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U.S. Sponsors Plan to Restrict Free Speech
Oct 20th, 2009
Daily NewsWND - Bob Unruh
Categories: Today's Headlines;World Government

Joins Egyptians in proposal to United Nations Human Rights Council

A proposal sponsored by the Obama administration at the United Nations that purports to seek protection for "freedom of opinion and expression" actually is a call for a worldwide crackdown on freedom of speech and a mandate for nations to ensure "that relevant national legislation complies with … international human rights obligations" – a clear threat to the First Amendment, according to critics.

The resolution was submitted recently by the United States and Egypt. It was approved by the U.N. Human Rights Council as a first step in its process through the international organization.

It demands that all nations condemn and criminalize "any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence."

Steven Groves of the Heritage Foundation told WND the issue is not about free speech at all but about installing international precedents to stifle any criticism of Islam.

Groves has written for the Heritage Foundation on the issue, citing the demands from members of the Organization of Islamic Conference

that national legislatures pass laws to ensure protection against "defamation of religions."

"Such a ban … could not withstand legal scrutiny in the United States," he wrote. "The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects free speech and expression, even when speech is offensive or insulting. Moreover, a religious 'speech code' would disrupt the assimilation of religious minorities that has occurred throughout U.S. history and could breed resentment rather than understanding among America's religious communities."

He also cited the need for the U.S. to oppose strongly any such move, "given the penchant of some federal judges – including justices on the U.S. Supreme Court – to rely on the decisions and opinions of international courts and organizations."

Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice as well as the European Centre for Law and Justice, which has been involved in fighting "defamation of religion" plans at the U.N., said the "free speech" resolution itself "incites discrimination."

"The proclamation of the Gospel in Muslim countries has been called incitement of religious discrimination," he told WND. "The U.S. backing of this is a mistake. The Universal Declaration of Human rights protects free speech.

"I am very concerned the U.S. is co-authoring something like this," he said.

Sekulow cited the wording in several parts of the proposal, which was reported widely by other media at the time of its adoption by the U.N.'s Human Rights Council in stories that cited almost exclusively the "free speech" concept.

But Sekulow noted the proposal also raises "concern that incidents of racial and religious intolerance, discrimination and related violence, as well as of negative stereotyping of religions and racial groups continue to rise around the world, and condemns, in this context, any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and urges states to take effective measures, consistent with their international human rights obligations, to address and combat such incidents."

Likewise, in paragraph 6, the U.N. writing stresses "that condemning and addressing, in accordance with international human rights obligations, including those regarding equal protection of the law, any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is an important safeguard to ensure the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, particularly minorities."

The U.N. General Assembly has approved a "defamation of religious" resolution in each of the three sessions from 2005 to 2007. The text always has been similar, and it always has had major support from Islamic nations with opposition from Western democracies, including the U.S.

Groves' evaluation noted that even "offensive speech and expression" is protected by the U.S. Constitution except in narrow areas such as obscenity and libel.

"Blasphemy, sacrilegious statements, and any other speech or expression that insults or denigrates organized religion is, for better or worse, protected by the First Amendment," he wrote.

Online critics of the administration were alarmed that it now is the United States pursuing a plan that would protect "freedom of opinion and expression" by cracking down on statements critical of issues, groups or religions.

In a column published on Europe News, Robert Spencer of JihadWatch wrote that while reducing "advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred" sounds like a good idea, there is plenty wrong with it.

Russia's PM Vladimir Putin wants to adopt the Chinese Communist party model of government
Oct 20th, 2009
News UpdateJimmy DeYoung
Categories: Jimmy DeYoung News

Russian PM Putin's political party, United Russia, has been examining how it can emulate the Chinese Communist Party, especially its skill to shepherd China through the financial crisis relatively without hardship.

The leaders of Putin's political party held special meetings with Senior Chinese Communist Party officials to hear first hand how the Chinese are able to use a one party system to keep tight control over the country while still driving significant economic growth.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

As we watch Russia and China becoming more powerful in our world today, we must realize how this geopolitical activity is so similar to the end time scenario that can be found in Bible prophecy.

Before the fall of the Soviet Union, Communism was a major force in the political operation of this union of European nations. Supposedly, it was so effective that the upstart nation of China appropriated all they could from the Soviet model of governing to establish their brand of Communism.

Now, there has been a reversal of roles between the two nations of Russia and China, with Russia wanting to emulate the Chinese brand of Communism to help its efforts to once again be a superpower in our world.

As a student of Bible prophecy, I recognize that this scenario unfolding is the same scenario that can be found in Bible prophecy for the last days. The ancient Jewish prophet Ezekiel mentioned Magog, Ezekiel 38:2, which is the Biblical name for Russia. Magog or Russia will lead a coalition of nations at the beginning of the seven year Tribulation Period against the Jewish state of Israel as foretold in Ezekiel 38.

