Christmas Week, 2007 - Washington, DC

The staff of the Religious Freedom Coalition wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

In this issue you will find links to some of the Christmas ads produced by presidential candidates.

THE PRESIDENT

WHITE HOUSE HOLIDAY- This year's visit to the White House "Holiday" section on the Internet is very interesting. The President's remarks for Kwanzaa and Eid al-Adha can be found as well as photos of the lighting of the National Christmas tree. The White House Holiday site can be viewed here.

PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS' CHRISTMAS ADS- After the now famous (or infamous if you are a liberal) Christmas TV ad by Gov Mike Huckabee, several other contenders for the White House including Hillary Clinton released their versions as well. Below are some of the most interesting. Note that Hillary Clinton is the only one promising to hand out gifts. Although John McCain featured a cross in his TV ad, the media has not mentioned it ,while beating up on Mike Huckabee for having a bookcase behind him "shaped" as a cross
Mike Huckabee - What is really important
Barack Obama - Merry Christmas
Rudy Guiliani - Happy Holiday
Hillary Clinton - Presents
John McCain - My Christmas Story
John Edwards -Seasons

THE HOUSE

HOUSE ADJOURNED- The House is adjourned for Christmas ("the Holiday" to Democrats) and will reconvene on January 15, 2008

THE SENATE

SENATE ADJOURNED- The Senate will reconvene on January 15, 2008

RELIGION AND CULTURE

BETHLEHEM'S MUSLIM CHRISTMAS- Officially Bethlehem is still 23% Christian, but the actual figure is more like 12%. Christians have been driven out since the United States forced Israel to hand over the town to Palestinian Muslim control. Read the World Net Daily story on the current conditions in Bethlehem for Christmas.

NEW CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The December 12, 2007 issue of the Chairman's Report is now available online. This issue contains the latest information on hearings before the 9th Circuit Court on Michael Newdow's "under God" lawsuit. This issue also contains more information on House and Senate legislation and the Iraqi Christian situation. Click here to view the PDF of the new Chairman's Report.

INTERNATIONAL

NEW VIDEO AVAILABLE- Thousands of people have viewed the new video on the persecution of Iraqi Christians that is streaming from the Religious Freedom Coalition Internet site. Click here to view the 20 minute video prepared by the Chaldean Church. More information is available at www.christianrefugees.blogspot.com

VISIT OUR INTERNET STORE

OUR INTERNET STORE - We have lots of great Christian themed products at our Internet store. Not only are there books and CD's, but everything from candy to jewelry. Unlike Amazon and other major Internet stores we do not sell porn and satanic materials right beside Christian books. Please take a look. The store is located at www.rfcstore.com.
Contributions to the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition can be made at www.rfcnet.org.

Week Ending December 21, 2007 - Washington, DC

Bush wins big over Pelosi / Bush 2007 accomplishments / Huckabee rising? / Pelosi and company leave town / Wittman and Latta are sworn in / Conservative victories in the Senate / No snow in Bethlehem? / Justice Department and religious freedom / See the Iraqi video now

As 2007 comes to a close the Religious Freedom Coalition needs your support. Please consider an online contribution.

THE PRESIDENT

BUSH WINS (DEMS LOSE) - There is a huge argument inside the Beltway as to whether President Bush won a victory on war funding or whether radical Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi lost. Bush did receive $70 billion in additional funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with no strings attached. After one full year of trying to tie strings to war funding given to the President the Democrat controlled Congress handed him a virtual blank check as they left town.

BUSH'S 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS - The White House has issued a summary of Bush Administration accomplishments for 2007. Under the title "Year in Review" the public document covers the economy, home land security, health care and even "climate change." Those interested may view the document here.

HUCKABEE RISING - Despite attacks from the left and the right Mike Huckabee continues to rise in the polls in key states and nationally. Virtually the entire media establishment bashed him for mentioning Jesus in a Christmas TV ad but still his numbers rise. Perhaps people are learning that many of the attacks from the far left and the economic conservatives are just not true. I recently read a summary detailing the attacks on him that is very interesting. View it here.

