Week Ending January 4, 2007 - Washington, DC

The Huckabee and Obama wins shake things up / Bush's new worries on recession / Holocaust survivor to leave Congress / Evangelicals reject their leaders and head for Huckabee / New 2008 Chairman's Report at our site / Even fewer Iraqi refugees allowed into USA

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

HUCKABEE AND OBAMA WIN- In Iowa the message won instead of the money and this has shaken the entire GOP establishment. The Wall Street types think they own the GOP and the "religious nuts" are their pawns to knock on doors. In reality the GOP has changed and Wall Street types like Romney and his buddies are no longer the boss men. The GOP is now a party made up primarily of blue collar social conservatives and small business people. This primary season puts populists who care for the people ahead of the country club set in both parties. One year from now when President Huckabee is sworn in he will reach out to Barack Obama to help unite and rebuild America.

BUSH WORRIES ABOUT RECESSION- President George W. Bush has turned his attentions from the war in Iraq as the situation improves there, and is now paying some attention to the deteriorating economy in the United States. For the first time in several years polls indicate that the economy has replaced the Iraq war as the number one concern of Americans. AP reports on White House concerns.

THE HOUSE

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR TO LEAVE CONGRESS - Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) announced he has esophageal cancer and will not run for reelection. Lantos is serving his 14th term in the House of Representatives and is 79 years old.

The Hungarian-born Lantos immigrated to the United States in 1947 after surviving a Nazi forced-labor camp. He escaped and was one of the Holocaust survivors to be sheltered by Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who was credited with saving tens of thousands of Jews from the Nazis. Tom Lantos was one of the few Democrats who would work with Republicans on issues of religious freedom.

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

EVANGELICALS REJECT THEIR LEADERS- Rev. Pat Robertson endorsed pro-abortionist Rudy Giuliani for President, and the Right to Life Committee tossed in its lot with Fred Thompson. Others such as Rev. Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition backed multi-millionaire Mitt Romney. Evangelicals rejected the bogus endorsements of their leadership and have streamed into the camp of Gov. Mike Huckabee as I predicted. Read my Op-ed that was been published in numerous newspapers and blogs predicting this revolt of evangelicals weeks ago.

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

EVEN FEWER IRAQI'S ALLOWED IN US - Despite intense pressure by numerous groups on the White House and the State Department the number of Iraqi refugees allowed in the United States has declined each of the last two months. Rather than the 1,000 a month the White House proclaimed the number has actually dropped to less than 300 in December. See Fox News story

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.

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