John, the Revelator, in Revelation 16:12 speaks of the Kings of the East which logically would be led by China today. These kings will be the major players at the end time of the Tribulation Period and go to Jerusalem to try to stop the return of the Messiah.

With Russia and China learning from each other how to become superpowers in our world today, the stage is indeed set for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.

Pm Warns of Climate 'catastrophe'
Oct 20th, 2009
Daily NewsBBC News
Categories: Today's Headlines;World Government;Warning

The UK faces a "catastrophe" of floods, droughts and killer heatwaves if world leaders fail to agree a deal on climate change, the prime minister has warned.

Gordon Brown said negotiators had 50 days to save the world from global warming and break the "impasse".

He told the Major Economies Forum in London, which brings together 17 of the world's biggest greenhouse gas-emitting countries, there was "no plan B".

World delegations meet in Copenhagen in December for talks on a new treaty.

'Rising wave'

The United Nations (UN) summit will aim to establish a deal to replace the 1997 Kyoto treaty as its targets for reducing emissions only apply to a small number of countries and expire in 2012.

Mr Brown warned that negotiators were not reaching agreement quickly enough and said it was a "profound moment" for the world involving "momentous choice".

"In Britain we face the prospect of more frequent droughts and a rising wave of floods," he told delegates.

"The extraordinary summer heatwave of 2003 in Europe resulted in over 35,000 extra deaths.

Grim warning

"On current trends, such an event could become quite routine in Britain in just a few decades' time. And within the lifetime of our children and grandchildren the intense temperatures of 2003 could become the average temperature experienced throughout much of Europe."

The costs of failing to tackle the issue would be greater than the impact of both world wars and the Great Depression combined, the prime minister said.

The world would face more conflict fuelled by climate-induced migration if a deal was not agreed, he added.

He told the forum, on the second day of talks in the capital, that by 2080 an extra 1.8 billion people - a quarter of the world's current population - could lack sufficient water.

Mr Brown said: "If we do not reach a deal at this time, let us be in no doubt: once the damage from unchecked emissions growth is done, no retrospective global agreement, in some future period, can undo that choice.

"So we should never allow ourselves to lose sight of the catastrophe we face if present warming trends continue."

Agreement at Copenhagen "is possible", he concluded

"But we must frankly face the plain fact that our negotiators are not getting to agreement quickly enough. So I believe that leaders must engage directly to break the impasse."

Art's Commentary......See the video below by Lord Monckton.

Klaus Admits Bid to Block Lisbon will Probably Fail
Oct 20th, 2009
Daily NewsIrish Times.com
Categories: Today's Headlines;Revived Roman Empire

CZECH PRESIDENT Vaclav Klaus has admitted for the first time that his bid to block the Lisbon Treaty is almost certainly doomed, and suggested that he might sign it if given an “Irish-style” guarantee from EU leaders on certain issues.

Mr Klaus believes the treaty will transfer too much power from national governments to Brussels, and has refused to sign it despite it receiving the approval of the Czech parliament.

He says he will not ratify the treaty, which has been cleared by all the EU’s other 26 member states, until the Czech constitutional court rules on a last-ditch complaint against it by his Eurosceptic allies, and until he is given special assurances over its charter of fundamental rights.

Mr Klaus fears the charter will expose Prague to compensation demands for property that was confiscated from three million Germans who were expelled from Czechoslovakia after the second World War. Surveys suggest that most Czechs share his worries.

The Czech government is in talks with Mr Klaus and the EU to find a solution which would not require reratification of the document by all EU members.

The Prague government and Brussels hope to have that solution approved by the European Council at an October 29th to 30th summit.

“I do not consider the Lisbon Treaty to be a good thing for Europe, for the freedom of Europe, or for the Czech Republic,” Mr Klaus told a Czech newspaper.

“However, the train has already travelled so fast and so far that I guess it will not be possible to stop it or turn it around, however much we would wish to.”

Mr Klaus also said he might be satisfied with the kind of “political declaration” that EU leaders gave to Ireland over its fears about the treaty’s impact on its neutrality, taxation and abortion laws, rather than demanding the more complex and time-consuming legal exemption that was given to Poland and Britain on certain matters.

“I never said that is necessary that my ‘footnote’ would have to be ratified by all member states, along with the whole Lisbon Treaty again,” he said. “I have never said that guarantees similar to those that the European Council gave to the Irish . . . would not be sufficient for me.”

Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico said yesterday he might seek the same assurances to protect his country from German property claims.