THE HOUSE

THEY ARE GONE- The House adjourned for Christmas (Democrats call it "the holiday") right after Democrat leaders gave President Bush virtually everything he requested including no strings attached war funding. They were unable to pass bills giving special privileges to homosexuals as their "hate crimes" legislation died. The expansion of SCHIP into full blown socialized medicine failed and was extended to the President's specifications until March of 2009. Radical Speaker Pelosi was also unable to fund the destruction of human life with federal funds to abortionists. Democratic activists including the Geroge Soros' MoveOn.org have called the Democrat Congress a failure.

WITTMAN AND LATTA SWORN IN - Two new conservative members of the House were sworn in last week. Immediately after he was sworn in I spoke to Congressman Rob Wittman who now represents Virginia's first district. He is a true conservative who promised me he would work for pro-life and pro-family legislation.

THE SENATE

MANY SENATE VICTORIES- It appears that the Republicans can do more to promote the conservative cause in the minority than in the majority. Conservative Senators defended human life from attacks by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by defeating most of her outrageous legislation when it reached the Senate. In all the conservatives in the Senate preserved virtually all pro-life, pro-family legislation and actually managed to promote other conservative agendas. The actions in the Senate in 2007 were to numerous to recount in this short update. The VAT (Values Action Team) accomplishments in the Senate can be viewed here.

Just before releasing this update I received this pre- release of a story in the Washington Times titled "Even in minority, GOP managed to get its way." The article confirms that Republicans skillfully using Senate rules and threatened Presidential vetoes blocked most of racial leftist Nancy Pelosi's agenda. View Washington Times story here.

RELIGION AND CULTURE

NO SNOW IN BETHLEHEM? - The Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the leader of the Anglican Church, said that Jesus was probably not born in a manger, that there were no animals present and there was "probably" no snow as most Nativity Scenes depict. HMMM ... The photograph at left is of my daughter Katie standing in front of the entrance to the Old City in Jerusalem. As you can see the ground is covered with snow. The day the photo was taken we were to have been in Bethlehem but could not get there because of the snow. If the good Bishop doesn't know that it snows in Bethlehem what does he know about the Nativity Scene? His comments can be found here.

NEW CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The December 12, 2007 issue of the Chairman's Report is now available online. This issue contains the latest information on hearings before the 9th Circuit Court on Michael Newdow's "under God" lawsuit. This issue also contains more information on House and Senate legislation and the Iraqi Christian situation. Click here to view the PDF of the new Chairman's Report.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM NEWSLETTER - The December issue of the Justice Departments newsletter on religious freedom is available. I suggest you look over the current issue and determine if you would like to subscribe.

INTERNATIONAL

NEW VIDEO AVAILABLE- Thousands of people have viewed the new video on the persecution of Iraqi Christians that is streaming from the Religious Freedom Coalition Internet site. Click here to view the 20 minute video prepared by the Chaldean Church. For information is available at www.christianrefugees.blogspot.com

VISIT OUR CHRISTMAS STORE

THE PLEDGE - My most recent book, The Pledge: One Nation Under God, has been released and is now available online and at bookstores. The book has a forward by Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) who is the primary sponsor of the Pledge Protection Act to keep "under God" in the Pledge. Please order The Pledge from the RFC bookstore, as the funds will be used to help fight to keep "under God" in the Pledge. Click here or on Image to learn more. OUR CHRISTIAN INTERNET STORE - We have lots of great stuff for Christmas at our Internet store. Not only are there books and CD's, but everything from candy to jewelry and all of it has a Christian theme. Unlike Amazon and other major Internet stores we do not sell porn and satanic materials right beside Christian books. Ours is a real Christian store with tens of thousands of items. Please take a look. The store is located at www.rfcstore.com. Contributions to the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition can be made at www.rfcnet.org.

Week Ending December 14, 2007 - Washington, DC

Huck and Hillary / Christmas resolution passes House / Then there was nothing / Two new Republicans in House / The Senate and Sudan Divestment / New Iraqi refugee video released / All new December Chairman's Report available.

