to them in their own languages. VOM just reminds people not to make reference to that Christian organization, or any other group, since those imprisoned for their Christian faith often are accused of having connections to foreign organizations, and could get a stiffer penalty.
Letters to government officials on behalf of jailed Christians also are encouraged. The website guidelines are simple: be brief, clear and polite, talk about your general concern for persecuted believers.
In all cases, writers should AVOID politics or statements critical of the various governments.
Examples of letters that have been sent include:
"Dear Sir: We are thankful that your law in Vietnam allows freedom of religion. However, we heard that a man named _____ was put in the prison at _____. We are concerned about this and about his welfare. We would like to ask you to please give your attention to this matter. Thank you very much."
"To Whom It May Concern: Last month, _____, a Christian, was arrested and charged with (the charge). He was given a (length of term) prison sentence. We ask that you release him. Thank you."
"Dear Sir, Last year, _____, was arrested for _____. The story of this case has been circulated around the world and thousands of Christians know about it. We ask that he be released from all charges. We are praying for you as a leading spokesman for your country."
Another success story was the account of Rhanja Masih, who was acquitted just last month by the Lahore High Court in Pakistan. He had been arrested in 1998 during a Christian funeral procession and sentenced to life in prison on blasphemy.
The judge at the end of his two-hour appeal hearing concluded there was no solid evidence against him and he must be acquitted.
For letters to those jailed, Voice of the Martyrs has programming that allows various phrases and Scripture verses to be translated into the language the inmate reads.
"We also invite you to personalize your letter with a postcard or family photo. Attractive Christian greeting cards are especially cherished," VOM said. "Christian prisoners are generally not allowed to write letters; however, if you put your return address on your letter, it may fall into the hands of family members, attorneys, or other acquaintances, whom VOM knows nothing about."
The group also said it's not uncommon for those living in restricted nations to write those in the West asking for money. "We DO NOT encourage individuals to send funds directly …. Through VOM's Families of Martyrs Fund, we are able to provide assistance to these Christians in an appropriate manner."
"Around the world today Christians are being persecuted for their faith. More than 70 million Christians have been martyred for their faith since 33 AD. This year an estimated 160,000 believers will die at the hands of their oppressors and over 200 million will be persecuted, arrested, tortured, beaten or jailed. In many nations it is illegal to own a Bible, share your faith, change your faith or allow children under 18 to attend a religious service," the website said.
Among the nearly 50 nations where Christians are being persecuted in 2006 are Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Burma, Tajikistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, Brunei, Indonesia, Nigeria, China, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cuba and Somalia.
More information about those nations, their Christians, and the persecution is available at VOM website.
VOM is a non-profit, interdenominational ministry working worldwide to help Christians who are persecuted for their faith, and to educate the world about that persecution. Its headquarters are in Bartlesville, Okla., and it has 30 affiliated international offices.
It was launched by the late Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, who started smuggling Russian Gospels into Russia in 1947, just months before Richard was abducted and imprisoned in Romania where he was tortured for his refusal to recant Christianity.
He eventually was released in 1964 and the next year he testified about the persecution of Christians before the U.S. Senate's Internal Security Subcommittee, stripping to the waist to show the deep torture wound scars on his body.
The group that later was renamed The Voice of the Martyrs was organized in 1967, when his book, "Tortured for Christ," was released.
Voice of the Martyrs outreach sends messages of hope and support
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
When Pastor Hamid Pourmand, a former Iranian army colonel, was accused of apostasy from Islam and proselytizing Muslims to Christianity, both charges punishable by death, he appeared before an Islamic judge with his life hanging in the balance."I don't know who you are, but the rest of the world does," the judge said, and acquitted him of the counts.
That decision came even though he'd been a Christian for more than two decades and during his extensive military career had had his superiors acknowledge a number of times he was a Christian, even to the point of excusing him from observing Muslim fasting requirements, according to a program offered by The Voice of the Martyrs.
The judge's comments were reported by Compass Direct, and clearly acknowledged the influence that outsiders have into the workings even of an Islamic court, the VOM said. The VOM program is called PrisonerAlert.com and allows Christians around the world to send their prayers to jailed Christians, and their concerns to government officials.
Pourmand earlier had been convicted of deceiving Iranian armed forces and was sentenced to three years in jail. However, when it apostasy count was brought into court, he was released.
