Executive Summary

Samir Shabazz, a militant Islamist and member of the New Black Panthers, and his comrade Jerry Jackson were charged with voter intimidation after incidents in November 2008 in Philadelphia. After the White House appointment of Eric Holder as Attorney General, the Department of Justice dropped charges and dismissed the case against the militant Shabazz.

Unsustainable debt, miscarriage of justice, refusal to secure the borders, and using strategic agencies such as NASA for Islamic appeasement are all indicators that by design or by ignorance, the tenets of the Declaration of Independence are being violated. And this week, we continue to see the impact of this type of leadership.

Inside the White House

By Bill Koenig

Whenever Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks about the peace process with an American audience, he talks about peace with total security and the unbreakable bond that Israel has with the United States. This has also been conveyed and reiterated numerous times by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Netanyahu states that he is committed to peace and two states — but only with a demilitarized Palestinian state.

This is a good position that, in essence, "stops the process" while Netanyahu continues saying he is ready for talks immediately.

Israel has the overwhelming support of Congress — which frequently passes resolutions stating that Israel should not be required to accept any deal that jeopardizes its peace and security.

We also know that the Palestinians will not agree to be a demilitarized state; that will only be a possibility if they are defeated in a war. While no solution exists to the current situation, we know that one day a world leader will come forward with a final-day peace deal as written in Daniel 9:27.

Is a UN-Mandated Palestinian State Coming?

Rumors continue that if the Israeli-Palestinians peace talks fail later this year, the Arab nations will force the UN to pass a resolution that establishes a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and designates East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. We will watch this closely.

Israel's Neighbors Are Preparing for Eventual War

Israel's regional challenges continue to worsen with Syria, Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas preparing for war with Israel. Turkey's rapidly deteriorating relationship with Israel continues to complicate matters.

Ha'aretz reported that Israel's military on Wednesday offered evidence of what it says is a growing threat from Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, using aerial images to highlight the militants group's activities in towns and villages close to the Israeli border.

In a briefing to journalists, Israel Defense Forces Col. Ronen Marley revealed previously classified photographs to show what he said was a unit of 90 Hezbollah militants operating in the village of Al-Hiyam, where they were storing weapons close to hospitals and schools.

"Hezbollah is establishing itself with increasing strength in the villages," Marley said. "Every day, they are collecting significant intelligence on our forces along the border, and every day they are engaged in digging, building and laying communications infrastructure to prepare themselves for war."

Ha'aretz also reports that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's health has taken a serious turn for the worse, with fears that the 83-year-old is suffering from cancer.

The death of Mubarek would be followed by major political challenges in Egypt, where the Muslim Brotherhood is waiting to gain more power. Gamal Mubarek, Mubarek's youngest son, has been groomed to take his father's place but is considered weak.

Obama's Political Charade Pertaining to Israel

Israel Today wrote: "Ayoub Kara, an Israeli Druze deputy minister from Netanyahu's Likud Party, wasn't convinced by what he characterized as Obama's diplomatic charade.

"He doesn’t sound evil now because he needs Jewish votes and money," Kara told The Jerusalem Post. "But I won’t forget the pressure he put on Netanyahu and the stress I saw in the prime minister the last time he came back from Washington. He is acting the way he is for political reasons."

IDF-Pentagon Cooperation Is Superb

The officials traveling with the prime minister said Netanyahu told Gates that in eventual direct peace talks with the Palestinians, Israel would want assurances that a Palestinian state would not be able to smuggle in heavy weaponry such as rockets.

According to Robert Danin of the Council of Foreign Relations, Admiral Mike Mullen Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff has been to Israel 11 times this year.

The Jerusalem Post wrote that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday to discuss the acquisition of advanced American weapons systems to deal with the threat from Iran.

Netanyahu told Gates he's concerned that a withdrawal from Iraq, along with Iran's nuclear program, would lead to a new threat to Israel from the east.

The prime minister also wants the U.S. to provide security guarantees following peace talks with the Palestinians.

The officials said that Netanyahu had also discussed with Gates the possibility of Israel buying unspecified "defense products" from the United States in order to maintain its strategic advantage over its Middle East neighbors.

Netanyahu Addressed the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

As a media member, I was able to dial into Netanyahu's CFR address.

He used historical examples of security risks nations have faced and how they dealt with them, and he was very effective at comparing Israel's risk with Iran and their proxies. He emphasized strongly the security risk Israel faces and that he is ready for peace talks as soon as possible. He was superb!

Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel in Joint Press Availability

Note: I give a perspective below on Obama and Netanyahu's statements during their White House press availability.

