Report From Washington - August 17, 2012

ISRAEL FACT FINDING MISSION - A once in a lifetime mission led by William J. Murray, William Federer and Frank Gaffney, all three experts on Israel and Islamic affairs. Not a standard "tour," the mission includes visits to settlements and military bases plus evening panels. Read more

IN THIS ISSUE: Obama's FBI: Attacks on Christians are not hate crimes and attacks by Muslims are not terrorism / Obama-supported rebels execute hundreds / USA in a permanent bailout / The truth about Obama / Chair of USCIRF urges protection of religious minorities in Middle East / Atheists attack 9-11 museum / Court rules against Arizona atheists / More servicemen dead at hands of Afghan cops / Muslims riot in France / Hezbollah's terror theme park / EU politicians ignore crimes of Muslim nations

Read More Below

THE PRESIDENCY 

Obama's FBI has strange definition of terrorism - A lone homosexual activist attacked the offices of the socially conservative organization Family Research Council (FRC) in Washington, DC this week. The FBI oddly labeled the attack as "domestic terrorism" rather than a "hate crime." However, they reached a very different conclusion when a Muslim fanatic at Ft. Hood in Texas killed 13 fellow soldiers, plus an unborn child. That infamous attack was designated "work place violence." The lesson from the Administration is that no mass murders committed by Muslims will ever be called terrorism, and attacks on Christians will not be called hate crimes.

Obama-supported rebels execute hundreds - In the "rebel" controlled areas of Aleppo, Syria just about everyone associated with the secular government, even postal workers, were executed. A British citizen who converted to Islam eight years ago has become one of the chief executioners for the "rebels." Fox and other news outlets refuse to report the atrocities of the jihadist rebels, instead insisting that the secular government ignores the jihadist fighters and only kills civilians. Reports by reporters of the atrocities committed by "rebels" are ignored by editors in America who seem to want yet another nation ruled by a Taliban type government.

The permanent bailout - The Obama Administration, along with the help of Congress, has created a state of "permanent "bailout" in the United States. Simply put, the government can't stop spending and bailing out large businesses and banks without a level of economic pain the public will not tolerate. Excellent article in Forbes Magazine.
Ads tell truth about Obama - The Religious Freedom Coalition has been conducting an aggressive campaign to stop the war on religious freedom being waged by the Obama Administration. During this critical year of decision the Religious Freedom Coalition will run advertisements in key newspapers asking Congress to curtail Barack Obama's secularist agenda of radically changing our nation. Learn more today

CONGRESS 

Both Houses in recess - The House will reconvene on Monday, September 10th with the first vote occurring after 6:30 PM. Although the media would like to portray any recess as a "vacation," that is far from the truth. Most congressmen work six days a week in their district offices, meeting with constituents. Each congressman has more than a quarter of a million people in his or her district, many of whom demand direct contact which they can't get when the congressman is in Washington, DC.
USCIRF chair asks Congress to protect religious minorities - Katrina Lantos Swett, the chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, held meetings on Capitol Hill to call awareness to the plight of religious minorities (mostly Christians, but to say so is politically incorrect.) As part of her push to help religious minorities in the Middle East, she wrote an op-ed that deserves attention.

RELIGION AND CULTURE 

Atheists attack 9-11 Museum - American Atheists filed a lawsuit to prevent the World Trade Center cross from being displayed in the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City. The cross, discovered in the rubble around the World Trade Center, had been formed by two steel beams from the wreckage and "served as a symbol of hope for many devastated by the worst terrorist attack in our nation's history." The Museum has now asked a Manhattan court to dismiss the lawsuit, explaining that it is an independent non-profit corporation, not a government entity, and that the cross is not a religious symbol, but "an 'important and essential artifact' that 'comprises a key component of the retelling of the story of 9/11.'
Court rules against atheists - An Arizona state court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation challenging the annual Arizona Day of Prayer proclamations. The judge dismissed the case "with prejudice," which will prevent the court from being asked to rule on the same issue in the future.