The website includes information about prisoners who have been detained because of their Christianity, the accusations against them and their circumstances, when those are available. It also has a section listing the prisoners who have been released.
Prisoners always need encouragement and the program is set up to print out letters that can be mailed to them in their own languages. VOM just reminds people not to make reference to that Christian organization, or any other group, since those imprisoned for their Christian faith often are accused of having connections to foreign organizations, and could get a stiffer penalty.
Letters to government officials on behalf of jailed Christians also are encouraged. The website guidelines are simple: be brief, clear and polite, talk about your general concern for persecuted believers.
In all cases, writers should AVOID politics or statements critical of the various governments.
Examples of letters that have been sent include:
"Dear Sir: We are thankful that your law in Vietnam allows freedom of religion. However, we heard that a man named _____ was put in the prison at _____. We are concerned about this and about his welfare. We would like to ask you to please give your attention to this matter. Thank you very much."
"To Whom It May Concern: Last month, _____, a Christian, was arrested and charged with (the charge). He was given a (length of term) prison sentence. We ask that you release him. Thank you."
"Dear Sir, Last year, _____, was arrested for _____. The story of this case has been circulated around the world and thousands of Christians know about it. We ask that he be released from all charges. We are praying for you as a leading spokesman for your country."
Another success story was the account of Rhanja Masih, who was acquitted just last month by the Lahore High Court in Pakistan. He had been arrested in 1998 during a Christian funeral procession and sentenced to life in prison on blasphemy.
The judge at the end of his two-hour appeal hearing concluded there was no solid evidence against him and he must be acquitted.
For letters to those jailed, Voice of the Martyrs has programming that allows various phrases and Scripture verses to be translated into the language the inmate reads.
"We also invite you to personalize your letter with a postcard or family photo. Attractive Christian greeting cards are especially cherished," VOM said. "Christian prisoners are generally not allowed to write letters; however, if you put your return address on your letter, it may fall into the hands of family members, attorneys, or other acquaintances, whom VOM knows nothing about."
The group also said it's not uncommon for those living in restricted nations to write those in the West asking for money. "We DO NOT encourage individuals to send funds directly …. Through VOM's Families of Martyrs Fund, we are able to provide assistance to these Christians in an appropriate manner."
"Around the world today Christians are being persecuted for their faith. More than 70 million Christians have been martyred for their faith since 33 AD. This year an estimated 160,000 believers will die at the hands of their oppressors and over 200 million will be persecuted, arrested, tortured, beaten or jailed. In many nations it is illegal to own a Bible, share your faith, change your faith or allow children under 18 to attend a religious service," the website said.
Among the nearly 50 nations where Christians are being persecuted in 2006 are Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Burma, Tajikistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, Brunei, Indonesia, Nigeria, China, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cuba and Somalia.
More information about those nations, their Christians, and the persecution is available at VOM website.
VOM is a non-profit, interdenominational ministry working worldwide to help Christians who are persecuted for their faith, and to educate the world about that persecution. Its headquarters are in Bartlesville, Okla., and it has 30 affiliated international offices.
It was launched by the late Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, who started smuggling Russian Gospels into Russia in 1947, just months before Richard was abducted and imprisoned in Romania where he was tortured for his refusal to recant Christianity.
He eventually was released in 1964 and the next year he testified about the persecution of Christians before the U.S. Senate's Internal Security Subcommittee, stripping to the waist to show the deep torture wound scars on his body.
The group that later was renamed The Voice of the Martyrs was organized in 1967, when his book, "Tortured for Christ," was released.
Secret police crack down on home-church movement
Secret police crack down on home-church movement
Iranian pastors summoned by authorities, arrested and detained
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 20, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
The multilingual Point Final website has confirmed that eight Christians who are part of an evangelical home-church group in Iran have been arrested.
The report said the Iranian Secret Service also investigated the homes of several of the Christians who belong to the churches who emphasize only Jesus in their worship, and of the eight summoned to police headquarters in several cities, six are pastors, and all were arrested.
The report said the arrests are the latest attacks on the churches, whose members have been dismissed from their jobs and had their homes searched, in what apparently has been a systematic effort by authorities.
One woman even spent a night in a "sinister" Secret Service prison after attending a party at the embassy of Ivory Coast, the report said.