Obama: Well, I just completed an excellent one-on-one discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and I want to welcome him back to the White House.
I want to, first of all, thank him for the wonderful statement that he made in honor of the Fourth of July, our Independence Day, when he was still in Israel. And it marked just one more chapter in the extraordinary friendship between our two countries.

Koenig's perspective: Good public relations statements for the Jewish audience in the United States. They began their meeting at 11 a.m. After the photo-op, they had a working lunch. Netanyahu left around 1:50 p.m. He was at the White House just under three hours.

Obama: As Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated in his speech, the bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable. It encompasses our national security and strategic interests; but most importantly, it is the bond of two democracies which share a common set of values and whose people have grown closer and closer over time.

Koenig's perspective: This unbreakable bond has become the mantra for the White House (and Israel) since the public relations debacle in late March and early April over the Biden-Jerusalem incident. Netanyahu, who is very concerned about Israel's relationship with its only true friend in the world along with his political challenges in Israel, is using "unbreakable bond" frequently.

Obama: During our discussions in our private meeting, we covered a wide range of issues. We discussed the issue of Gaza, and I commended Prime Minister Netanyahu on the progress that's been made in allowing more goods into Gaza. We've seen real progress on the ground. I think it's been acknowledged that it has moved more quickly and more effectively than many people anticipated.

Koenig's perspective: This gives Obama some degree of victory — since the world after the Turkey flotilla incident called for more access to Gaza, and the Obama Administration fronted the efforts and was able to deliver.

Obama: Obviously there is [sic] still tensions and issues there that have to be resolved, but our two countries are working cooperatively together to deal with these issues. The Quartet has been, I think, very helpful as well. And we believe that there is a way to make sure that the people of Gaza are able to prosper economically, while Israel is able to maintain its legitimate security needs in not allowing missiles and weapons to get to Hamas.

We discussed the issue of Iran, and we pointed out that as a consequence of some hard work internationally, we have instituted through the UN Security Council the toughest sanctions ever directed at an Iranian government.

In addition, last week I signed our own set of sanctions, coming out of the United States Congress, as robust as any that we've ever seen. Other countries are following suit. And so we intend to continue to put pressure on Iran to meet its international obligations and to cease the kinds of provocative behavior that has made it a threat to its neighbors and the international community.

Koenig's perspective: These are Obama's sanctions, which were watered down thanks to Russia and China. They will have some impact, but it won't stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. It will be interesting to see what kind of pressure Obama and company exerts. Iran's spoken of possible disruption of the Persian Gulf oil flow. The US ships in the region may be busy if they attempt this.

Obama: We had an extensive discussion about the prospects for Middle East peace. I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu wants peace. I think he's willing to take risks for peace. And during our conversation, he once again reaffirmed his willingness to engage in serious negotiations with the Palestinians around what I think should be the goal — not just of the two principals involved, but the entire world — and that is two states living side by side in peace and security.

Koenig's perspective: "Risk for peace" has become another Israeli line from Netanyahu, Ehud Barak and Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren.

Obama: Israel's security needs met, the Palestinians having a sovereign state that they call their own — those are goals that have obviously escaped our grasp for decades now. But now, more than ever, I think is the time for us to seize on that vision. And I think that Prime Minister Netanyahu is prepared to do so. It's going to be difficult; it's going to be hard work. But we've seen already proximity talks taking place

My envoy, George Mitchell, has helped to organize five of them so far. We expect those proximity talks to lead to direct talks, and I believe that the government of Israel is prepared to engage in such direct talks, and I commend the Prime Minister for that.

Koenig's perspective: Netanyahu has cleverly called for direct talks and enough of the proximity talks. Abbas has responded cleverly, saying he would be interested in direct talks if Israel will first agree to border (boundaries) and security issues.

Obama: There are going to need to be a whole set of confidence-building measures to make sure that people are serious and that we're sending a signal to the region that this isn’t just more talk and more process without action.

I think it is also important to recognize that the Arab states have to be supportive of peace — because although, ultimately, this is going to be determined by the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, they can't succeed unless you have the surrounding states having as — a greater investment in the process than we've seen so far.

Koenig's perspective: Confidence-building diplomatic talk is over-used and sometimes absurd. The Palestinians have never provided any confidence for one to believe that they are serious about peace with Israel. Fatah's relations with Hamas are in shambles and the Palestinian people are the ones being hurt the most. To this day, the Arab states still haven’t acknowledged Israel's right to exist.

Obama: Finally, we discussed issues that arose out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Conference. And I reiterated to the Prime Minister that there is no change in US policy when it comes to these issues. We strongly believe that given its size, its history, the region that it's in, and the threats that are leveled against us — against it, that Israel has unique security requirements. It's got to be able to respond to threats or any combination of threats in the region.

