Preacher to hang for sin burnings

A Nigerian high court has sentenced a Lagos preacher to death by hanging for setting fire to members of his congregation, killing one woman. Full Story

Won marathon, but lost citizenship

Just two days after winning the Tiberias Marathon and speaking about how "people should live together in harmony," Kenyan-born runner Mushir Salem Jawher was stripped of his Bahraini citizenship Saturday for competing in Israel. Full Story Here.

Minimum Wage, Maximum Taxation?

For the first time in 10 years, the House is weighing a bill to raise the federal minimum wage. As part of the "Six for '06" agenda, Democrats are touting their effort to increase minimum wage by 41 percent, an effort they claim will reduce the burden on the working poor. But despite couching the debate in humanitarian terms, few in Washington truly believe that raising the minimum wage will effectively reduce poverty.

Instead of easing the cost to families, Democrats often dole out dollars only to tax them away. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has already rolled out plans to ease House rules on raising taxes, which could essentially nullify the wage hike. The agenda is not only duplicitous, but as the Heritage Foundation points out, it's also unnecessary.

Two-thirds of workers earning the minimum wage get a raise from their employers within a year. If the new majority is truly concerned about America's families, they will make the expended child tax credit and the elimination of the marriage tax penalty permanent.

It's an Honor Just to be Nominated?

After years of political wrangling with both parties for support on his nominees, President Bush withdrew the names of four highly-qualified judges, signaling a defeat--not only for the federal bench but for the constitutional process at large.

Those who will no longer be considered include William J. Haynes II, William G. Myers III, Michael B. Wallace, and Terrence W. Boyle. The administration's move was roundly praised by liberals like Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who boasted, "This reversal is one of the first tangible signs that the president heard and is heeding the message from the November elections."

However, the White House refused to flinch on its other candidates and sent up 32 nominees for Senate approval this term. The Constitution's language is clear: The president shall appoint federal judges with the "Advice and Consent of the Senate" (Article II, Sec. 2)--not the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Israel planning to attack Iran's nuclear sites?

Israel has drawn up plans to destroy Iran's uranium enrichment facilities with tactical nuclear weapons, according to a report in the London-based Sunday Times on Sunday morning.

The British newspaper said that two IAF squadrons had been training to blow up an enrichment plant in Natanz using low-yield nuclear "bunker busters."

According to the report, a heavy water plant at Arak and a uranium conversion plant at Isfahan would also be targeted, using conventional bombs.

Reportedly, the plan envisaged conventional laser-guided bombs opening "tunnels" into the targets. Nuclear warheads would then be fired into the plant at Natanz, exploding deep underground to reduce radioactive fallout.

The report goes on to say that IAF pilots have flown to Gibraltar in recent weeks to train for the 2,000 mile round-trip to the Iranian targets, adding that three possible routes to Iran had been mapped out, including one over Turkey.

The report suggested that Israel may be trying to scare Iran or to cajole the US into taking stronger action against Teheran's nuclear program.

However, the report went on to speculate that Israel may strike at Iran's nuclear facilities and pressure the Americans to agree with the move after the event.

In March 2005, The Sunday Times reported that Israel had drawn up secret plans for a combined air and ground attack on targets in Iran if diplomacy failed to halt the Iranian nuclear program.

The newspaper then claimed that the inner cabinet of former prime minister Ariel Sharon had given "initial authorization" for an attack at a private meeting on his ranch in the Negev.

Embryo Bank an Unwise Investment for Parents

At the Abraham Center for Life in San Antonio, named after the biblical figure Abraham, parents can shop for the perfect egg and sperm from a long list of donors based on everything from education to personality.

You've heard of build-a-bear? Well, now there's build-a-baby. For $10,000, couples can shop for children with pedigree from an embryo bank that's helping to make the field of fertility morally bankrupt. As the first "commercial dealer" of embryos, the Abraham Center is a prime example of the growing acceptance of eugenics as a reproductive right rather than what it really is--an ethical landmine.