Another believer, Issa Motamadi, was held in prison for several weeks after giving his son a Christian name, the report said. In Iran, a child given a Christian name is spared, later in life, from allegations of the death-penalty carrying apostasy, but Iranian authorities also continue to impose Islamic education on children.
The report said the home churches involved also are the subject of a campaign to discredit them in the perception of the West, with accusations of heresy and misappropriation of funds, the report said.
The report confirmed the group does hold beliefs that do not align with typical Trinity-based evangelicals in the West, based on their interpretation that no human organization has the right to define God.
But "under such critical situation, we should set aside some minor [theological] nuances that risk [creating] unnecessary divisions between Christians," the report said.
"Instead, we need to focus on the fact that brothers and sisters in Iran are facing death sentence because of their faith in Jesus Christ. This is an hour for unity, not for theoretical debates," the report said.
The government's main concern apparently continues to be the group's efforts to evangelize in a nation where converting from Islam to Christianity still is a death-penalty offense.
The report identified those arrested as Behnam Irani, a pastor in Karaj; his brother Bahman Irani; Teheran pastor Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani; his sister Chirine Sadegh-Khandjani; Rasht pastor Yussef Nadarkhani; Parviz Khalaj, an elder who is in charge of new Christians in Rasht; Rasht associate pastor Mohammad Reza-Taghizadeh; and Teheran preacher Hamid Toolooinya.
According to a report from Compass Direct, two of those arrested from the religious community estimated at several hundred were released later, but the community also was warned not to give any news about the situation to those outside of Iran.
Iranian pastors summoned by authorities, arrested and detained
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 20, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
The multilingual Point Final website has confirmed that eight Christians who are part of an evangelical home-church group in Iran have been arrested.
The report said the Iranian Secret Service also investigated the homes of several of the Christians who belong to the churches who emphasize only Jesus in their worship, and of the eight summoned to police headquarters in several cities, six are pastors, and all were arrested.
The report said the arrests are the latest attacks on the churches, whose members have been dismissed from their jobs and had their homes searched, in what apparently has been a systematic effort by authorities.
One woman even spent a night in a "sinister" Secret Service prison after attending a party at the embassy of Ivory Coast, the report said.
Another believer, Issa Motamadi, was held in prison for several weeks after giving his son a Christian name, the report said. In Iran, a child given a Christian name is spared, later in life, from allegations of the death-penalty carrying apostasy, but Iranian authorities also continue to impose Islamic education on children.
The report said the home churches involved also are the subject of a campaign to discredit them in the perception of the West, with accusations of heresy and misappropriation of funds, the report said.
The report confirmed the group does hold beliefs that do not align with typical Trinity-based evangelicals in the West, based on their interpretation that no human organization has the right to define God.
But "under such critical situation, we should set aside some minor [theological] nuances that risk [creating] unnecessary divisions between Christians," the report said.
"Instead, we need to focus on the fact that brothers and sisters in Iran are facing death sentence because of their faith in Jesus Christ. This is an hour for unity, not for theoretical debates," the report said.
The government's main concern apparently continues to be the group's efforts to evangelize in a nation where converting from Islam to Christianity still is a death-penalty offense.
The report identified those arrested as Behnam Irani, a pastor in Karaj; his brother Bahman Irani; Teheran pastor Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani; his sister Chirine Sadegh-Khandjani; Rasht pastor Yussef Nadarkhani; Parviz Khalaj, an elder who is in charge of new Christians in Rasht; Rasht associate pastor Mohammad Reza-Taghizadeh; and Teheran preacher Hamid Toolooinya.
According to a report from Compass Direct, two of those arrested from the religious community estimated at several hundred were released later, but the community also was warned not to give any news about the situation to those outside of Iran.
The real story of Seattle's Christmas trees
The real story of Seattle's Christmas trees
Disagreement focuses on whether decorations are religious or secular
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 20, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
There's been a huge uproar over the Christmas trees at the Seattle airport being taken down – and then put up again – when a rabbi asked to have a menorah included in the facility's seasonal display.
But WND has discovered that neither side had any dispute with the Christmas trees themselves, and the whole disagreement stemmed from the fact the airport considers the trees secular ornaments to the season.
That means, airport spokeswoman Terri-Ann Betancourt says, they are allowed under airport policy. But the menorah, which is a "religious" display, is not. She told WND when airport officials first got the request for the menorah several weeks ago, they considered, but refused, because of that policy.