THE PRESIDENT
HUCK AND HILLARY - In an earlier update I said that if everyone who said, "I'd vote for Huckabee if I thought he could win," would actually vote for Huckabee, he would win. Suddenly all those folks started to talk to each other and realized that was true. Huckabee is now number one in Iowa, South Carolina and several other states, and he is closing in nationally on Rudy Giuliani. One poll has him in a statistical tie for first place nationally. Why is Mike Huckabee's message resonating? He didn't have any money, his campaign was run on a shoe string budget, and he didn't have any consultants to tell him what to say. Huckabee just answers the questions that are asked the best be can based on what he believes, and the people seem to like that. Meanwhile Hillary Clinton is sinking in the polls. The more voters get to know her the less they like her. There is a chance she may not win in Iowa or New Hampshire. Barack Obama has Oprah on his side, but that is not going to win him the nomination. He has no executive experience and is a first term Senator. I am beginning to think there will be a dark horse getting the Democrat nomination, perhaps someone who is not even running yet. (Previously reported at http://www.gingpac.org./

THE HOUSE
CHRISTMAS RESOLUTION - In October the Democrats, headed by radical Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, were full of glee as they passed a Ramadan Resolution through the House proclaiming Islam as one of the world's "great religions." This week Congressman Steve King (R-NY) offered H.Res 847, "Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith." Some of the statements in the resolution are:

Whereas Christians identify themselves as those who believe in the salvation from sin offered to them through the sacrifice of their savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and who, out of gratitude for the gift of salvation, commit themselves to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Bible;

Whereas Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization;

Whereas the United States, being founded as a constitutional republic in the traditions of western civilization, finds much in its history that points observers back to its roots in Christianity;

The document goes on to "resolve" that the House of Representatives "acknowledges and supports the role played by Christians and Christianity in the founding of the United States and in the formation of the western civilization." Pelosi and all but nine Democrats were forced to vote for King's resolution or face the charge that they favor Ramadan to Christmas.

AND THEN THERE WAS NOTHING- I have been on the political scene in Washington since 1980. In my nearly three decades of working to pass legislation I have never seen the House in such total disarray with a seeming inability to pass legislation, not even the authorization bills that fund the actual operation of the governments. In the next few weeks the Pentagon will actually have to send out lay-off letters to tens of thousands of civilian employees because San Francisco radical Nancy Pelosi just can't seem to get any legislation passed other than to name various post office branches after friends of her party.

WITTMAN WINS IN VIRGINIA, LATTA WINS IN OHIO - Bob Latta (R-OH) and Rob Wittman (R-VA) won special elections on December 11th for the House. The elections were important and conservative Republicans won both of them. These were not just Republican victories, but victories for the social conservative movement. Bob Latta and Rob Wittman are solid pro-life social conservatives. They won with very large margins despite a huge amount of money spent by the Democrat party. It seems that the word is out about Nancy Pelosi and the voters don't want to send her anyone else to help mess up the House.

THE SENATE
SUDAN DIVESTMENT LEGISLATION - The Senate passed S - 2271, legislation which allows state governments, asset and pension fund managers to divest from companies that do business with Sudan. The bill passed this week by by unanimous consent. A sponsor of the legislation, Senator Sam Brownback said, "This divestment legislation allows the United States to work more effectively to change the economic calculations of the Sudanese regime," said Brownback. "Since 2003, more than 400,000 people have died in Darfur and more than 2.5 million have been displaced. We must not stand idly by as more people are displaced from their homes or are killed. We have said not on our watch, and now we have said not on our dime."

RELIGION AND CULTURE
NEW CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The December 12, 2007 issue of the Chairman's Report is now available online. This issue contains the latest information on hearings before the 9th Circuit Court on Michael Newdow's "under God" lawsuit. This issue also contains more information on House and Senate legislation and the Iraqi Christian situation. Click here to view the PDF of the new Chairman's Report.

INTERNATIONAL
NEW VIDEO AVAILABLE- This week the Religious Freedom Coalition previewed a new video on the persecution of Iraqi Christians to members of the United States Senate and House. The video is now available to stream from the Religious Freedom Coalition Internet site. Click here to view the 20 minute video prepared by the Chaldean Church. For information is available at http://www.christianrefugees.blogspot.com/

VISIT OUR CHRISTMAS STORE
THE PLEDGE - My most recent book, The Pledge: One Nation Under God, has been released and is now available online and at bookstores. The book has a forward by Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) who is the primary sponsor of the Pledge Protection Act to keep "under God" in the Pledge. Please order The Pledge from the RFC bookstore, as the funds will be used to help fight to keep "under God" in the Pledge. Click here or on Image to learn more.