MORE FROM THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COALITION

New August Chairman's Report -Now available, the August 2nd, 2012 edition of William J. Murray's Chairman's' Report. In this issue: Obama and our dwindling freedoms / Friedrich von Hayek's predictions on the dangers of Obama style central planning / Newspaper ads in seven states warn of Obama's attacks on religious freedom / Should Christians pray for victory over the Islamist threat? Read more

Constitution or Sharia DVD - This is the complete set of DVD's from the November 11, 2011 Constitution or Sharia conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The Constitution or Sharia: Preserving Freedom Conference was the first true national conference on Sharia and the Islamization of America sponsored by major freedom oriented organizations! It was not just another educational conference. How do deal with and stop implementation of Sharia law in the United states was outlined by speakers and in panels. Order today

INTERNATIONAL 

Afghanistan - More Afghan police kill Americans - A newly recruited Afghan village policeman opened fire on his American allies on Friday, killing two U.S. service members minutes after they handed him his official weapon in an inauguration ceremony. Read more So far this year 32 service members have been killed by Muslim Afghans they had trained for police work.
France - Muslims riot near Paris - Young Muslim men rioted in northern France Tuesday. Seventeen officers were injured, a pre-school and public gym were burned down. Three non-Muslims who made the mistake of driving through the area were pulled from their cars and beaten. One man died. Not in this USA Today report nor in any other Western media report will you see any mention of the fact that the rioters were Muslims.
Lebanon - Hezbollah jihad theme park - The terror group Hezbollah has built a multimillion dollar theme park designed to indoctrinate its children about the glory of martyrdom against its enemy Israel. The mostly-outdoor museum features barbed wire, tanks, rockets, archive video footage and a lot of guns. Read more
Europe - EU politicians ignore Muslim world's crimes - Op-ed: Key element of European multiculturalism is to look away as much as possible from criminality in the Muslim world. Read more

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week Ending March 28, 2008 - Washington, DC

Bush: Burkas for Christian women OK / Iraqi church bombings are "criminal acts " not persecution by Muslims / Israel Pastor's apartment bombed, son critical / No Mitt for VP? / Obama's new racial problem? / Indian Health and abortion goes to House

NEW END OF MARCH CHAIRMAN'S REPORTS AVAILABLE - The March 29, 2008 Chairman's Report from William J. Murray is now available online in PDF version. The Chairman's Report contains some material not seen in these updates. Click to view!

THE PRESIDENT

BUSH: BURKAS OK FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN- The official policy of President George W. Bush's administration is that forcing a Christian woman to wear a burka or hijab in public is not religious persecution because nothing in Christian doctrine forbids wearing them. It is also the official policy of the Administration that there is no religious persecution of Christians in Iraq and that the 41 churches destroyed since the war began and the church bombings this past Christmas were done by "criminal elements." The US Commission on International Religious Freedom is considering designating Iraq as a "CPC" or Country of Particular Concern. The Bush Administration is in a state of panic over this possibility and is exerting extreme political pressure to avert this action. As a result, I doubt that CPC status will be issued for Iraq.

NO MITT FOR VP - Senator McCain's recent comments favorable to Mitt Romney and the current "M&M" fund raising tour featuring McCain and Mitt has social conservatives in an uproar. A group of "values voters" have prepared a full page ad addressed to McCain telling him "NO MITT" and a petition is now online at www.NoMittVP.com where social conservatives can leave a message for John McCain on the issue.

OBAMA'S NEW RACIST PROBLEM - Portions of a thesis reportedly written by Senator Obama's wife, Michelle, while at Princeton is circulating on the Internet. The document is racist and radical, calling for blacks to become "separatists" and saying that all whites are "inherently racist." There has been no verification of the document; however, the racist comments of Obama's pastor floated on the Internet for months before mainstream media dared to publish them. If this material is accurate, Senator Obama cannot claim he "was not present" enough with his wife to be aware of her beliefs.

THE HOUSE

INDIAN HEALTH AND ABORTION - When the House returns from "Spring break" next week Congressman Pitts (R-PA) intends to offer an amendment to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (HR 1328) that would codify a longstanding policy against funding of abortions with federal Indian Health Service (IHS) funds (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest of a minor). A similar amendment offered by Sen. Vitter (R-LA), in the Senate passed by a vote of 52 - 42. Please contact your congressman and ask him to support Congressman Pitts' efforts. NO ABORTION FUNDS IN INDIAN HEALTH!

THE SENATE

SENATE SOMEWHAT IN RECESS - The Senate will not take an official recess for Easter. Every few days there will be a "pro-forma" session of the Senate with only one Senator present. The purpose of these sessions is to stop President George W. Bush from making emergency appointments to the hundreds of judicial and other agency vacancies.

RELIGION AND SOCIETY

NEW MARCH CHAIRMAN'S REPORTS AVAILABLE - The March 29, 2008 Chairman's Report from William J. Murray is now available online in PDF version. The Chairman's Report contains some material not seen in these updates. Click to view!