But they did agree to review their "no-religion" decoration policy before next year "and that's exactly what we're doing," she said. She told WND a team of advisers now is being put together to make a recommendation on changes.
The Christmas tree is allowable because it is "completely" secular, she told WND. "There is nothing religious in our airport, no crosses, no Nativities, just lights and ribbons on the trees, no angels on the tops."
The menorah, other the other hand, is religious, she said.
Whatever the airport considers the tree, the history is commonly attributed to a "Christianization" of the pagan customs of using evergreens or their branches to celebrate at a mid-winter holiday.
One report attributes the beginnings of the Christmas tree to 1,000 years ago when St. Boniface found a group of pagans worshipping an oak. He cut it down and a fir sprouted from the roots. The first Christian use is credited to the 16th century when devout believers started bringing decorated trees into their homes.
However, the rabbi and his supporters who sought the menorah note that the menorah actually recalls a battle victory, more than 2,100 years ago, by a "militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun the Holy Land."
The disagreement over what is religious and what is not, however, hit the headlines as an "objection" to Christmas trees when Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement worked with attorney Harvey Grad to notify the airport of what may be determined to be a discriminatory policy, and the airport summarily removed those trees.
The lawyer had suggested the airport culminate weeks of telephone and e-mail exchanges with approval for the menorah, or a court action could be sought for an injunction allowing the display. The airport, Betancourt said, was busy with holiday travelers and had no time for a court battle.
Then when the rabbi contacted the airport later to assure he wouldn't seek legal action, the trees were restored, both sides agree.
Now Grad notes that the negative publicity created by reports that the rabbi was "offended" by the trees has taken on a life of its own. Jewish organizations in the Pacific Northwest have been advised to tighten their security because of e-mails, some carrying a load of hate.
"It's time to clear the air," Grad said in comments provided exclusively to WND. "The Rabbi was NEVER offended by the trees, and he NEVER asked that that the trees be removed."
Betancourt agreed. "The rabbi never asked and we never said the rabbi asked for the airport to remove the trees."
"America was founded on freedom of religion and, per United States law and the precedent of hundreds of municipalities country-wide, the rabbi simply wanted to put up a Menorah in the airport. My client NEVER asked or intended that the Christmas trees be removed!" Grad said.
His level of distress comes from the many reports that the rabbi was "offended" by the Christmas trees in the airport's lobbies and threatened to sue unless officials agreed to add a menorah.
Grad noted the story broke late on Dec. 8, the Sabbath, when the rabbi could not make himself available to talk to reporters. "Thus, it was initially – and subsequently continues – [to be] wrongly reported that the rabbi was offended by the trees,' Grad said.
One network report included this: "This week we were treated to the spectacle of an easily offended and highly offensive rabbi who walked into an airport, gazed upon Christmas trees all around him and suddenly was overwhelmed with an immense, and apparently irresistible, urge to sue the management of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport because nowhere among all the Christmas trees was a single menorah."
"Nothing could be further from the truth! What objection could we possibly have, since we asked to have the Menorah included along with the Christmas trees in the airport?" Grad said.
"Some of the news stories had an almost surreal quality to them: the rabbi would be quoted insisting that he has nothing against the trees, that he never in any way implied that he would sue to have the trees be removed, and that he is simply fighting for the right to put up a menorah; yet as he speaks, we see the news banner on the screen behind him: 'Rabbi Threatens Lawsuit; Christmas Trees Removed,'" wrote Yanki Tauber, the content editor of Chabad.org.
Grad said members of his faith and the organization of Chabad-Lubavitch, a branch of Hasidism whose members for hundreds of years have followed a philosophy that advocates refinement of actions through wisdom, comprehension and knowledge, had been talking since October to airport officials about the menorah display.
He said U.S. Supreme Court precedents support that display, and among the more than 11,000 public menorah displays around the world is one in the governor's mansion in Washington state.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan wrote to the organization: "As my Administration draws to a close, I want you and those of your fellow rabbis who accompanied you to the White House on December 1 to know that I was delighted to greet you and to accept the thoughtful gifts which you kindly brought me. It has been a pleasure each year to welcome you and your colleagues in the American Friends of Lubavitch on the occasion of Chanukah and to receive a beautiful menorah as an expression of your friendship. This symbol of your faith is a treasured keepsake of the valued support which I have enjoyed from the Lubavitchers over the years."
