Sunday, 31 Jan 2010 06:41 PM

From: NewsMax

By: Bradley A. Blakeman

Without the ingenuity of America’s brightest minds and the investment of
U.S. Taxpayer dollars, there would be no Internet, as we now know it today.

Now, the Obama administration has quietly moved to cede control of the web from the United States to foreign powers.

Some background. The Internet came into being thanks to the genius work ofAmerican’s, Dr.Robert E. Kahn and Dr. Vinton G. Cerf. These men while employed by the Department of Defense in the DARPA office, (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), in the early 1970’s, went to work conceiving, designingand implementing the idea of ‘open-architecture networking’. This breakthrough in connectivity and networking was the birth of the Internet.

These two gentlemen had the vision and the brainpower to create a worldwide computer Internet communications network that forever changed the world and how we communicate in it.

They discovered that by providing a person with a unique identifier,
(TCP/IP), which was able to be recognized and interact through a network of servers, all users then could communicate amongst themselves and with
others. The servers would recognize the identifier and connect networks-to-networks, (utilizing a series of giant servers), that would pass on information from computer to computer in a seamless real-time exchange of information. This new process of communication became know as the
‘information super highway’, a.k.a., the Internet.

Now for the bad news – in an effort to show the World how ‘inclusive’,
’sharing’, ‘cooperative’ and ‘international’ America can be, the Obama administration set off on a plan to surrender control and key management of
the Internet by the U.S. Department of Commerce and their agents.

The key to control America has over the Internet is through the management
of the Domain Name System and the giant servers that service the Internet.
Domain names are managed through an entity named IANA, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. The IANA operates on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The IANA is responsible for the global coordination of the DNS, IP addressing and other Internet protocol resources. In short, without an IP Address or other essential Internet protocols, a person or entity would not have access to the Internet.

For years the International Community has been pressuring the United States to surrender its control and management of the Internet. They want an International body such as the United Nations or even the International Telecommunications Union, (an entity that coordinates international telephone communications), to manage all aspects of the Internet in behalf of all nations.

The argument advanced for those seeking International control of the Internet is that the Internet has become such a ‘powerful’, ‘pervasive’, and a ‘dependent’ form of international communications, that it would be dangerous and inequitable for any one nation to control and manage it.

Just this past spring within months of Obama taking office, his administration, through the Department of Commerce, agreed to relinquish some control over IANA and their governance. The Obama Administration has agreed to give greater representation to foreign companies and countries on IANA.

This amounts to one small step for Internationalism and one giant leap for surrendering America¹s control over an invention we have every right and responsibility to control and manage.

It is in America¹s economic and national security interests NOT to relinquish any control we currently are responsible for regarding the control, operation and functionality of one of the modern world’s greatest inventions and most powerful communications network.

What better country to protect the Internet than the United States? We
invented it, and we paid for the research and implementation that made it
possible. We are the freest most tolerant nation on earth, we believe in the
fundamental right of free speech, and practice a free market of commerce and ideas.  America has always been against censorship and has shared its
invention with the world without fee or unreasonable or arbitrary restriction. The user fee to operate on the Internet is not one paid to the U.S. Government; a consumer pays it to private Internet companies, who provide access to the Internet through servers for their subscribers.

Look no further than the recent move by China against Google to censor the
Internet and you can envision what can happen when other nations less free
than the U.S. seek to control the Internet beyond even their own borders.

America needs to wake-up. If we lose control over the management of the
Internet, we have given away one of our Nations greatest assets with nothing
in return to show for it. The Obama Administration¹s current actions will
set in motion a slow and complete take-over of the Internet by the U.N. or
some other equally U.S. hostile and unfriendly international body. And, once
it is gone, it will be gone forever.

The surrender of the Internet will spell disaster for our nation, financially, as well as for a safety, security and our standing as a great power that values freedom and the free exchange of ideas and information.

As far as I am concerned, America is still the last best hope for a more
peaceful and prosperous world and our president should be not looking for
ways to weaken us, his job is to work to strengthen us and protect our
nations greatest asset our people’s creativity and ingenuity.  SOURCE: NEWS MAX

Bradley A. Blakeman was a Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush from 2001-20004 and currently teaches Public Policy & Politics & International Affairs at Georgetown University.

Restoration of Mosque symbolizes change

Written by:  Spc. Shantelle Campbell, 1st Infantry Division

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 13:0
SAMARRA – The Al-Askari (Golden) Mosque here was bombed Feb. 22, 2006, setting off a chain of sectarian violence in the city. Then, June 13, 2007, terrorists again attacked the mosque, destroying two minarets and the clock tower.

