ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin told ministry students at her former church that the United States sent troops to fight in the Iraq war on a "task that is from God."
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(Photo: AP Images / Department of Defense, Sgt. Jacob A. McDonald)In this photo provided by the Department of Defense, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, center, arms a simulated roadside bomb on the IED defeat course at the training village on Camp Beuhring, Kuwait, on July 24, 2007. Republican John McCain introduced first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.
In an address last June, the Republican vice presidential candidate also urged ministry students to pray for a plan to build a $30 billion natural gas pipeline in the state, calling it "God's will."
Palin asked the students to pray for the troops in Iraq, and noted that her eldest son, Track, was expected to be deployed there.
"Our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God," she said. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that plan is God's plan."
A video of the speech was posted at the Wasilla Assembly of God's Web site before finding its way on to other sites on the Internet.
Palin told graduating students of the church's School of Ministry, "What I need to do is strike a deal with you guys." As they preached the love of Jesus throughout Alaska, she said, she'd work to implement God's will from the governor's office, including creating jobs by building a pipeline to bring North Slope natural gas to North American markets.
"God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that," she said.
"I can do my job there in developing our natural resources and doing things like getting the roads paved and making sure our troopers have their cop cars and their uniforms and their guns, and making sure our public schools are funded," she added. "But really all of that stuff doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart isn't right with God."
Palin attended the evangelical church from the time she was a teenager until 2002, the church said in a statement posted on its Web site. She has continued to attend special conferences and meetings there. Religious conservatives have welcomed her selection as John McCain's running mate.
The Assemblies of God, which claims nearly 3 million members, is one of the biggest Pentecostal groups in the U.S. Unlike most other Christians — including most evangelicals — Pentecostals believe in "baptism in the Holy Spirit." That can manifest itself through speaking in tongues, modern-day prophesy and faith healing. The Assemblies of God teaches that spirit baptism must be accompanied by speaking in tongues. Still, some churchgoers never have the experience.
Rob Boston, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, lamented Palin's comments.
"I miss the days when pastors delivered sermons and politicians delivered political speeches," he said. "The United States is increasingly diverse religiously. The job of a president is to unify all those different people and bring them together around policy goals, not to act as a kind of national pastor and bring people to God."
The section of the church's Web site where videos of past sermons were posted was shut down Wednesday, and a message was posted saying that the site "was never intended to handle the traffic it has received in the last few days."
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seedplanter,
You said "If the WMDs in Iraq would have been used against the US, the press would have eaten Bush alive." Yes that is true. One mistake that I do believe that Bush (and NATO) made is that they hem and hawed when they were accusing Saddam of having WMD. We kept giving ulitmatums that he kept thumbing his nose at us. We kept asking him to let our inspectors in to see, and he kept refusing. NATO was like a bulldog with no teeth. We gave him more than enough time to destroy or hide all evidence of WMD. We should have given him just one chance and then gone in. I bet we probably would have found what we were looking for then.
Mike and Scit,
Neither Bush nor Clinton are running for re-election. I think that if you are honest you will admit that Clinton for the most part was operating under polls and popular opinion. I don't mean that in a demeaning way even though this has been used to criticize him. Bush on the other hand did what he thought the best thing, regardless of popular opinions. Of course no one can know what a person's motives are but God.
The point here Scit is something that both Mike (although likely a liberal) and Daniel were making in that they understand that choices have consequences and Sometimes the results are not seen immediately. If Clinton would have gone after Osama I dare say the talk shows would have eat him up. If the WMDs in Iraq would have been used against the US, the press would have eaten Bush alive.
To me the worst scenario has been that the ACLU, the New York Times and the rest of the libs have fought Bush tooth and nail over every single method used to track down terrorists. The number one intelligence gathering source was banking movements and the NY Times betrayed America and in my opinion should have been prosecuted for it. F A C T is if America is attacked again you might want to thank them first! Wasn't it the ACLU who lobbied for the legal maneuvering to go after any one who is suspicious of a would be terrorist? You want to blame Bush for everything??? Come on get real!
It's interesting that the pro-Obama camp is complaining that Bush is leaving the situation in Iraq for the next President but says "oh, don't blame Clinton. He didn't leave anything for Bush. Bush did this all by himself in his first 7 months in office! It's all Bush's fault!"