Grad indicated action had to be taken after the airport did not grant the requested permission.
"Chanukah was approaching, and we still had no word allowing us to place the Menorah in the airport. Thus, we asked that the Port move ahead with a positive decision to allow the display of the Menorah (since a federal court ruling) made it abundantly clear that the denial of a permit to display the Menorah justified an immediate injunction…"
After word of the dispute got out, a report on Seattle television noted that the Anti-Defamation League wrote synagogues, asking them to increase their security.
Robert Jacobs of the ADL's Pacific Northwest Regional office told the station Jewish groups were flooded with virulent e-mails, including some that officials did forward to police because of the nature of the statements.
Pat Davis, the president of the Port of Seattle commission, reported that the concern was that if the menorah had been added, there would have been requests to display other symbols of other religions and cultures, and airport workers couldn't do that.
So the port statement concluded that a "key element" in planning for next year will be to work with the rabbi "and other members of the community" on the plans.
The Chabad website said an e-mail has been written to return to those who contacted the group to unload their righteous anger. It says the removal of the trees was a "grave mistake" but then the "media early on jumped to conclusions" that contributed to the problem.
The group's members weren't expecting difficulty with the request for the menorah because "this same request has been filled at thousands of locations, beginning with the White House, with little or no controversy."
The group blamed the airport's "sorry pattern of double-talk, stonewalling, canceled meetings, and more" for the heightened disagreement.
"Frustrated with the obfuscation and continued foot-dragging, and sensing that something needed to be done to get the airport's attention to come to the table in time for the looming holiday – but still hopeful that when seated around the table airport authorities will appreciate the validity of the request – the rabbi's counsel held discussions with the airport's counsel for almost a full week," the e-mail says.
It was during that time the lawyer shared a "draft" of papers that could filed if no resolution was reached. Those papers convinced the airport to pull the trees, moving the controversy into the headlines.
Disagreement focuses on whether decorations are religious or secular
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: December 20, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
There's been a huge uproar over the Christmas trees at the Seattle airport being taken down – and then put up again – when a rabbi asked to have a menorah included in the facility's seasonal display.
But WND has discovered that neither side had any dispute with the Christmas trees themselves, and the whole disagreement stemmed from the fact the airport considers the trees secular ornaments to the season.
That means, airport spokeswoman Terri-Ann Betancourt says, they are allowed under airport policy. But the menorah, which is a "religious" display, is not. She told WND when airport officials first got the request for the menorah several weeks ago, they considered, but refused, because of that policy.
But they did agree to review their "no-religion" decoration policy before next year "and that's exactly what we're doing," she said. She told WND a team of advisers now is being put together to make a recommendation on changes.
The Christmas tree is allowable because it is "completely" secular, she told WND. "There is nothing religious in our airport, no crosses, no Nativities, just lights and ribbons on the trees, no angels on the tops."
The menorah, other the other hand, is religious, she said.
Whatever the airport considers the tree, the history is commonly attributed to a "Christianization" of the pagan customs of using evergreens or their branches to celebrate at a mid-winter holiday.
One report attributes the beginnings of the Christmas tree to 1,000 years ago when St. Boniface found a group of pagans worshipping an oak. He cut it down and a fir sprouted from the roots. The first Christian use is credited to the 16th century when devout believers started bringing decorated trees into their homes.
However, the rabbi and his supporters who sought the menorah note that the menorah actually recalls a battle victory, more than 2,100 years ago, by a "militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun the Holy Land."
The disagreement over what is religious and what is not, however, hit the headlines as an "objection" to Christmas trees when Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement worked with attorney Harvey Grad to notify the airport of what may be determined to be a discriminatory policy, and the airport summarily removed those trees.
The lawyer had suggested the airport culminate weeks of telephone and e-mail exchanges with approval for the menorah, or a court action could be sought for an injunction allowing the display. The airport, Betancourt said, was busy with holiday travelers and had no time for a court battle.
Then when the rabbi contacted the airport later to assure he wouldn't seek legal action, the trees were restored, both sides agree.
Now Grad notes that the negative publicity created by reports that the rabbi was "offended" by the trees has taken on a life of its own. Jewish organizations in the Pacific Northwest have been advised to tighten their security because of e-mails, some carrying a load of hate.