Despite the attacks on this prominent landmark and sacred mosque, the citizens here have made significant progress to restore peace.

During a recent visit to this ancient city, United States Forces – Iraq Deputy Commanding General for Operations, Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, walked along the city’s streets with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Commander, Col. Henry A. Arnold III, and the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment Commander, Lt. Col. Eric Timmerman.

As they made their way to the rooftop of a hotel across from the Golden Mosque, which is currently being rebuilt and restored to its original form, they couldn’t help but notice the evident change that has taken place in a city that was nearly destroyed by war.

In the past three years, violence has significantly decreased as Iraqi Security Forces have taken the lead to provide security of the city. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Arnold said the improvements that have been made in the city are a result of the citizens rejecting terrorists and the professionalism of the ISF.

There is a feeling of peace and security now, as markets are open and children are playing in the streets.

“The citizens are calling in reports,” he said during the interview. “The people have turned against violent extremists. I walk around in ACU’s and a soft cap; no body armor, no helmet. I walk to the mosque, something I would not have been able to do in 2006.”

US Marines turn over Al Anbar, exit Iraq

Written by:  Spc. Kayleigh Cannon, 82nd Airborne Division

Monday, January 25, 2010 12:28

RAMADI, IRAQ– A major indicator of the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq occurred here, Jan. 23, when the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) transferred authority of Iraq’s largest province to the U.S. Army’s 1st Armored Division, United States Division – Center.

The ceremony also marked the end of the nearly six-year U.S. Marine Corps command presence in Iraq and comes at a pivotal time when U.S. forces are transferring from combat to stability operations.

Before the ceremony, 1st AD’s area of operations encompassed Baghdad and its surrounded communities. With this historic transfer of authority, the division now also oversees the sprawling Al Anbar province in the west.

Since its activation as II MEF (Forward) July 2, 2008, the Marine division worked with the people of Al Anbar and tribal shaykhs to help secure peace and stability for the province and all of Iraq. The efforts of II MEF (Forward) built upon the developments made during two previous Marine Expeditionary Force rotations.

“This is a pivotal moment in the history of Iraq,” said Maj. Gen. R.T. Tryon, II MEF (Forward).

Marines have been at the heart of almost every major Iraq campaign period since February 2004, from the early battles in an-Najaf and Fallujah, along the western Euphrates River Valley which extends from Al Qa’im to Rawah; and continuing with the pivotal Awakening Movement which many historians and diplomatic experts credit as the turning of the tide against al Qaeda in Iraq.

“Since early 2004, the U.S. Marines serving in Al Anbar have consistently exemplified their motto, Semper Fi – Always Faithful,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, deputy commanding general for operations and I Corps commanding general, U.S. Forces – Iraq. “They have been especially faithful to the people of Al Anbar; the focal point of their mission in Iraq. Anbaris are resilient people who have sacrificed dearly but now emerge as stronger people.”

As the Marines say their goodbyes to the citizens and tribal leaders of Al Anbar, Iraqi Soldiers and Police in the region will begin working closely with 1st AD, under the continued leadership of 1st Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade) who have been operating there for about six months. Army leaders with 1st AD said they are eager to build on II MEF’s reputation; Tryon expressed confidence in their ability to do so.

“Today’s ceremony is certainly an example of continued positive change as we transition and consolidate U.S. forces under the flag of USD-C,” said Tryon. “Over the last several years, we have seen a logical and a desired progression in Anbar, moving from combat operations to counter insurgency operations, and now to stability operations.”

Tryon praised the efforts of the Iraqis and tribal shaykhs in Al Anbar for their courage in standing against tyranny and violence in their streets.

“These things have not been accomplished over the course of the past several years because of what U.S. forces have done alone,” said Tryon. “Rather, these achievements are a result of what we have done together in partnership with one another and with the leadership of the Iraqi civil sector.

“We see over and again that we are at our best when we partner together to achieve our mutual objectives and goals working side-by-side, hand-in-hand,” he said,” “learning from one another in accomplishing our mutual mission.”

The casing of the II MEF colors signified completion of the Marine Corps mission in Iraq. As the Marine color guard marched their colors off the stage, the Army color guard replaced them. Maj. Gen. Terry Wolff, 1st AD, USD-C commanding general, said the accomplishments of the Marines in the region will not be in vain.