And that's why we remain unwavering in our commitment to Israel's security. And the United States will never ask Israel to take any steps that would undermine their security interests.

Koenig's perspective: Obama, the professor, wants a nuclear-free Middle East. Sure! Israel is okay here, because the Middle East will always have nuclear threats — especially after Iran develops its nuclear weapon, followed by a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria, Iran and the UAE have all been in talks on developing nuclear energy, which is a good cover for developing nuclear weapons.

Obama: So I just want to say once again that I thought the discussion that we had was excellent. We've seen over the last year how our relationship has broadened. Sometimes it doesn't get publicized; but on a whole range of issues — economic, military-to-military, issues related to Israel maintaining its qualitative military edge, intelligence-sharing, how we are able to work together effectively on the international front — that in fact our relationship is continuing to improve. And I think a lot of that has to do with the excellent work that the Prime Minister has done. So, I'm grateful.

Koenig's perspective: There were some positives such as military-to-military, issues related to Israel maintaining its qualitative military edge, intelligence-sharing and so on. As I have shared before, the Pentagon-IDF cooperation has never been better, and a lot of that has to do with the challenges in the region and the good relationship from when George W. Bush was president. Are Obama's Jewish supporters listening?

Prime Minister Netanyahu: Thank you, Mr. President.

Netanyahu: The President and I had an extensive, excellent discussion in which we discussed a broad range of issues. These include, of course, our own cooperation in the fields of intelligence and security. And exactly as the President said, it is extensive. Not everything is seen by the public, but it is seen and appreciated by us.

Koenig's perspective: He went right to intelligence and security, which will always be Israel's defense in the event they are asked to make ridiculous concessions. Obama spoke security. Congress always overwhelmingly supports Israel.

Netanyahu: We understand fully that we will work together in the coming months and years to protect our common interests, our countries, [and] our peoples, against new threats. And at the same time, we want to explore the possibility of peace.

Koenig's perspective: We have the same enemy, and we need to work together. Peace talks excite people as they has for 40 years, but there are still no deals thanks to radical Muslims committed to the destruction of the nation of Israel.

Netanyahu: The greatest new threat on the horizon, the single most dominant issue for many of us, is the prospect that Iran would acquire nuclear weapons. Iran is brutally terrorizing its people, spreading terrorism far and wide. And I very much appreciate the President's statement that he is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

That has been translated by the President through his leadership at the Security Council, which passed sanctions against Iran [and] by the U.S. bill that the President signed just a few days ago. And I urge other leaders to follow the President's lead, and other countries to follow the US lead, to adopt much tougher sanctions against Iran, primarily those directed against its energy sector.

Koenig's perspective: Netanyahu does a great job of keeping the focus on the enormous threat to all parties in the Middle East if Iran goes nuclear.

Netanyahu: As the President said, we discussed a great deal about activating, moving forward the quest for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. We're committed to that peace. I'm committed to that peace. And this peace, I think, will better the lives of Israelis, of Palestinians, and it certainly would change our region.

Israelis are prepared to do a lot to get that peace in place, but they want to make sure that after all the steps they take, that what we get is a secure peace. We don’t want a repeat of the situation where we vacate territories and those are overtaken by Iran's proxies and used as a launching ground for terrorist attacks or rocket attacks.

Koenig's perspective: This is the main reason he is at the White House. The focus is: We are interested in peace that is secure peace.

He made a perfect point about Iran's proxies: Israel moved out of southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah moved in. Israel moved out of Gaza, and Hamas consequently smuggled in more arms in five years than in the previous 30 years.

Netanyahu: I think there are solutions that we can adopt. But in order to proceed to the solutions, we need to begin negotiations in order to end them. We've begun proximity talks. I think it's high time to begin direct talks. I think with the help of President Obama, President Abbas and myself should engage in direct talks to reach a political settlement of peace, coupled with security and prosperity.

This requires that the Palestinian Authority prepare its people for peace — schools, textbooks, and so on. But I think at the end of the day, peace is the best option for all of us, and I think we have a unique opportunity and a unique time to do it.

Koenig's perspective: He again explained the problems Israel faces and that it is willing to make peace, but it is Israel's peace partners who are the problem.

Netanyahu: The President says that he has a habit of confounding all the cynics and all the naysayers and all those who preclude possibility, and he's shown it time and time again. I think I've had my opportunity to confound some cynics myself; and I think if we work together, with President Abbas, then we can bring a great message of hope to our peoples, to the region and to the world.