"It's time to clear the air," Grad said in comments provided exclusively to WND. "The Rabbi was NEVER offended by the trees, and he NEVER asked that that the trees be removed."
Betancourt agreed. "The rabbi never asked and we never said the rabbi asked for the airport to remove the trees."
"America was founded on freedom of religion and, per United States law and the precedent of hundreds of municipalities country-wide, the rabbi simply wanted to put up a Menorah in the airport. My client NEVER asked or intended that the Christmas trees be removed!" Grad said.
His level of distress comes from the many reports that the rabbi was "offended" by the Christmas trees in the airport's lobbies and threatened to sue unless officials agreed to add a menorah.
Grad noted the story broke late on Dec. 8, the Sabbath, when the rabbi could not make himself available to talk to reporters. "Thus, it was initially – and subsequently continues – [to be] wrongly reported that the rabbi was offended by the trees,' Grad said.
One network report included this: "This week we were treated to the spectacle of an easily offended and highly offensive rabbi who walked into an airport, gazed upon Christmas trees all around him and suddenly was overwhelmed with an immense, and apparently irresistible, urge to sue the management of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport because nowhere among all the Christmas trees was a single menorah."
"Nothing could be further from the truth! What objection could we possibly have, since we asked to have the Menorah included along with the Christmas trees in the airport?" Grad said.
"Some of the news stories had an almost surreal quality to them: the rabbi would be quoted insisting that he has nothing against the trees, that he never in any way implied that he would sue to have the trees be removed, and that he is simply fighting for the right to put up a menorah; yet as he speaks, we see the news banner on the screen behind him: 'Rabbi Threatens Lawsuit; Christmas Trees Removed,'" wrote Yanki Tauber, the content editor of Chabad.org.
Grad said members of his faith and the organization of Chabad-Lubavitch, a branch of Hasidism whose members for hundreds of years have followed a philosophy that advocates refinement of actions through wisdom, comprehension and knowledge, had been talking since October to airport officials about the menorah display.
He said U.S. Supreme Court precedents support that display, and among the more than 11,000 public menorah displays around the world is one in the governor's mansion in Washington state.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan wrote to the organization: "As my Administration draws to a close, I want you and those of your fellow rabbis who accompanied you to the White House on December 1 to know that I was delighted to greet you and to accept the thoughtful gifts which you kindly brought me. It has been a pleasure each year to welcome you and your colleagues in the American Friends of Lubavitch on the occasion of Chanukah and to receive a beautiful menorah as an expression of your friendship. This symbol of your faith is a treasured keepsake of the valued support which I have enjoyed from the Lubavitchers over the years."
Grad indicated action had to be taken after the airport did not grant the requested permission.
"Chanukah was approaching, and we still had no word allowing us to place the Menorah in the airport. Thus, we asked that the Port move ahead with a positive decision to allow the display of the Menorah (since a federal court ruling) made it abundantly clear that the denial of a permit to display the Menorah justified an immediate injunction…"
After word of the dispute got out, a report on Seattle television noted that the Anti-Defamation League wrote synagogues, asking them to increase their security.
Robert Jacobs of the ADL's Pacific Northwest Regional office told the station Jewish groups were flooded with virulent e-mails, including some that officials did forward to police because of the nature of the statements.
Pat Davis, the president of the Port of Seattle commission, reported that the concern was that if the menorah had been added, there would have been requests to display other symbols of other religions and cultures, and airport workers couldn't do that.
So the port statement concluded that a "key element" in planning for next year will be to work with the rabbi "and other members of the community" on the plans.
The Chabad website said an e-mail has been written to return to those who contacted the group to unload their righteous anger. It says the removal of the trees was a "grave mistake" but then the "media early on jumped to conclusions" that contributed to the problem.
The group's members weren't expecting difficulty with the request for the menorah because "this same request has been filled at thousands of locations, beginning with the White House, with little or no controversy."
The group blamed the airport's "sorry pattern of double-talk, stonewalling, canceled meetings, and more" for the heightened disagreement.
"Frustrated with the obfuscation and continued foot-dragging, and sensing that something needed to be done to get the airport's attention to come to the table in time for the looming holiday – but still hopeful that when seated around the table airport authorities will appreciate the validity of the request – the rabbi's counsel held discussions with the airport's counsel for almost a full week," the e-mail says.