“For many of us who have served with you on multiple tours across Iraq, we’ll never forget your sacrifices and all that you have given on our behalf,” he said.

He emphasized that his division will match Al Anbar’s changing environment by assisting the region’s tribal shaykhs and Iraqi Security Forces to ensure all Iraqis in the region enjoy the security and peace they deserve.

“Today is one of those transition points in the evolution of military operations as the 1st AD and USD-C takes over responsibility for partnering with Iraqi Security Forces and the provincial government of Al Anbar,” said Wolff. “As we move forward, we understand the importance of this year in Iraq, and the USD-C team has dedicated ourselves to that mission and the tasks ahead.”

Biden drops in on troops at dining facility

Written by: Sgt. Bryce Dubee, 2nd Infantry Division

Sunday, January 24, 2010 12:18

CAMP LIBERTY – U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met here with members of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division “Raiders” and other deployed service members and civilians Saturday as part of his visit this week to Iraq.

Taking time out of his busy schedule of meeting with Iraqi government officials and U.S. military leaders, Biden made a stop at the Raider Inn Dining Facility during dinner to chat with troops and pose for photos.

Biden was swarmed by service members and civilians eager to meet him as he was escorted through the bustling facility by Col. John Norris, the 4th SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. commander.

Expressing his appreciation for the hard work done by Soldiers, the vice president worked through the crowd, shaking hands with the troops and often pausing to hear from many of the Soldiers.

Biden said he hopes the American people understand the amount of hard work done by service members while deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the father of a Soldier.

The vice president said that even in the face of great adversity, such as the loss of a fellow Soldier, service members still “saddle back up” and head out the next day.

Norris expressed his appreciation for Biden’s visit with the brigade and for his strong support of his troops in the past.

“I thanked him for going to Fort Lewis for the [5th SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div.] ceremony,” he said.

The brigade’s sister unit, 5th SBCT, 2nd Inf. Div., has taken heavy losses during its deployment to Afghanistan and in November 2009, the vice president travelled to Fort Lewis, Wash., for a ceremony memorializing seven brigade Soldiers killed by a roadside bomb.

Norris reminded Biden about that visit.

“It’s really important to all of us that somebody of your stature recognizes those troops that have fallen,” he said.

State Department Continues Islamist Outreach

New booklet, “Being Muslim in America,” taps the wrong

messengers

IPT News
May 17, 2009
http://www.investigativeproject.org/1035/state-department-continues-islamist-outreach

With the United States battling Islamist extremists, making America’s case to Muslims around the world has never been more of a priority for policymakers. Unfortunately, the State Department continues to take a counterproductive approach: serving as a veritable infomercial promoting Islamist organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) while giving the back of the hand to the very anti-jihadist Muslims that Washington should be cultivating. The latest example is a State Department booklet issued in March titled “Being Muslim in America.”

It is part of an outreach effort that began under President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and is moving forward under President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The goal behind publication of the 64-page booklet is laudable: to arm consular officers and diplomats with information they can take to Muslims around the world to rebut slanders about U.S. “persecution” of Muslims. The booklet deluges readers with color pictures, statistical tables and individual profiles in an effort to show the world that American Muslims are a success story, noting that they have become entrepreneurs, professional athletes, entertainers, doctors, soldiers, firefighters, politicians, fashion designers, and pianists.

And as we’ll show in more detail below, many slanders against the United States come from the same groups that are portrayed favorably in the State Department booklet. The front cover has a picture of two Muslim girls playing basketball at a school near Detroit: One is wearing traditional dress, the other more modern dress. It’s no ordinary basketball game, because there’s a deeper sociopolitical message that Foggy Bottom wants to send to the world: The girls “compete fiercely on the basketball court in a sport that blends individual skills and team effort. They — along with the other men, women and children in the publication — demonstrate every day what it is like to be Muslim in America.” The booklet is replete with dozens of pictures of Muslims playing basketball, praying; talking about “diversity” at a mosque; attending interfaith gatherings “to celebrate diversity and tolerance,” and “brainstorm[ing] ways to solve problems in their community.” There is even a color-coded state-by-state map showing “Mosque Distribution in the United States.”