America was a "house divided against itself" on the matter of slavery. Fighting a brutal civil war over the question of whether one human being was fit to own another, buying and selling slaves like cattle on the auction block. Now there are some who think that the buying and selling of human life is justified if the auction block is a tank of liquid nitrogen and the bill of sale is a posting on the Internet.

On this our nation risks another deep division that cannot stand.

Embryonic Research, a Tough "Cell" for New Leadership

New research from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine may pose a substantial threat to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) "100 Hours" agenda.

According to reports, scientists there have discovered yet another alternative to embryonic stem cell research (ESC) that increases the promise of treatment without destroying human life. Stem cells found in the rich amniotic fluid that sustains a baby in the womb have the ability to grow into brain, muscle, and other tissues to fight and treat disease.

Not only does the research lack the controversy of ESC, but it also hasn't generated the tumors that have so often been the result of embryonic experimentation. The news should deliver a crippling blow to the agenda of House Democrats, who hope to pass legislation that directs more taxpayer dollars to ESC as one of the hallmarks of their leadership.

Regrettably, politicians have used embryos as a political football, endorsing science that has done far more harm to life than good to patients. As viable and ethical alternatives to destructive embryonic stem cell research grow, so too should opposition on Capitol Hill to taxpayer-funded research that destroys human embryos.

And, as science would have it, these ethical methods are the techniques producing results. Last week, the new House leadership talked a lot about ethics. If they truly care about setting ethical standards, then they should abandon their quest to subsidize unethical research and concentrate on research that cures without killing.

Pelosi on National Security: I Surrender All

The late President Ronald Reagan once said, "Those who would sacrifice freedom for security have embarked on [a] downward path." Under the new Liberal leadership, this is the likely fate of America's defense policy.

In an alarming provision of H.R. 1, a bill that claims to make the country "safer" since 9/11, liberals have rushed language to the House floor that would surrender a key aspect of our homeland security to the United Nations. At risk is the country's Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) which allows America and its allies to intercept the transport of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in international waters and on foreign soil.

For four years, 14 countries have committed to work together in successfully disrupting the delivery of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. Rather than expand a program that has prevented the global distribution of WMDs, Democrats are asking Congress to relinquish all control of PSI to the United Nations.

Allowing the Security Council of the U.N. to govern the program would jeopardize the intelligence, routes, and methods used to keep terrorists at bay--as well as complicate issues of American sovereignty. What's more troubling is that the Democrats are willing to defer our interest in national security to a body that counts Syria and Pakistan among its members. Despite the leadership's claims, this is one measure in a long line of legislation aimed at globalizing America's national security. For the safety of our liberties and our land, contact your representatives and urge them to vote "yes" on the Republican Motion to Commit on H.R. 1, which would remove this detrimental language from the policy.

More Israel Bashing

A few weeks back a book was released titlled "Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid." This book was written by former president Jimmy Carter.

It is difficult to add much to what has already been said about this book. Its factual errors and anti-Israel bias have been exposed by many who truly know and have a deep understanding of the Middle East including some of Carter’s closest associates. One of these is Middle East historian and Emory University professor of Israeli studies Kenneth Stein, who in the ‘80s acted as the first director of the Carter Center, the former president’s non-profit organization. Mr. Stein recently ended a 23-year relationship with the Carter Center because of what he called the book’s “one-sided nature,” and “factual errors, copied materials not cited, superficialities, glaring omissions, and simply invented segments.”