OUR CHRISTIAN INTERNET STORE - We have lots of great stuff for Christmas at our Internet store. Not only are there books and CD's, but everything from candy to jewelry and all of it has a Christian theme. Unlike Amazon and other major Internet stores we do not sell porn and satanic materials right beside Christian books. Ours is a real Christian store with tens of thousands of items. Please take a look. The store is located at http://www.rfcstore.com/

NEW IRAQI CHRISTIAN VIDEO

IRAQI CHRISTIANS IN PERIL VIDEO RELEASED

Washington, DC

Chairman William J. Murray today announced the release of a streaming video detailing the horrors facing Iraqi Christians.

This stunning video was produced in Beirut, Lebanon by the Chaldean Catholic Church, but is applicable to the plight of all Christians in Iraq. The personal testimonies of persecuted Christian families who have been forced to flee the homes they have had for centuries are presented. Regardless of whether an individual supported the American war effort in Iraq or not this is a must see 22 minute clip the exposes extreme Islam unleashed in that nation after the invasion.

View the video at: http://www.rfcnet.org/video/vid.html

Week Ending December 7, 2007

Iraqi Refugees and the State Department / The Race for 2008 / What are iPS cells? / Conservatives move on iPS cells / In God We Trust on our dollar coins? / Ted Kennedy's "Hate Crimes", Atheist Newdow back in court / RFC meeting at State Department / No more Christians in Bethlehem?

The President IRAQI REFUGEES AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT- Inside the Beltway, the State Department is referred to as "Foggy Bottom," partly because of the building location, but mostly because of the logic by which it operates. On Monday, December 2nd, members of our fact finding team who had traveled to the Middle East met with Assistant Secretary Sauerbrey and seven fairly high ranking members of her department concerning a draft of our report on the condition of Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. Secretary Sauerbrey is a George W. Bush political appointee to the State Department; the rest of those present were "career" officers. While the Secretary was present, the tone of the meeting was conciliatory, and it appeared that progress was being made. Upon her departure from the room, the tone quickly changed to one of an aggressive defense of status quo policy. Ninety-nine percent of State Department employees, including most ambassadors, are "career" people who have their own agendas while working under various presidents. Often their own agendas and desire to protect their careers overshadows the will of the political leaders of the nation. Unlike career professionals in the Armed Forces, those at State rarely are obedient to the desires of the elected political leaders of this nation. A report on the meeting and the "progress" made there to better the situation for Iraqi refugees is in the International section.

THE RACE FOR 2008 - The establishment media anointed two candidates for the presidential election next fall: Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Democrat Hillary Clinton, both New York liberals. Despite pounding away at Americans night and day, the elite media bosses just can't seem to get their candidates to stay on top. Despite nearly constant attacks by the conservative Wall Street Journal and the far left including the New York Times and CNN, the candidacy of Mike Huckabee continues to soar. One national poll had him tied for first place. Virtually the entire Republican establishment here in Washington fears and hates this man, probably because he speaks honesty about his beliefs.

THE HOUSE

WHAT ARE iPS CELLS?- Social conservative, pro-life Members of Congress are on the attack against embryonic stem cell funding since scientists announced the recent breakthrough with iPS cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells are created from human skin cells and there is no need to kill a human embryo to obtain them. Most scientists admit the use of iPS cells means that cures will be developed faster, and in fact there is already one major breakthrough.

CONSERVATIVES MOVE ON iPS CELLS - The "Patients First Act" offered by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) would prioritize funding for iPS cell research at such time as the research demonstrates potential for patient benefit. Pro-life Members and groups support the "Patients First Act" because it encourages stem cell research that is most likely to provide near term treatments for patients while also respecting the dignity of all human life beginning at the earliest stages. Contact your congressman about HR-2807