The purpose of publishing “Being Muslim in America” is “to disabuse people of wildly false myths of the United States — that ‘Muslims are repressed, marginalized, fill in the blanks,’ ” according to Michael Friedman, division chief of print publications with the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs, which is overseeing distribution of the publication. Although State doesn’t have a specific target number of copies that it is looking to sell or give away, Friedman said a similar 2002 State Department report titled “Muslim Life in America” had 400,000 print copies distributed worldwide and was translated into 28 languages. “It is conceivable that this one could reach that level,” he told IPT News.

In addition, both “Muslim Life in America” and “Being Muslim in America” are featured on State Department web sites, here and here.

Asked whether similar booklets had been produced for other faiths, Friedman said no. With limited funding available, decision was made to produce a publication on American Muslims because “the struggle against Islamic terrorism is a struggle for hearts and minds in the Muslim world,” he said.

Faulty Examples Showcased

Unfortunately, the substance of the booklet is so flawed that it could undermine the struggle against this form of radicalism. It perpetuates the mythology that American Muslims are united in the belief that law enforcement and the public are willing to flout innocent Muslims’ civil rights post-September 11, describing American Muslim reactions to the attacks as follows:

“A new, truly American Islam is emerging, shaped by American freedoms, but also by the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks — planned and executed by non-Americans — [which] raised suspicions among other Americans whose immediate responses, racial profiling among them, triggered in return a measure of Muslim-American alienation.”

Then:

“Sadly, suspicions of this kind are not uncommon — in the United States or in other nations – during wartime or when outside attack is feared. But 2008 is not 2002, when fears and suspicions were at their height. Context is also important: Every significant immigrant group has in the United States faced, and overcame, a degree of discrimination and resentment.”

This is an extremely tendentious, even intellectually dishonest, description of September 11 and its aftermath. From reading it, one would have no idea that there have been numerous convictions and guilty pleas on terrorism-related charges since September 11 that involved Muslims living in the United States, including terrorist plots to attack the military base at Ft. Dix, N.J., to create a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon and to attack U.S. military and Jewish targets in California.

Also omitted from the booklet is the fact that organizations like CAIR and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) were listed by the government as unindicted co-conspirators in the federal government’s prosecution of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) — in which the Justice Department won convictions of five former HLF officials for providing money to the terrorist organization Hamas. But from reading this passage in “Being Muslim in America,” one would get the impression that public concern about Islamist terror has no basis in reality and is merely the result of backward Americans’ “discrimination and resentment.”

One picture on page 15 of the booklet shows people marching under a CAIR banner and has a caption reading: “Muslims march to support volunteerism.” The identical picture appeared at the top of CAIR’s website when IPT News accessed it May 15.

In reality, CAIR was created as a front for Hamas and it has defended radical Islamists since 1994. See the IPT dossier on CAIR here.

CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad typifies this see-no-evil attitude toward jihadist terror. He has repeatedly defended the HLF. At a May 2003 forum at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, an audience member commented that the Justice Department has released reams of information showing that the HLF and another charity whose assets were frozen “have direct connections and in fact their leadership was the leadership of al Qaeda and Hamas.” Awad replied: “I am sure if we…put under the microscope, every major civic or political organization in this country, including the Red Cross, you will see that some dollars went here and there in some country, but you don’t shut down the entire operation of the Red Cross.”

CAIR officials dismissed the verdict of 12 jurors in HLF’s Hamas-financing trial as “based more on fear-mongering than on the facts” and predicted it would be overturned on appeal.

Awad has steadfastly defended Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) supporter Sami Al-Arian, despite evidence that Al-Arian served on the PIJ governing board. Al-Arian is fighting a criminal contempt charge, triggered by his refusal to testify before a federal grand jury investigating terror financing in Virginia despite a grant of immunity. He claims his 2006 plea agreement to conspiring to provide goods and services to the PIJ absolved him of any future testimony, be it voluntary or compelled by subpoena. The plea agreement itself contains no such language. U.S. District Judge James S. Moody blasted Al-Arian as a “master manipulator” at his sentencing in the PIJ support case, saying Al-Arian lied to the public about his PIJ support.

Yet, during an August 2008 forum on the contempt case, Awad argued it was motivated by bigotry against Muslims:
“And I believe he’s being punished for this, belonging to a minority – Palestinian, Arab, Muslim in America is not like the best thing to be in America today. So he’s being the victim of this malicious misunderstanding in this midst of increased Islamophobia in America.”

Click here to continue reading this article.

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MORE THAN 1,000 SYRIAN LEADERS ATTEND PREMIERE OF GOSPEL FILM

Also: I’ll be on Glenn Beck’s radio and TV shows on Wednesday.