INTERNATIONAL

OUR EVANGELIST'S APARTMENT BOMBED - The apartment of the pastor of the evangelistic ministry in Israel supported by the Religious Freedom Coalition has been bombed, and his son was critically injured. I have stayed numerous times in the Ariel apartment of David Ortiz and his wife Leah in Ariel, Samaria. I have traveled with him into the Arab areas where he ministers to Muslims. Many have accepted Christ as a result of his ministry. Part of the video done by my daughter Katie, Holy Land Teens, was filmed in the apartment that was bombed. The youngest son who was featured in that video is still in critical condition. His arms have been saved, but he has lost fingers. Microscopic surgery is to be done on his eyes to restore his sight this week. An Islamic organization has claimed responsibility, but police have not ruled out the possibility that a Jewish extremist group planted the bomb because David also pastors a House Church for Messianic Jews in Ariel. Jerusalem Post Story

SUPPORT THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COALITION

CHRISTIAN INTERNET STORE - There are literally tens of thousands of Christian theme items available at our affiliate store including jewelry from the Holy Land. It is a great place to shop for gifts. The store is located at www.rfcstore.com. Please help us with our various projects on Capitol Hill and in the Holy Land by shopping at our affiliate Christian Superstore . Contributions to the work of the Religious Freedom Coalition can be made at www.rfcnet.org.

Mike Huckabee Concedes With Honor

Everyone associated with Mike Huckabee’s campaign for the presidency, regardless of their association, was honored to be a part of the effort. In the twelve months or so that I have been involved to one degree or another I have never met anyone who regretted in anyway working with Mike Huckabee on his campaign. Some college age young people worked full time for more than a year for free, in various states. One attorney left his practice to work full time without pay, and on the night Mike Huckabee conceded he had no regrets.

Over the past year I have met with Governor Huckabee numerous times, including a meeting with him shortly before he conceded on the night of March 4^th. At no time did he show resentment or anger toward the other candidates. His positive attitude toward life and his love of God and country was evident to me in all that he did. Everyone that came in contact with Mike Huckabee was immediately struck by the honorable way in which he conducted himself at all times. My only regret is that I could not have dropped all that I was doing to work full time in his campaign.

During the campaign I was part of Team 100, the group of men who had promised to raise $100,000 each for the campaign. I actually fell short, raising just under $70,000. I regret that I was unable to raise twice or four times that amount. Mike Huckabee’s campaign was run with about 30 employees plus volunteers. Compare that to Hillary Clinton, who had hundreds of employees just in New Hampshire. Rudy Giuliani spent more than $40 million and won only one delegate. Mitt Romney spent nearly $90 million officially, for about as many delegates as Mike Huckabee won with about one tenth as much money spent. And Mitt Romney’s total does not include the millions of dollars he directed to third parties such as the Club for Growth to run a smear campaign against Gov. Huckabee.

If Mike Huckabee had won South Carolina he would have won the nomination; there is no doubt about that. He lost because those who should have been the most supportive of him abandoned their core beliefs to seek favor with those they thought would be in power. Most of America’s evangelical leaders supported a rich Mormon over a poor evangelical. They sought out the loud bandwagon leading the parade, instead of sticking with those committed to righteousness. Their support of Romney assured the victory of John McCain. There is now a wide disconnect between evangelical leaders and their grass roots. Most evangelicals in the pews were more interested in righteousness than their leaders were, and voted for Mike Huckabee. That could not have been more evident than in Texas where he received more than half a million votes, for 40%, despite the lack of support from men such as Rev. John Hagee who sold out to John McCain at the last minute to seek favor in a future White House. I have bad news for Rev. Hagee; all he did was to assist the Democrats in winning the White House.

John McCain’s mindset is still somewhere between the Nixon and Reagan administrations. He does not even think in this century. He won because of a bandwagon effect and there is no true enthusiasm for him within the party. As a Washington insider I can attest to the fact that there is a “this is the guy we are stuck with” attitude toward him.

I am writing this in Texas the day after Gov. Huckabee conceded the nomination. There is just no enthusiasm here for McCain either, not even among those who voted for him. In interviews many said they voted for McCain because he was “inevitable.” That is not the kind of support that can win an election in November. Twice as many were showing up at the polls to vote in the Democrat primary as in the Republican primary.

The outlook for November is bleak, unless ….

Unless John McCain looks at a map and realizes that that he needs to win not only the states, but the counties that Mike Huckabee won. Mike Huckabee could help John McCain carry southern states despite the huge black turnout there will be for Barack Obama. One way or another Obama will be on the Democrat ticket, either at the top or as the vice presidential nominee; that is inevitable. If McCain does as Senator Dole before him and picks a relatively unknown congressman as a running mate his fate will be the same as Bob Dole’s.