THE SENATE

IN GOD WE TRUST - Senator Sam Brownback introduced legislation this week to move the inscription, "In God We Trust" from the edge of the new one dollar coins to the front of them. Brownback said, "Since the colonial beginnings of the United States, citizens of this nation have officially acknowledged their dependence on God. It is important that our national motto, 'In God We Trust,' is prominently displayed on all of our currency." Brownback earlier this week met with officials from the United States Treasury to discuss moving the national motto from the side of one dollar coins to the face. Presidential one dollar coins are the only U.S. coins currently being issued by the National Mint that have inscriptions along the edge. Contact you Senator about S-2417

"HATE CRIMES DROPPED - FOR NOW - I was on a national Christian radio program Friday when it was announced that Ted Kennedy's pro-gay Hate Crimes legislation had been "barred by Congress." If that is what you heard forget about it. Ted Kennedy's pro-gay legislation was simply dropped from the Defense Authorization bill because at the conference committee level it was determined that there were not enough votes in the House for his Senate version to pass. Next week Kennedy could add this vile legislation onto the Health and Human Services (HHS Authorization), or for that matter any bill dealing with employment or law enforcement. The battle is far from over and now is not the time to declare victory. We must remain vigilant to stop Ted Kennedy's anti-family agenda.

RELIGION AND CULTURE

ATHEIST NEWDOW IN COURT- On Tuesday, December 4, 2007 the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments from atheist Michael Newdow's latest lawsuit to have "under God" removed from the Pledge to our flag. Only one of the three judge panel appeared to side with the government in the case. I expect the panel to side with Newdow in outlawing "under God" in the Pledge. Click here for Law.com review of the hearing. Have you read my book, The Pledge, One Nation Under God! ?

NEW CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The November 21, 2007 issue of the Chairman's Report is now available online. This is the latest Chairman's Report and has new information on lawsuits filed by atheist Michael Newdow. The atheist Newdow has filed a new lawsuit against "under God" in the Pledge, this time in New Hampshire. Click here to read the new Chairman's Report.

INTERNATIONAL

OUR MEETING AT STATE - At the December 2, 2007 meeting with Secretary Sauerbrey, our fact finding team learned for the first time that there is a Jordanian-American staffer at the embassy in Amman tasked with the duty of "refugee liaison." However, when we were in Jordan, Ambassador Hale told us flatly that no one was actually meeting with refugees outside the Embassy walls. One of his staff, the USAID officer, told us "It isn't our job to go to church." Not a single church leader or member of the refugee community we met with had ever met this individual and did not know of the person's existence. Perhaps this individual was meeting with UNHCR, CARITAS, and other NGO's. But, to the knowledge of church leaders in the refugee community there was no contact with this individual. Several weeks after our departure from Jordan our team received reports from church leaders saying the Embassy had begun to have contacts with the refugee community.

When we departed from the meeting on Monday we were all very concerned about the "on paper" presence of the officer tasked with refugee liaison verses the personal witness of virtually every church leader in Jordan including Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical. Click here for more complete report on our meeting with Assistant Secretary Suaerbrey.

EXPERT: CHRISTIANS VANISHING IN BETHLEHEM - Speaking at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, International human rights lawyer Justus Weiner this week said, "The systematic persecution of Christian Arabs living in Palestinian areas is being met with nearly total silence by the international community, human rights activists, the media and NGOs," He cited Muslim harassment and persecution and said there was an "acute human rights crisis" facing Christian Arabs. He predicted that there will be no more Christian communities in Palestinian controlled territories within 15 years and that only a few token Western Christian clergymen would be in the area. Click here for full story.

VISIT OUR CHRISTMAS STORE

THE PLEDGE - My most recent book, The Pledge: One Nation Under God, has been released and is now available online and at bookstores. The book has a forward by Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) who is the primary sponsor of the Pledge Protection Act to keep "under God" in the Pledge. Please order The Pledge from the RFC bookstore, as the funds will be used to help fight to keep "under God" in the Pledge. Click here or on Image to learn more.

OUR CHRISTIAN INTERNET STORE - We have lots of great stuff for Christmas at our Internet store. Not only are there books and CD's, but everything from candy to jewelry and all of it has a Christian theme. Unlike Amazon and other major Internet stores we do not sell porn and satanic materials right beside Christian books. Ours is a real Christian store with tens of thousands of items. Please take a look. The store is located at www.rfcstore.com. Contributions to the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition can be made at www.rfcnet.org.