(Virginia Beach, Virginia, March 10, 2009) — This morning on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “700 Club,” I was interviewed about Inside The Revolution. I spoke about the Iranian nuclear threat to the U.S. and Israel, as well as the good news from Iran — that more than 1 million Shia Muslims there have come to faith in Jesus Christ over the past thirty years.

Just before lunch, I spoke to several hundred CBN employees about some of the amazing stories I have personally witnessed of how the God of the Bible is transforming lives throughout the Muslim world, and spreading the message of the gospel throughout the epicenter.

Just after I spoke, I receive an email from a friend in the Middle East with the latest piece of good news from that region. Last week, as you’ll recall, I alerted you to the fact that a major motion picture about the life of the Apostle Paul and how he came to faith in Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus was going to premiere in the Syrian capital. I also asked you to pray that God would bless the showing of the film entitled, Damascus.

Let me report that your prayers have been answered. More than 1,000 Syrian political, business, and religious leaders — along with journalists — attended and there is a lot of buzz in the region about the film.

Here are excerpts from an email I just received from one of the film’s producers, that I post with his permission:

* “It is with great joy that I report to you that the Lord, in His love and mercy, accorded us a truly historic event for the premier of Damascus, in the capital city of Syria, Damascus, where it all began 2,000 years ago. The Government took a personal interest in the production of this film, made it very easy for us, and facilitated everything we needed. The invitation for the premiere went all the way to the Presidential palace, which received it with great favor, delegating the responsibility of hosting the premier to the Minister of Culture, and designated that it should be held in the Opera in Damascus….

* “A huge [billboard] was hung in a public place for several weeks leading up to the premiere, literally seen by at least one million people every day….1,135 people attended the premier, so the Opera was…a full house. We were honored by the presence not only of the Minister of Culture, but also of other Cabinet members, very high government officials, and two patriarchs, with a third sending his inaugural speech to be delivered by his assistant.

* “The head of the Synod of the Evangelical churches of Lebanon and Syria sent his speech, to be delivered by his vice-president, who represented him….All the main actors and crew were also present, also the head of the Islamic community sent his inaugural speech, to be delivered by his right-hand man, one of the main Sunni leaders in the country….

* “All the speeches were extremely positive, and all gave honor and glory to God, and also commended the Syrian government for its support of the production of this film, and the potential it has to revive the Christian message, and transform lives, as it happened with Saul on the way to Damascus….We were honored by having with us representatives of the mainstream Christian denominations from all the neighboring countries as well….

* “The film was positively received. In fact, the crowd broke into applause at the opening of the eyes of Saul, at the baptismal scene, and also at the scene when followers of the Way were first called Christians….[Let us give] honor and glory to God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who still transforms lives, and proclaim that, from this evening on, Paul, as promised by the Lord, will appear before Kings and Presidents and will take the message to all the nations of the world, on the large as well as the small screen….

* “Twelve television stations and all the main newspapers in the country and the Arab world were represented, as part of the press group. Dozens and dozens of people were interviewed before and after the showing. Today, literally the entire Arab world is talking about this premiere and the inaugural showing of Damascus…..The English dubbing was completed…last week, and it should be ready very soon. Other languages are underway: Turkish, Farsi, Russian, Urdu, Hindi, Kurdish, and many others….Thank you so much for praying for the inaugural showing in Damascus. Please continue to pray.”

There is plenty of bad news coming out of the Middle East, including out of Iran. But let us keep in mind that the God of the Bible is faithful. He is on the move. He loves all the people of the epicenter, and His message cannot be thwarted by the kingdoms of mankind. What a message of hope as we head into the Easter season.
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COME TO ISRAEL WITH US IN NOVEMBER

Dear Friends:

It is with great excitement over God’s wonderful love and plan for Israel and the people of the epicenter that I invite you to join us for our next Joshua Fund “Prayer & Vision Trip.” It will be held November 5-17, 2009, and culminate in our first-ever “Jerusalem Prayer Summit.”

If you have never been to the Holy Land, it is hard to describe what a profound spiritual effect such a journey can have on you and your family. You may have heard others say God’s Word seemed to “come alive” in a new way when they walked where Jesus walked, from the shores of Galilee to the Mount of Olives and into the streets of Jerusalem. Well, it’s true, and I believe our 2009 Israel trip will allow you to experience this for yourself and intensify your desire to walk closely with Jesus Christ.