As you will see from the comments below, Mr. Stein is just one of the many, notable voices that are a part of the chorus of criticism for "Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid":

“Mr. Carter repeatedly mentions Security Council Resolution 242, which called for return of captured territories in exchange for peace, recognition, and secure boundaries, but he ignores that Israel accepted and all the Arab nations and the Palestinians rejected this resolution… But you wouldn't know that from reading the history according to Mr. Carter.” Alan Dershowitz, New York Sun

“[Carter] says that the only division of territory that is recognized by the United States and the international community is the pre-1967 Green Line. It is hard to believe that Carter does not know that this claim is simply false… The Green Line is just the 1949 armistice line from the end of Israel’s War of Independence. Neither the United States nor the international community recognized this as the final border between Israel and Jordan.” Ira Forman, Washington Jewish Week

“The demonization of Israel begins with the book's title … Carter's use of (the word “apartheid”) seems aimed at delegitimizing Israel as a South Africa-type state… Had he taken the time to explain, he would have had to mention that Israel has airlifted many tens of thousands of black Ethiopian Jews from misery into new homes. He would also have had to mention that Arabs (in Israel) have Israeli citizenship, vote, and hold office.” David Makovsky, U.S. News and World Report

“In 1990, Carter met Arafat, who told him the PLO never advocated the annihilation of Israel and that it was the Zionists who invented the idea that the Palestinians wanted to drive the Jews into the sea. Carter cites this as if it were undeniable when he could have referred to the PLO charter’s call for Israel’s destruction.” Mitchell Bard, author, Myths and Facts

The list of inaccuracies in this book could go on and on. Carter’s claim that Israel never agreed to accept peace terms at the 2000 Camp David accords is disputed by public record and all eyewitnesses, including chief negotiator Dennis Ross, who said, “on this issue, he’s wrong…everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They’re not entitled to their own facts.” Carter absurdly blames Israel for the Christian exodus from the Middle East, ignoring the fact that Christians living under Muslim rule are subject to all kinds of state-sanctioned oppression and the fact that in Israel they enjoy many more freedoms than anywhere in the Arab world.

In fact, the only good thing I can say about this disturbingly biased book is that it acts as a powerful reminder of how critically important it is, when dealing with the media on any topic, for each and every one of us to know and rely on the facts. The words of a former president carry authority. Someone hearing Carter’s misinformation might accept it as truth unless they know the facts and are able to challenge and correct what is being distorted.

I invite you to join with me this New Year and commit to becoming a well-informed advocate for Israel. The more each of us know about the history of Israel and the Jewish people, and their ongoing struggle for peace, freedom, and security, the better we will be able to counter false information like that found in Mr. Carter’s book. We should always remember that, in the battle for fair treatment for Israel in the court of public opinion, the truth is the best weapon we have because the facts are on Israel’s side.

SEATTLE - Unbelievable.

How else can you explain it? An entire season of ups and downs, filled with sprinkles of both hope and disappointment, came crashing down to a bitter end Saturday night at Qwest Field in Seattle.

The Cowboys had their chances to win. Instead, they're going home empty-handed with a 21-20 defeat to the Seahawks in the NFC wild-card game, one that for me will surely linger long into the off-season.

How ironic, quarterback Tony Romo seeing so many of his passes dropped all season long. Yet, during the most crucial play of the season to this point, it was Romo coming up with the biggest drop of all.

Romo, also the holder on field goal attempts, simply dropped the snap on Martin Gramatica's 19-yard field goal attempt that would've given the Cowboys a two-point lead with 1:24 to play and the way the defense was playing a date to play next Saturday.

"It's just a heartbreaker, as you could imagine," a dejected Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells said afterwards. "It was just a mishandled snap. It seemed like a good snap. I don't really know what happened after that." That last part of his quote seems to sumarize Parcell's season. In my opinion he always looked like he didn't know what happened.

Just like that, Romo's magical season - one that started when he entered the starting lineup in mid-season, won five of his first six starts, led the Cowboys to the playoffs and earned an improbable Pro Bowl selection along the way - came to an unbelievable ending, with Romo on the wrong end of such an important blunder.

To say Romo was emotional afterwards would be a complete understatement. The young quarterback sat at his locker with his head buried in his hands for several minutes. Despite encouraging pep talks from both Terrell Owens and owner Jerry Jones, Romo said nothing could erase the stinging pain he felt after the game.