There is also the matter of temperament. John McCain is known throughout Washington, DC for his volatile temper. Having a more temperate running mate such as Mike Huckabee would help to relieve fears that he would be fast to the trigger in international disputes. Americans are not presently keen to any new armed conflicts. There is also the matter of age. McCain is twenty years older than Huckabee. Many have fears that he will not run again in 2012 at age 76, even if he wins in 2008. A young, strong conservative such as Mike Huckabee in the vice presidency would give people confidence of a continuum.

I see little hope for Republicans in November without Mike Huckabee on the Republican ticket with John McCain unless another running mate with all of Mike’s attributes can be found.

William J. Murray

Chairman, www.gingpac.org

Week Ending January 18, 2008 - Washington, DC

The President and the Saudis / Advanced smart bombs to go to Saudis? / Presidential politics - The Huckabee factor / The Pelosi "tax cut" / Senate still out of town / South Carolina primary action

FIRST 2008 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The January 4, 2008 issue of the Chairman's Report is now available online. This issue contains the latest information on atheist Michael Newdow's "under God" lawsuit. Read about conservative victories in the Congress and the Huckabee and Obama campaigns. Click here to read in PDF format

THE PRESIDENT

THE PRESIDENT AND THE SAUDIS- Watching President Bush holding a ceremonial sword over his shoulder that is used to behead "infidels" in Saudi Arabia was disheartening. Worse was his announcement that the United States would sell this scumbag dictatorship advanced weapons that can only be used for offensive warfare. The President is not served well by his advisers, particularly Secretary Rice who still believes the Soviet Union, which dissolved more than a decade ago, is a threat to the United States. While in "The Kingdom," the President also pleaded with the Saudis to pump more oil to help American consumers. The Saudis, grateful for the advanced weapons to be sold to them told President Bush they would do just that, if "market conditions warranted." In other words they told our President to take a flying leap.

THE HUCKABEE EFFECT - I am currently in South Carolina where a presidential primary will be held on Saturday the 19th. It is difficult to get around Columbia, the capital city, because of news satellite trucks and caravans of politicians making their last minute rounds for their favorite candidates. Although various polls show Senator John McCain with a small lead, it is Mike Huckabee who is the center of media attention because of his "controversial" opinions. He is publicly stating that an unborn child is a human being and that the institution of marriage should be reserved for one man and one woman. The "controversial" views of Gov. Huckabee are the very reason that my political action committee, Government Is Not God has endorsed him.

PRESIDENTIAL VOTER GUIDE - Wall-Builders has just released a really good guide to the presidential candidates that is short and concise. Some other organizations have good guides as well, but many are several pages long. Click here to view the WallBuilders voter guide in PDF format.

THE HOUSE

PELOSI'S TAX REFUND- After spending years denouncing the Bush tax cuts, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has proposed a tax "rebate" to stimulate the economy. She still does not want to make the Bush tax cuts "permanent." If those tax cuts are not codified in 2012 the people of the nation will face the biggest single tax increase in history. How odd that Pelosi wants to send billions in checks to American tax payers this year and then take away $1 trillion a year beginning in 2012. The workings of the liberal mind are a strange thing.

THE SENATE

SENATOR CLINTON'S TAX REBATE - Senator Clinton's idea of an economic stimulus is to give rebates to "poor people who can't pay their heating oil bills." Those are her words not mine. A lot of people in New York use heating oil, but virtually no one in the South or West does. Beyond pandering to her fellow New Yorkers her proposal makes no sense at all because it will not create jobs or actually stimulate the economy. Under her plan poor people pay their oil bills and that ends it. If the same tax relief is given to middle class families they use the funds to buy clothes or take vacations. Those actions create jobs which bring back jobs for the poor so they can pay their bills. The liberal mind set is not about creating jobs; it is about buying votes.

SENATE ADJOURNED- The Senate will reconvene on January 22, 2008, the day after Martin Luther King Day.

RELIGION AND CULTURE

SOUTH CAROLINA - I have been in South Carolina for several days and will continue to be here through Saturday, until late that night when a winner is declared in the primary election battle here. There has been very little time for me to research and write this week and as a result this update is rather short. I promise to be back up to speed on my inside the Beltway reporting next week.

NEW 2008 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - The January 4, 2008 issue of the Chairman's Report is now available online. This issue contains the latest information on atheist Michael Newdow's "under God" lawsuit. Read about conservative victories in the Congress and the Huckabee and Obama campaigns. Click here to read in PDF format

INTERNATIONAL

WATCH THE VIDEO ON IRAQI CHRISTIANS- Thousands of people have viewed the new video on the persecution of Iraqi Christians that is streaming from the Religious Freedom Coalition Internet site. Please send the link to others to view! 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.