If you have been to Israel before, this trip will be a great opportunity to deepen your understanding of how powerfully the Lord is moving there. I will teach at key locations and answer your questions about the future of the epicenter. You will have the opportunity to meet with and pray for local pastors and ministry leaders. We are arranging for you to spend time engaged in a practical Joshua Fund ministry project to bless the poor and needy. What’s more, you will participate in a two-day conference to pray for the peace of Jerusalem at this critical hour.

We can take up to 300 people, and to make your experience as personal and special as possible, you will be assigned to one of seven buses of about 45 people. Each bus will be hosted by a Joshua Fund staff or board member or couple, or one of our close allies. You will ride that bus with your host every day, and in the process you’ll get to know the people on your bus, study the Bible with them, pray with and for them, discover Israel together with them, ask questions with them, and thus form a small community. Lord willing, I will rotate through the buses to get to know you and answer your questions. Each bus will also have a professional, licensed Israeli tour guide who know every detail of the country inside and out.

Now, that said, please realize that there are now some 90,000 people on this Flash Traffic email list. So space is going to fill up quickly. Please prayerfully consider joining us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

[NOTE: To learn more, or to register today on-line, please click on the link below]

My team and I are praying for you, and we’d love to have you join us this November.

Yours to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus,
Joel C. Rosenberg
Founder and President of The Joshua Fund

—————

In Matthew chapter 25, Jesus praises His followers for feeding the hungry and caring for those who are suffering.

For more than a year, the Joshua Fund has been financing the purchase of some 10 tons of food each month to care for the poor and needy in northern Israel through some of our trusted allies near the Lebanon border. This typically includes rice, flour, canned vegetables, cooking oil, and other staples. Because of your gracious donations, we have already purchased a total of more than 200 tons of food. This has blessed thousands of Israelis living under the poverty level. The cost of this project is $21,500 a month.

At the same time, we are helping provide food for needy Israelis under the poverty level in the town of Sderot in southern Israel, just a few kilometers from Gaza. Like in the north, we work through trusted allies. Some are Israeli Jews. Others are evangelical Christians. It is an honor to work together with both and help them love their neighbors with unconditional love. The Sderot project requires a monthly budget of $10,000.

Would you prayerfully consider making a $50, $100, or $500 donation to help us with these and similar projects? Thank you so much.

At the same time, please also pray that we can finish raising about $134,000 to complete a new ministry training center in Iraq. As I mentioned in a recent Flash Traffic, in the course of my travels to Iraq, an exciting opportunity has presented itself. Christians leaders in Iraq want to complete the building of a ministry training center inside their country. For security reasons, I can’t say too much about where it will be or who is involved in the project, but I can say we have known these leaders for years and have seen them bear much fruit. Part of the building is already complete and is being used. Finishing the rest will create urgently needed new classroom space for teaching the Scriptures and training current and future Christian leaders. There will also be facilities to accommodate guests coming from other parts of Iraq or from abroad to train or be trained. There will be office space, and communications facilities for staff and volunteers to correspond with believers and seekers from all over the country via phone, letter, emails and chat rooms. We would be deeply grateful if you would pray for us and those Iraqi Christian leaders we are working closely with. If you would like to help us financially meet this goal and complete this project, we would be deeply grateful as well.

As always, we will do our best to keep you up-to-date on the kinds of projects we are doing, and brief you on how those projects are proceeding. We will also let you know about the kinds of projects we are developing for the future. In no way do we want to pressure anyone to give financially. We fully believe the Lord will provide for the needs of the people we seek to serve. But if you or others wish to help, we welcome your support, and all financial gifts are tax-deductible.

If you would like to make a contribution to the on-going work of The Joshua Fund please make your check payable to “The Joshua Fund” and send to:

The Joshua Fund
18950 Base Camp Road
Monument, Colorado 80132-8009

Thanks so much and may the Lord richly bless you and your family as you bless Israel and Iraq in the name of Jesus — especially at critical moment in history of the epicenter.
Would you consider making a donation of $50, $100 or $500 per month to The Joshua Fund to help us bless Israelis and Iraqis in the name of Jesus? Please click here to find out more, and/or to make a secure donation on-line.
To get the latest prayer requests and updates on the work of TJF, please visit The Joshua Fund’s weblog
To learn more about The Joshua Fund’s Prayer & Vision Trip to Israel, or to register today on-line, please click here
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to forward to others.