Koenig's perspective: A message of hope in another meeting — and then reality will set in once again.

Netanyahu: One final point, Mr. President — I want to thank you for reaffirming to me in private and now in public as you did the longstanding US commitments to Israel on matters of vital strategic importance.

Koenig's perspective: Once again, appreciation for Obama's commitment to Israel's vital strategic (security) needs.

Netanyahu: I want to thank you, too, for the great hospitality you and the First Lady have shown Sara and me and our entire delegation. And I think we have to redress the balance — you know, I've been coming here a lot. It's about time —

Obama: I'm ready.

Netanyahu: — you and the First Lady came to Israel, sir.

Obama: We look forward to it. Thank you.

Netanyahu: Any time.

Obama: Thank you very much. Thank you.

Koenig's perspective: In closing, Netanyahu asked Obama to come to Israel, and Obama reluctantly responded. I think Obama was surprised by Netanyahu’s invitation and its timing.

Regardless of what was said about the positive tone of the Obama-Netanyahu meeting, the non-verbal communication of Obama showed a person who is not comfortable with Netanyahu or the situation, and who is also conflicted in his beliefs — compounded by his Muslim outreach. Obama seemed much more comfortable with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in their June 29 meeting at the White House.

In my estimation, once again, Netanyahu wisely focused on how special US-Israel relations are, and on the security relations and needs. I think Netanyahu's repetition in making these statements was his subtle way of better gauging Obama's commitment to Israel's security and relationships with the United States.

Does Israel's Netanyahu Trust Obama?

Link to the 20-minute transcript and video of Katie Couric's interview with Benjamin Netanyahu:

Does Israel's Netanyahu Trust Obama?

Highlights of CBS News anchor Katie Couric's interview with Prime Minister Netanyahu in New York:

Couric: Do you trust Barack Obama?

Netanyahu: I trust Barack Obama, President of the United States, to carry out with me the policies that have joined Israel and the United States. And what Barack Obama has called the "unbreakable bond." We have common goals, common interests. And we now have a job to do to get on with our common goal of achieving peace with security. I trust we'll be able to do that together.

Koenig's perspective: Netanyahu cleverly stated he trusted Obama to carry out his policies that have joined Israel and the US. He is continuing to place the onus on Obama to carry out the policies and live up to his "unbreakable bond" commitment.

Couric: Some awkward moments?

Couric: Can you explain this to me then? In a poll conducted a month ago, just a month ago, 71 percent of the Jews in Israel surveyed said they dislike President Obama — 47 percent expressed a strong dislike.

Netanyahu: Well, maybe they don't have the opportunity to have the kind of conversations that I had. And maybe they're not aware also of the ongoing cooperation between Israel and the United States. In the fields of security, intelligence — the fact that the Iron dome program to protect against missiles is something that has been bolstered by this administration and by this president. We have a common goal to achieve a secure peace. I'm looking forward to working with him to achieve it.

Koenig's perspective: Again, Netanyahu is complimenting the cooperation he has received (the ones most responsible for this are influential pro-Israel Jews) while alluding to the illusive presidential dream of being the one who secures peace in Israel — which he knows is all but impossible. Netanyahu talks peace to help him at home and abroad while never letting up on the importance of Israel's security, which is the reason there has not been a peace deal.

CFR: A Conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu (Video)

A Conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu

Is This the Mark?

I just pulled this together. The new "finger vein" technology, the prophecy in Revelation 13:16-17 pertaining to the Mark of the Beast, and a dictionary definition of "mark" may reveal the Mark in our day.

Biometric ATM gives cash via 'finger vein' scan (CNN):

Biometric ATM gives cash via 'finger vein' scan

This ATM runs on the latest "finger vein" technology, with an infrared light detecting a unique pattern of micro-veins.

"This is a substantially more reliable technique than using fingerprints," Peter Jones, Hitachi's head of Security and Solutions in Europe, told CNN.

Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV): "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

One of Merriam-Webster Dictionary's definitions of "mark" is: "a distinguishing trait or quality."

Furthermore, "trait" in biology involves genes and characteristics of organisms.

Could a distinguishing trait become the Mark?

A person could be ordered to digit-scan the micro-veins in a finger on their right hand to register their personal mark, which would be based on their "distinguishing trait," as a requirement to buy and sell.

News Briefs

Iran

United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al-Otaiba, says that if the US does not confront the Iranian nuclear threat, Arab nations may turn to Iran to avoid trouble … When Otaiba was asked if he wanted the US to stop the Iranian bomb program by force, he answered: "Absolutely, absolutely. I think we are at risk of an Iranian nuclear program far more than you are at risk."