It was during that time the lawyer shared a "draft" of papers that could filed if no resolution was reached. Those papers convinced the airport to pull the trees, moving the controversy into the headlines.
Bush weighs increase in U.S. military strength
Bush weighs increase in U.S. military strength
President discusses Iraq war, a day after telling paper U.S. is ‘not winning’
MSNBC News Services
WASHINGTON - President Bush said on Wednesday he was weighing a short-term increase in U.S. troops in Iraq and believed that the United States should expand its Army and Marine Corps in the long term.
“I’m inclined to believe that we need to increase the permanent size of both the United States Army and the United States Marines,” Bush said at a news conference.
Summing up a year of setbacks, Bush conceded that insurgents in Iraq thwarted U.S. efforts at “establishing security and stability throughout the country.”
Looking to change course, Bush said he has not decided whether to order a short-term surge in U.S. troops in Iraq in hopes of gaining control of the violent and chaotic situation there.
The president spoke a day after he told a newspaper that the United States is not winning the war in Iraq, and as Robert Gates made his first visit to Iraq since being sworn in earlier in the week as defense secretary.
At his traditional year-end news conference, Bush also said the United States will “ask more of our Iraqi partners” in 2007, and he pledged to work with the new Democratic Congress, as well.
‘Grave and deteriorating’ situation
Bush sidestepped one question — whether he would order a so-called surge of troops in Iraq as a first-step toward gaining control of the violent and chaotic situation there. “Nice try,” he told a reporter who asked about his plans.
The Baker-Hamilton Commission recommended a quick buildup of troops as part of an overall plan to arrest what it called a “grave and deteriorating” situation in Iraq.
Bush also said the United States supports the creation of a unity government in Iraq.
Iraq dominated the news conference and the president didn’t wait for the first question before assessing the past 12 months. “2006 was a difficult year for our troops and the Iraqi people.”
He also said he supports a moderate coalition in Iraq, a new effort by the government to “marginalize the radical and extremists” in Iraq.
‘The enemies of liberty’
The president opened the question-and-answer session by conceding the obvious — things haven’t gone well in Iraq, where the United States has lost more than 2,900 troops in almost four years of war, without quelling the insurgency.
“The enemies of liberty ... carried out a deliberate strategy to foment sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shia. And over the course of the year they had success,” he said.
“Their success hurt our efforts to help the Iraqis rebuild their country. They set back reconciliation and kept Iraq’s unity government and our coalition from establishing security and stability throughout the country.”
Bush also explained a striking shift in position in the Washington Post interview.
He said his earlier comments were meant to say that, “I believe that we’re going to win, I believe that ... My comments yesterday reflected the fact that we’re not succeeding nearly as fast as I had wanted.”
‘The calling of our generation’
Bush was asked whether he was like Lyndon Johnson, who had difficulty sleeping during the difficult days of the Vietnam War.
In response, the president said it was difficult knowing that “my decisions have caused young men and women to lose their lives.” And yet, he said, the United States must prevail in the global war on terror—and will.
It “is the calling of our generation,” he said.
On domestic politics, Bush said that he supports a Democratic proposal to increase the U.S. minimum wage but said it should be coupled with tax and regulatory relief for small businesses.
“I believe we should do it in a way that does not punish the millions of small businesses that are creating most of the new jobs in our country,” Bush told a news conference. “So, I support pairing it with targeted tax and regulatory relief to help these small businesses stay competitive and to help keep our economy growing.”
Democrats, who took control of Congress in November elections, have said they will push to raise the minimum wage over two years to $7.25 per hour from $5.15 per hour.
Bush also said he saw an opening for compromise with the Democratic-controlled Congress that convenes on Jan. 4. He cited Social Security and immigration as two major areas in which common ground might be found. He also called for fresh efforts to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil.
Regarding foreign policy, the president repeated his insistence that Iran suspend its nuclear program if it wants to hold talks with the United States and he urged Syria to halt its involvement in Lebanon's affairs.
The Baker Commission had urged the administration to hold talks with the two nations, key neighbors of Iraq, as part of a strategy of improving the situation in the region.
Cheney's daughter?
The president also was asked about the pregnancy of Mary Cheney, the openly gay daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney.