TO BOOK JOEL FOR AN INTERVIEW please contact Beverly Rykerd at 1-888-481-0405, (719) 481-0537, or (719) 440-2746 (cell), or brykerd @ ix.netcom.com.

FORT BLISS, Texas — As soldiers stream home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the biggest charity inside the U.S. military has been stockpiling tens of millions of dollars meant to help put returning fighters back on their feet, an Associated Press investigation shows.

Between 2003 and 2007 — as many military families dealt with long war deployments and increased numbers of home foreclosures — Army Emergency Relief grew into a $345 million behemoth. During those years, the charity packed away $117 million into its own reserves while spending just $64 million on direct aid, according to an AP analysis of its tax records.

Tax-exempt and legally separate from the military, AER projects a facade of independence but really operates under close Army control. The massive nonprofit — funded predominantly by troops — allows superiors to squeeze soldiers for contributions; forces struggling soldiers to repay loans — sometimes delaying transfers and promotions; and too often violates its own rules by rewarding donors, such as giving free passes from physical training, the AP found.

AER was founded in 1942 to soften the personal financial hardships on soldiers and their families as the country ramped up its fight in World War II.

Today, AER’s mission is to ease cash emergencies of active-duty soldiers and retirees, and to provide college scholarships for their families. Its emergency aid covers mortgage payments and food, car repairs, medical bills, travel to family funerals, and the like.

Instead of giving money away, though, the Army charity lent out 91 percent of its emergency aid during the period 2003-2007. For accounting purposes, the loans, dispensed interest-free, are counted as expenses only when they are not paid back.

During that same five-year period, the smaller Navy and Air Force charities both put far more of their own resources into aid than reserves. The Air Force charity kept $24 million in reserves while dispensing $56 million in total aid, which includes grants, scholarships and loans not repaid.

The Navy charity put $32 million into reserves and gave out $49 million in total aid.

AER executives defend their operation, insisting they need to keep sizable reserves to be ready for future catastrophes.

“Look at the stock market,” said retired Col. Dennis Spiegel, AER’s deputy director for administration. Without the large reserve, he added, “We’d be in very serious trouble.”
Navy- and Air Force-sponsored charities also are deeply intertwined with their services, but they impose controls that help safeguard their independence.

Officers in those services are expected to keep their noses out of requests for aid. Sailors should “be comfortable coming to us without any fear that the command is going to be involved,” says retired Rear Adm. Jan Gaudio, executive vice president of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Meanwhile, civilian charities for service members and veterans say they are swamped by the desperate needs of recent years, with requests far outstripping ability to respond.

According to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau figures, 1.3 million veterans — or 6 percent — lived in poverty, with 537,000 unemployed.

“I have so many people who are losing their homes, they’re behind on their mortgage payments, they’re losing their jobs because of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) or the medication they’re taking — and the Army Emergency Relief can’t help them,” says Outreach Director Sema Olson at U.S. Welcome Home Foundation, which finds aid for combat veterans. Story Continues Here

Why do you think OBAMA…”BACK-LOADED” this stimulus package? If he really wanted to help people & the Economy NOW…he would be spending at least 40-60% this $780 BILLION this year…Instead he is spending about 13% in 2009 on BS.

In other words: He would have “FRONT-LOADED” this stimulus package.

He’s spending more(about 37%) in 2010 and the rest in 2011…The MOST..TWO YEARS from now!

Why you ASK…

So, He looks like a hero 2-3 years from now so he can get re-elected.

If there is ONE TRUE thing about OBAMA…He is 1000% on the “Campaign trail” 24/7 365…

He can never answer the most simplistic question(s)….without using at least 100 words.

The first question he was ask the other day at his Press conference….it took him 19 minutes to answer.

BTW: His “health care plan”… right now…is NOT because he wants to help anyone and everyone….job,no job,legal, illegal, poor etc…

His doing it to OVERWHELM the heath care industry over the next 1-2 years (Including medicare & medicaid)…..

Why you ask,

So he can more easily sell the American people ON Nationalization of the health care system….Its called “SOCIALISM”….The Government tells YOU and ME where, when, what you do and go.

They (the Government) also become your kids… Mommy & Daddy…controlling all aspects of their lives.

Why do you think hes so BIG on every kid being able to go to college? Its not so they get a good education and become well rounded thoughtful people…

Its so they get 4-5 years of Liberal “Socialist Commie” professors…educating them on BS.

Go ahead and send your kid to a nice college….and see the difference what he believes now (core values) and what he does not believe in after.