He continued, "There are many countries in the region who [sic], if they lack the assurance the US is willing to confront Iran, they will start running for cover towards Iran." He also tossed some skepticism at the idea, fashionable in Washington, that Iran can be deterred or contained if it gets a bomb. He says that's hardly credible if the West fails to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power after so many declarations that such an outcome was unacceptable. (The Wall Street Journal)

Obama Administration

Echoing Republicans, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) blasted the Obama Administration for sidestepping Congress to install Donald Berwick at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) … Berwick had not been vetted by the Finance panel, nor had Baucus scheduled a hearing to examine the nominee.

Baucus said, "Senate confirmation of presidential appointees is an essential process prescribed by the Constitution that serves as a check on executive power and protects Montanans and all Americans by ensuring that crucial questions are asked of the nominee — and answered." Baucus is the first Democrat to criticize the recess appointment, which Republicans have blasted. (American Independent News Network)

Three days after the Gulf oil accident, the Netherlands offered their extraordinary expertise and fleet of ships equipped to handle even larger spills than the one in the Gulf … The Obama Administration said "no thanks" because of US environmental rules.

The Dutch vessels, for example, suck up oily water, extract most of the oil and then discharge the rest overboard. Nearly oil-free isn't good enough for the US regulators. Finally, the US capitulated in part by fitting US ships with the Dutch equipment. Then the US postponed the clean-up to appease labor unions who insisted US crews be trained and used instead of experienced Dutch crews. (Financial Post)

Some Democrats, even in Arizona, are fearing an election backlash as President Obama sues Arizona over its new immigration enforcement law and pushes Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration overhaul … Already, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, the Democratic nominee for governor, urged the Obama Administration to back off Arizona's new law.

The president appears to be out of step with public opinion on immigration. The latest FOX News Opinion Dynamics poll shows 2-to-1 support nationwide for Arizona's law, including 73 percent of Republicans, 57 percent of Independents and one out of three Democrats. On immigration, the GOP accuses Democrats of ignoring a border crisis and selling out national security to cynically court Latino votes. (FOX News)

Religion

According to a leading minority rights organization, religious minorities are facing attack, detention, torture and the repression of their fundamental freedoms on every continent … "Religious intolerance is the new racism," says Mark Lattimer, director of Minority Rights Group International. "Many communities that have faced racial discrimination for decades are now being targeted because of their religion."

The London-based group notes in State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2010 that religious minorities in South Asia are facing increased incidents of targeted attacks and persecution "as states are turning a blind eye to the rise of nationalist and radical groups that are responsible for such acts."

The report also highlights that the targeting of minorities on religious grounds is now increasingly becoming a trend in most of Western Europe and in North America. (Christian Post)

Connecting the Dots —

By Bill Wilson, KIN Senior Analyst

It wasn't that long ago that Americans were prohibited by law from interacting with terrorists, terrorist sponsors, and those who aid and abet terrorists and terrorism.

Now, however, it seems that Americans are to understand that there is no war on terror; that terror is the result of isolated, random incidents that police are supposed to be able to handle; and that the nation is no longer fighting a war on terror but, rather, trying to assist the nations of Iraq and Afghanistan in establishing and maintaining some brand of democracy that is based on parliamentary approval of sharia law and "constitutions" that grant freedom of religion to Islam only.

This has gotten so widespread that now even NASA — the National Aeronautic and Space Administration — is kow-towing to Islam. In a recent interview with the worldwide terrorist propaganda network al Jazeera, NASA's Administrator Charles Bolden said that his "foremost" mission at NASA is to reach out to Muslims and make them feel better about their contributions to math and science.

Bolden was in the Middle East last month affirming the one-year anniversary since President Obama delivered his landmark Islamic appeasement speech to Muslim nations in Cairo. Bolden described space travel as an international collaboration —and invited Muslim nations to participate in it.

As reported by FOX News, Bolden told al Jazeera that Obama had different plans for NASA. Bolden said:

"When I became the NASA administrator — or before I became the NASA administrator — he [Obama] charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math; he wanted me to expand our international relationships; and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science … and math and engineering."

NASA's website reveals its mission is "to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research." Keep in mind, however, that the White House slashed the NASA budget by over $600 million and for all practical purposes shut down any manned space exploration. NASA has been critical to America's defense development since its inception in 1958.

Yet, according to the NASA administrator, the organization's "foremost" mission is to reach out to Islam. How many other government agencies are charged with the same?

Jesus said in Matthew 24:4 (NKJV), "Take heed that no man deceive you." This is just one example of the deceptive misuse of your tax money.