I will Instruct Thee and Teach Thee in the Way Which Thou Shalt Go - Psalm 32:8
Oct 20th, 2009
MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Inspirational;Book Study

"Learn of Me," said the Master: and indeed there is no teacher like Him; no school like his. We stand at the door of the school-house, saying, "What I know not, teach Thou me"; and He does not hesitate to undertake our case. But there are several points of difference from our methods. In Christ's school there is but one Master for all the scholars, and they all learn from the same books; the pupils begin with the upper classes and end with the lowest; and those that are most proficient, and have been longest under his tuition, are most conscious of their ignorance. There are no holidays; but every day is a holy day. The school never breaks up; but the students leave it for Home, and the prizes are sent after them, and given when they arrive.

We need more than personal instruction; we are travelling through an unknown land, and require direction for the way. This also is guaranteed; but not as in the cases of tourists, who extract all information from their friends before they start from home, as to the places they are about to visit. Our Guide accompanies us. He counsels us with his eye upon us, detecting every pitfall and chasm, and warning us; perhaps even guiding us by the movement of his eye.

How greatly then are we in need of the quickened sense! The eye fixed on his eye; the ear open to his slightest whisper; the foot quick to place itself down in his footprints. The horse and mule need bit and bridle; but it is enough for us if the heart fears to miss the least indication of the Master's will. Be willing to know; it then becomes his part to make thee know somehow. If not in one way, then in another.

Canada - Israel High Level Bilateral Consultations Held in Jerusalem
Oct 20th, 2009
Daily NewsIsrael Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel

The consultations were held as part of the ongoing celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Israel.

Director General Yossi Gal hosted today the annual Israel-Canada high level bilateral consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. The Canadian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Leonard Edwards. This latest round of consultations follows a previous meeting convened in Ottawa in 2007.

The consultations were held as part of the ongoing celebration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Israel. The talks were characterized by the cordiality and friendship which exist between Israel and Canada. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who joined the dialogue, expressed Israel's appreciation for the warm relations which exist between the two countries. He congratulated the Canadian side on the occasion of the upcoming assumption by Canada of the Presidency of the G-8. Minister Lieberman also expressed his thanks for Canada's agreement to represent Israel's interests in Venezuela. The Minister also briefed the Canadian delegation on the Iranian threat to the stability of the region.

Author: Globalism An Authentic Threat to U.S.
Oct 20th, 2009
Daily NewsOneNewsNow - Chad Groening
Categories: Today's Headlines;World Government;Warning

A scholar and New York Times best-selling author hopes Americans will wake up and take the necessary steps to stop a globalist agenda that he believes threatens U.S. sovereignty.

Dr. Jerome Corsi's new book is called America for Sale: Fighting the New World Order, Surviving a Global Depression, and Preserving U.S.A. Sovereignty. The best-selling author says the globalism that Americans are currently witnessing is destructive to the American way of life.

"The deficits that we're running are unsustainable," he emphasizes. "Right now we're running the United States government on borrowed money from China and other foreign countries [that are] ready and willing to buy our debt."
 
He believes it is going to take grassroots effort by the American people to bring to a halt the rush to globalism. He cites the efforts of "21st-century American patriots" who have been participating at "Tea Party" rallies around the country in the past several months.
 
"I want to get more information and more strategy to [those types of] people who want to stop this move toward globalism and preserve U.S.A. sovereignty and get us back to limited constitutional government," he states.
 
It is unfortunate, adds Corsi, that globalists are found in both major U.S. political parties.

 

 

'if Israel Strikes Iran, U.S. will Likely Join'
Oct 20th, 2009
Daily NewsHaaretz.com - Anshel Pfeffer
Categories: Today's Headlines;The Nation Of Israel;War

The United States would find it difficult not to join an Israeli air strike in the event that Jerusalem decides to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, a former top-ranking U.S. Air Force officer told participants at a conference this weekend organized by a Washington think tank.

Charles F. Wald, former deputy commander of United States European Command, said a military strike on Iran could set back the Islamic Republic's alleged nuclear weapons program by several years, but cautioned, "I don't think Israel can do it alone."

The former commander's remarks were made at an annual gathering of financial backers of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who were joined by diplomats, journalists and analysts

"They have a fantastic military, but not big enough for weeks or months of attacks - hundreds of sorties per day," he said.

Wald said that should "our great ally Israel" decide to take military action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, "pressure will mount for us to stand by Israel."

He also criticized the U.S. government and military leadership for not devoting enough attention to Iran's nuclear program in recent years due to their involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wald was also asked to comment on the suggestion by Jimmy Carter's former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski last month that the U.S. shoot down Israeli warplanes if they try to fly over Iraq to attack Iran.

"The chance of that," Wald said, "is zero - no, less than zero."

Last month, Wald and two former U.S. senators authored an article calling for U.S. President Barack Obama to begin preparations for implementing a military option against Iran.

The goal of such preparations, they wrote, would be not only to achieve military readiness for such a strike, but to persuade Tehran of the seriousness of the administration's intentions and convince Israel that it need not act alone.