Presidential Abortion Politics - A Special Update

REALLY STRANGE PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENTS

by William J. Murray (Pictured with Gov. Mike Huckabee)

Rev. Pat Robertson has endorsed pro-abortion, pro-gay presidential candidate Mayor Giuliani. Mayor Giuliani stands at the opposite end of everything Pat Robertson has claimed to work for all of his life. This strange endorsement has caused immediate problems inside the Christian Right. Randal Terry of Operation Rescue said, "I am literally sick to my stomach over Dr. Robertson's decision.” Reverend Wiley Drake, a former Second Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention, called upon his church and all Christians to boycott CBN and the 700 Club as a result of Robertson’s endorsement of Giuliani.

The next strangest development after Robertson’s backing of Giuliani is the National Right to Life Committee’s endorsement of Fred Thompson. As a politician, Fred Thompson never received a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. On the other hand presidential candidates Rep. Duncan Hunter, Rep. Tom Tancredo, Senator Sam Brownback and Governor Mike Huckabee all have had 100% pro-life ratings. I believe the highest Senator Thompson ever achieved was 88% and it was far lower at times. Just prior to the National Right to Life Committee’s endorsement, conservative columnist Robert Novak had this to say about Senator Thompson:

“Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) may have seriously wounded himself with his handling of the abortion issue on Sunday's "Meet the Press." Thompson unequivocally stated he opposed a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution, which is a plank in the Republican platform. Without prompting, he then attacked the idea of "criminalizing" abortion and locking up mothers who procure abortions -- images that are used as scare tactics by the pro-choice lobby. Throughout the long discussion of the topic, Thompson was incoherent at best and thoroughly objectionable to his party's pro-life base at worst. He backed away from his firm opposition to the platform, but he never quite set himself right on the whole issue.” (Nov. 07,2007)

Another pro-life leader, Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation then endorsed former liberal (now conservative) Governor Mitt Romney. When running for Governor of Massachusetts, Romney campaigned as “pro-choice,” pro-gay rights and anti-gun. In office he continued to promote the “pro-choice” and pro-gay agendas. Now running for President, he says he has had a change of heart and that he is anti-abortion and against gay-marriage. Another of Romney’s supporters is Rev. Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition which fights against homosexual marriage. In the past Lou Sheldon has been critical of governors such as Romney who seemed to have pro-gay agendas.

THE QUESTION

Why is the social conservative movement in the United States committing suicide? The answer is power politics. Evangelical conservative leaders are backing candidates they think will win rather than those who have been consistent social conservatives with 100% pro-life records. Many other endorsements I will not mention here have surprised me, but all seem to have one theme: “We need someone who can beat Hillary.” The assumption is that the GOP must choose a “centrist” presidential candidate or Hillary will win. The logic goes, “We need a New York liberal to beat their New York liberal.” By that logic Ronald Reagan would not have gotten the GOP presidential nomination. Reagan was too conservative to be electable by the National Right to Life Committee standards and those of many other social conservative leaders today.

Meanwhile the rank and file members of social conservative organizations are being turned off by their leadership. While National Right to Life has endorsed Fred Thompson, his numbers continue to fall in Iowa and New Hampshire while those of Governor Mike Huckabee continue to rise. Huckabee is now in a solid 2nd place in Iowa behind Governor Mitt Romney who has spent $21 million in that state alone. Huckabee has spent just $500,000 there and he has such momentum that he may well take first place on Election Day. Thompson is in fourth place in Iowa and fifth place in New Hampshire where Huckabee recently passed him. The national polls don’t matter at all because most of those folks will actually never vote in a primary.

THE RESULT

Regardless of who wins the GOP nomination the social conservative movement, and particularly evangelical leaders, lose. In an attempt to gain influence by backing pro-abortion and pro-gay candidates, evangelical leaders are losing their credibility. Had these leaders backed 100% pro-life social conservatives such as Mike Huckabee, Duncan Hunter, Sam Brownback or Tom Tancredo, their integrity would have remained intact and their word trusted when it counts next year. Unfortunately the desire of some evangelical leaders to walk with the seemingly powerful rather than with the righteous will discourage their base. In my opinion this loss of credibility of “religious right” leaders will actually boost the odds of a Hillary victory.

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William J. Murray also serves as the chairman of Government Is Not G0d- PAC