This is a rather old story, it goes all the way back to July. I have been intending to post it for a while.  But it is a critical story of what we are up against as well as being an important success story!  You remember the "Flying Imams" — the 6 suspicious acting Islamic clerics who in March intimidated a plane load of people and were removed from the plane and then later attempted to sue those who had turned them in?  Well, this led to very timely congressional action led by Reps. King (R:NY) and Steve Pearce (R:NM) to provide blanket immunity for anyone, in good faith, who reports suspicious activity from legal action, even if the suspicious person later turns out to be innocent.

The upsetting upshot of this story, though, was that Congressional Democrats, in league with Radical Leftist elements and CAIR, tried to block this provision — with a last minute, midnight hour parliamentary tactic — after previously agreeing to it publicly.  Only an outpouring of citizen outcry to the phones of Congress prevented this reversal.

Citizen Power!

Sept. 11 Security Bill to Include Protections for Citizens Who Report Suspicious Activity

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

WASHINGTON  — After nearly a week of intense, behind-the-scenes wrangling, congressional negotiators late Tuesday agreed to include in the pending Sept. 11 security bill sweeping liability protections for citizens who report suspicious activity they fear might be linked to terrorism.

The provision is meant to address the so-called "Flying Imams" case, wherein six Muslim clerics sued passengers aboard a Northwest flight in March who reported them to authorities, leading to their detention. The clerics were cleared but their lawsuit, many lawmakers feared, would discourage future vigilance among the flying public.

The Sept. 11 bill is a top Democratic priority and Republicans fought hard to include the passenger immunity protection, creating common cause with Connecticut Independent Joe Lieberman, chairman of the conference committee knitting together the House and Senate bills designed to implement unfulfilled security recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.

The bill was expected to swiftly pass the House and Senate and be signed into law by President Bush.

House Democrats, led by Mississippi's Bennie Thompson, sought changes in the immunity language but ultimately were overwhelmed by the Lieberman-GOP coalition on the conference committee.

A joint statement on the inclusion of the John Doe Protections language for terrorism tipsters by House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, and ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security Peter King, R-N.Y ., follows.

"This is a huge win — a hard-fought victory for House Republicans and, more importantly, for the American people," King said.

"In a post-9/11 reality, vigilance is essential to security. Despite the Democratic opposition to this important homeland security measure, I'm thrilled to announce that common sense has prevailed and heroic Americans who report suspicious activity will be protected from frivolous lawsuits. The American people were heard and our country is safer because of it."

Added Boehner: "I'm pleased that Democratic leaders finally decided to do the right thing and agreed with Republicans that we should be encouraging Americans to report potential terrorist activity to the proper authorities."

"This much-needed measure is critical in the effort to confront the significant threats posed by Al Qaeda and other terrorists and protect the American people. I want to thank Reps. King and [New Mexico Republican Steve] Pearce for their leadership on this issue and their efforts to make America safer."

Rick Santorum is one of the most articulate, well informed, and honest commentators on the growing threat from Radical Islam.  This article is a good summation of the problem, the"good news" that ordinary Americans understand the threat, and the "bad news" that our "leaders" are paralyzed by inaction and PC.

We all know this.  We just kind of live with it.  But our way of life: wholesome, family oriented, God fearing … cannot sustain attacks forever.

This article, by Ted Baehr, succinctly captures what has been going on over several decades.  Most recent case in point:  "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry". 

Before you say, “So what?,” you might want to consider this fact: “[Introducing] Chuck and Larry” not only mocks Christianity and overtly urges viewers to accept homosexual behavior as just another “lifestyle” choice (when did sex stop becoming a moral issue and become just a “lifestyle choice”?), it is one of the first mainstream movies to associate homosexuality with young children. Thus, one main character’s young son is an effeminate boy who dislikes sports and screams when he sees a pornographic photo of a naked woman. In another scene, a fireman talks about homosexual issues with very young schoolchildren.

Wake up, Middle Class Americans. David Walker, comptroller general of the GAO (Government Accounting Office), issued a report that blasts today's elected leaders and policy makers:

Mr Walker’s views carry weight because he is a non-partisan figure in charge of the Government Accountability Office, often described as the investigative arm of the US Congress.  In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Walker said he had mentioned some of the issues before but now wanted to “turn up the volume”.

“I’m trying to sound an alarm and issue a wake-up call,” he said. “As comptroller general I’ve got an ability to look longer-range and take on issues that others may be hesitant, and in many cases may not be in a position, to take on. “One of the concerns is obviously we are a great country but we face major sustainability challenges that we are not taking seriously enough,” said Mr Walker, who was appointed during the Clinton administration to the post, which carries a 15-year term.

The fiscal imbalance meant the US was “on a path toward an explosion of debt”.

[Presidential Candidates] “need to make fiscal responsibility and inter-generational equity one of their top priorities. If they do, I think we have a chance to turn this around but if they don’t, I think the risk of a serious crisis rises considerably”.

An example of how the First Amendment is vital in protecting the  presentation of alternative views that conflict with the Gay Agenda.  In this case, in the past, flyers promoting Gay lifestyle and activism have routinely been circulated in Arlington County public schools.  Yet when parents tried to present an alternative view, they were confronted by legal challenge. However, this one was a victory for the parents and free speech.

Stand in the Gap 2007 will be held on Saturday, October 6th from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on the Washington Monument grounds in Washington D.C.

The purpose of Stand in the Gap 2007 to put a “stake in the ground” moment during this decade when godly, trusted pastors and Christian leaders representing each living decade (and perhaps even some already departed) passes the baton from one generation to the next. The importance and urgency of this cannot be underestimated. Psalm 145:4 as the theme verse describes the main event of the day:

Psalm 145:4   "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts."

Speakers: Pastor Jonathan Falwell, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling,  Attorney General Bob McDonnell. 

This is an opportunity for pastors and church leaders to gain a more complete understanding of issues facing the family, including a discussion of Pastor's legal rights and hate crimes legislation among other social issues of concern to Pastors.

Our next Home Group meeting will be at the home of Al and Susan Strong* 7:30 - 9:30 PM, on Monday, September 24, 2007.  Based on feedback from a number of you who could not make Tuesday night, it was felt Monday night was a better fit.  See you then!

 *For directions please send an email to albert.strong@citizenreform.org .