"I don't know if I've ever felt this low before," Romo said in the post-game news conference, doing everything possible to fight back tears. "I take responsibility for this. I cost the Dallas Cowboys a playoff win. And that's going to sit with me for a long time.

"I'm just in shock right now. I just didn't get (the snap) down. Everything happened pretty quick after that. All I know is that I didn't get it down. Obviously, that cost us the game."

Another football season ends in dissapointment for my Boys but there is always next year. "Go Boys".

Call for Vaccine Takes Parting "Shot" at Parents

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control announced its new schedule of vaccinations for children, including a highly divisive recommendation that all girls aged 11-12 be immunized against certain cancer-causing strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases.

Last fall, Michigan became the first state to require girls entering the sixth grade to have injections of the vaccine Gardasil before the 2007-08 school year. An article in today's Washington Times suggests that several states, including Texas, may follow suit. While we as parents should welcome the wide distribution of vaccines that could prevent infection with several cancer-causing strains of HPV, we should also have concerns that making the immunizations mandatory creates a dangerous precedent of trampling parents' rights.

Moms and dads have an inherent responsibility to be the primary decision makers regarding their children's health and should not be coerced into relinquishing those rights. Also, since HPV is transmitted not through casual activity but sexual behavior, how can schools justify making the vaccination a requirement of public school attendance? Creating such a policy may send the message that these interventions make sex "safe" without being accompanied by the instructive primary prevention message that practicing abstinence-until-marriage is the best and surest way to prevent the spread of STDs.

110th Congress: Losing Its Marbles?

The photograph of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on the front page of Washington Times says it all. With Old Glory at her back and a jubilant smile on her face, the new leader of the House flexes her arm muscle to the cheering majority. The "most powerful woman in America" took her post on January 4 as the first female speaker of the U.S. House, trumpeting a victory in the tired game of gender politics. Of course, the irony is that the same liberals who are praising Nancy Pelosi for breaking the "marble ceiling" are the ones who vehemently oppose the notion when conservative females, such as Judge Janice Rogers Brown, try to advance. Let's be honest. This is a celebration--not of all women--but of liberal women. To a crowd applauding the Democratic takeover Pelosi said, "Thanks to you, working moms in this country know there's a mom in the speaker's office who understands their challenges." While she may paint a Norman Rockwell portrait of parenting, it remains to be seen whether Pelosi and her allies will put their policies where their mouths are.

Meanwhile, the leadership does deserve cautious praise for the ethics and earmark reforms they vow to implement in Congress. Unfortunately, the rest of the "Six for '06" agenda seems mired in policies that are much more controversial and anti-family, such as expanding taxpayer funding for destructive (and unproductive) embryonic stem cell research, defunding abstinence programs, and condoning homosexual conduct in the military.

In Congress, Politics as Usual

The country is just three days into 2007 and it appears that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has already broken her New Year's resolution for civil and unified leadership in Congress. Before her official swearing in, she and the rest of the incoming House Democrats are facing a tough homecoming in the nation's capital, where even The Washington Post maligned the leaders for their plan to implement their "100 Hours" agenda by shirking House rules and procedures in their pursuit of misguided lobbying reform, increasing the minimum wage, and expanding taxpayer-funded embryonic stem cell research. "Unfortunately, [Pelosi's] plans don't include getting those provisions passed in the democratic fashion that the Democrats promised to adhere to once in the majority," write The Post editors. Rather than heed the established committee process, Pelosi and company are hoping to fast-track the measures without allowing Republicans to offer amendments on the floor or introduce alternate legislation. In response to the charge that they've betrayed the trust of voters by abandoning their pledge for a "full, open debate," the party promises to make it right after the first order of business is complete. Ironically, what tops the agenda is a policy designed to increase civility in House proceedings--something this Congress may desperately need. Also possibly included in the lobbying reform package is an attack on legitimate groups, such as Family Research Council, which would make it virtually impossible for them to inform people like you about what's transpiring in Washington and what you can do about it. The FRC team will be canvassing Capitol Hill this week to ensure that both sides of these debates are heard.