“I know Mary and I like her and I know she is going to be a fine, loving mother,” said Bush. Neither he nor his questioner referred to Cheney’s partner.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this story.
© 2006 MSNBC.com
President discusses Iraq war, a day after telling paper U.S. is ‘not winning’
MSNBC News Services
WASHINGTON - President Bush said on Wednesday he was weighing a short-term increase in U.S. troops in Iraq and believed that the United States should expand its Army and Marine Corps in the long term.“I’m inclined to believe that we need to increase the permanent size of both the United States Army and the United States Marines,” Bush said at a news conference.
Summing up a year of setbacks, Bush conceded that insurgents in Iraq thwarted U.S. efforts at “establishing security and stability throughout the country.”
Looking to change course, Bush said he has not decided whether to order a short-term surge in U.S. troops in Iraq in hopes of gaining control of the violent and chaotic situation there.
The president spoke a day after he told a newspaper that the United States is not winning the war in Iraq, and as Robert Gates made his first visit to Iraq since being sworn in earlier in the week as defense secretary.
At his traditional year-end news conference, Bush also said the United States will “ask more of our Iraqi partners” in 2007, and he pledged to work with the new Democratic Congress, as well.
‘Grave and deteriorating’ situation
Bush sidestepped one question — whether he would order a so-called surge of troops in Iraq as a first-step toward gaining control of the violent and chaotic situation there. “Nice try,” he told a reporter who asked about his plans.
The Baker-Hamilton Commission recommended a quick buildup of troops as part of an overall plan to arrest what it called a “grave and deteriorating” situation in Iraq.
Bush also said the United States supports the creation of a unity government in Iraq.
Iraq dominated the news conference and the president didn’t wait for the first question before assessing the past 12 months. “2006 was a difficult year for our troops and the Iraqi people.”
He also said he supports a moderate coalition in Iraq, a new effort by the government to “marginalize the radical and extremists” in Iraq.
‘The enemies of liberty’
The president opened the question-and-answer session by conceding the obvious — things haven’t gone well in Iraq, where the United States has lost more than 2,900 troops in almost four years of war, without quelling the insurgency.
“The enemies of liberty ... carried out a deliberate strategy to foment sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shia. And over the course of the year they had success,” he said.
“Their success hurt our efforts to help the Iraqis rebuild their country. They set back reconciliation and kept Iraq’s unity government and our coalition from establishing security and stability throughout the country.”
Bush also explained a striking shift in position in the Washington Post interview.
He said his earlier comments were meant to say that, “I believe that we’re going to win, I believe that ... My comments yesterday reflected the fact that we’re not succeeding nearly as fast as I had wanted.”
‘The calling of our generation’
Bush was asked whether he was like Lyndon Johnson, who had difficulty sleeping during the difficult days of the Vietnam War.
In response, the president said it was difficult knowing that “my decisions have caused young men and women to lose their lives.” And yet, he said, the United States must prevail in the global war on terror—and will.
It “is the calling of our generation,” he said.
On domestic politics, Bush said that he supports a Democratic proposal to increase the U.S. minimum wage but said it should be coupled with tax and regulatory relief for small businesses.
“I believe we should do it in a way that does not punish the millions of small businesses that are creating most of the new jobs in our country,” Bush told a news conference. “So, I support pairing it with targeted tax and regulatory relief to help these small businesses stay competitive and to help keep our economy growing.”
Democrats, who took control of Congress in November elections, have said they will push to raise the minimum wage over two years to $7.25 per hour from $5.15 per hour.
Bush also said he saw an opening for compromise with the Democratic-controlled Congress that convenes on Jan. 4. He cited Social Security and immigration as two major areas in which common ground might be found. He also called for fresh efforts to reduce the United States’ dependence on foreign oil.
Regarding foreign policy, the president repeated his insistence that Iran suspend its nuclear program if it wants to hold talks with the United States and he urged Syria to halt its involvement in Lebanon's affairs.
The Baker Commission had urged the administration to hold talks with the two nations, key neighbors of Iraq, as part of a strategy of improving the situation in the region.
Cheney's daughter?
The president also was asked about the pregnancy of Mary Cheney, the openly gay daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney.
“I know Mary and I like her and I know she is going to be a fine, loving mother,” said Bush. Neither he nor his questioner referred to Cheney’s partner.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this story.
© 2006 MSNBC.com
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