Its called: Indoctrination of liberal Socialism.

Why do you think the stock market went down 280 points…just as he was signing this “stimulus package”?

The stock market knows, its not going to ’stimulate’ anything for at least 12 – 18+ months.

This “stimulus package is not to help you or me…its to help turn our country into something it has never been….From a Capitalist Democratic Society…INTO…A….”Socialist Society.

That is the CHANGE he ran his whole Campaign on… CHANGE…CHANGE…

He just never told you WHAT CHANGE WAS COMING…DID HE?

But that is it. SOCIALISM

Do you think, if he was “upfront” with the American people about this…he would have been elected? NOT

He “BACK-LOADED” this…just like he BACK-LOADED his great stimulus package.

He can play the game…better than anyone…and people thought Hilary “Had Game”…LOL

Peace,
iraqsinconvenienttruth.com

TNOYF made its first foray into television tonight with an exclusive video provided to the Huckabee Show on Fox News (below).

NOTE: As Of Nov 01, 2008 9:15 pm PST…. The Left wing Socialist that own YouTube (Google) have pulled the video. Maybe…. The First Amendment will once again apply to someone else other than the socialist in the Democratic Party…. It may or may not return….depends I guess if Obama wins the election….hopefully its back up soon.

This dog Grek has more “sense” and is much more “loyal” to our troops than a lot of “politicians”…both Republican and Democrat.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Reese And His Military Working Dog Grek

April 23rd, 2007

BREAK TIME U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Reese and his military working dog Grek wait at a safe house before conducting an assault against insurgents in Buhriz, Iraq, April 10, 2007. U.S. Army soldiers and Iraqi army soldiers are going house-to-house in search for weapons caches and enemy fighters after more than 1,000 residents of this Baqubah suburb were displaced by Al-Qaeda insurgents. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsal. Source

Friday, 31 October 2008

A new backpack from a Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier brought a smile to this student’s face at the opening ceremony of Al Tajadud elementary school in the Adhamiyah District of Baghdad, Oct. 26, 2008. Photo by 2nd Lt. Josh Woodke, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs.

BAGHDAD — Rebuilding schools is a top priority for Multi-National Division – Baghdad to eliminate terrorist and criminal activities and set the condition for a brighter future for Iraqi youth.

Al Tajadud school in the Adhamiyah District of Baghdad reopened, Oct. 26, after undergoing a two-month-long renovation. With $220,000 from the government of Iraq, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division facilitated the rebuilding of this important infrastructure.

“There have been some challenges to get schools funded and rebuilt here in Iraq,” said Capt. Patrick Soule, a native of Poth, Texas and commander for D Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, currently attached to 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment.

Soule said the school is a two-session school, each one having their own name. The morning session is Al Tajadud school, which is a boys and girls elementary school. The afternoon session is called Al Abda school, which is an all-girls junior high school.

The school, built in the 1960’s, was in desperate need of work after witnessing several years of fierce fighting and its use as a mortar platform by terrorists and criminals.

“The school was in bad shape when it was recommended to us by the local NAC [Neighborhood Action Committee]. You could tell it was pretty shot up,” said 1st Lt. Rosita Rodriguez, a native of Morristown, N.J., and team chief of C Company, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Rodriguez said the improvements made included new classrooms, new roof and floor, a completely new electrical network, and additional bathrooms with a complete sewer network. The outside was painted tan with a green trim and a play ground was installed in the courtyard consisting of a basketball court and volleyball net.

The school’s headmaster said the new facility is a complete turn around from less than a year ago, confirming that terrorists used to lob mortars from the courtyard of the school.

“It was notorious for finding [weapon] caches,” Rodriguez said.

The official opening of the school was marked with a ribbon cutting by Omar Rahmani, vice chairman for the Adhamiyah District Advisory Council, followed by a poem in Arabic recited by the boys and girls of the elementary school. The children clapped in rhythm welcoming all guests, and thanking everyone for their “prettier school.”

The pomp and circumstance continued when a young Iraqi boy stood in front of all the guests and sang a traditional Iraqi song. Then Iraqi girls from the junior high school passed out refreshments, as a group of students recited lines in English they had learned from their textbooks.

Soul said he believes education is the cornerstone that will help rebuild Iraq and give the Iraqi people confidence in their government and the local leaders.

“It’s a good step forward,” Soule said, “putting money back into the schools and investing in future generations.”

(By 2nd Lt. Josh Woodke, 4th Infantry Division)