There's a word for that. Denial....
That's funny!
dp "Better to look foolish then to put up posts like yours! "
well at least you realize you look foolish. The first step in dealing with a personal problem is to admit the problem , now were making progress.
"You really look foolish blaming clinton for the mistakes of bushie & chinie."
Better to look foolish then to put up posts like yours! :D
dp "We got caught catching fanny...mae that is. It's been in trouble for a decade. One more 'bag' Clinton left for Bush to get caught holding."
If nothing else dp, your posts provide comic relief, get over clinton dude. He left office almost eight years ago..........LOL. you crack me up.
prophet "Atheists hate what Christians are "doing to our country""
Its not only atheists, but agnostics, jews, muslims, Hindu's and other christians that do not want to see an erosion of a separation of church & government. I would not be on CP if fanatical christians would stop their attempt to impose their beliefs on the rest of us. The US would be a better place if you mind your own business and leave your religion at home and at church. Keep it out of government, courts and the public schools.........
Prophet,
I am a Christian. What made you think otherwise?
dp, dude you really need to get over clinton, he hasnt been in office for almost eight years. You really look foolish blaming clinton for the mistakes of bushie & chinie.
steiner,
You said "Go!..yes go!...in the name of God!... get out of America, and move to Saudi Arabia...or Iran...and take your putrid papers with you... "
I've been saying that to you atheist for years now. Atheists hate what Christians are "doing to our country". If they (you) don't like it, there are numerous other countries that are atheists that you all would fit in with. Why aren't you living there?
Is there a holy war being fought? And whose side is God on?
Palin ought not to be afraid to answer both questions in the positive.
She should draw from the past. Just as Americans were asked to pray for their nation and their soldiers in world war 2 against fascism....
so even today, Americans must not forget that we must seek Christ in prayer in these days also.
And although Pearl Harbor was a massacre committed by Japan on Americans... America sent troops to Europe first...Japan was dealt with in due course and in due time.
The left likes to scoff at Christians by mentioning the words.. holy war...
To the left nothing is holy. For if they truly loved freedom, free conscience, human rights.... they would be reporting on the failings of our (western) governments at addressing the appalling nature of human rights issues in islamic countries...where fascism rules...
And when the U.N. is allowing the OIC to run its agenda on human rights..and our so called free media is not letting the public know what the OIC is doing as it is being led by countries like Pakistan...the worst human rights abusers...
and yet seek to establish and sanctify the worst atrocities against humanity as beyond question and beyond criticism because of its islamic origins in sharia...and the media says nothing of this...then it is high time that we tell the public media that they are unholy and unAmerican...and ought to move to countries that have systems of thought that they so desperately defend.
Go!..yes go!...in the name of God!... get out of America, and move to Saudi Arabia...or Iran...and take your putrid papers with you...
Mike,
You're right. Why should Clinton have taken care of the problem when it was more accessable? It wasn't his responsibility. If he had done his job, there wouldn't have been a 9/11.
to prophet
'clinton was working on our fat bellies while he ignored the wolf at the door. Then when the wolf finally bit on 9/11.'
what about bush. he ignored the PRESIDENTIAL DAILY BRIEFING titled 'BIN LADEN DETERMINED TO ATTACK ON US' & the president on 911 2001 is bush. bush was elected on 2000 bec. there was this scandalous, messy election in florida.
is clinton the president on 9112001. you should get your facts straight. hahahahaha hehehe hohohohoho!!
to prophet
At least Bush did something besides get his female employee to give him sexual favors. He went in to get the job done
get the job done? by lying to start a war in iraq that did not even have to do with 911. if he got the job done, then how come bin laden still alive. you cannot answer me regarding OBL why he is still alive if bush GOT THE JOB DONE. hahaha. and once he leaves office, you war mongers will blame the next president for this 'mission accomplish' on iraq. typical, create a mess dump it on others, then blame them.
to seedplanter
al quaida beaten beyond recovery? right now there are attacks in afganistan. hahahahaha. you guys are in denial of the situation bec. you cannot accept that bush presidency is a failre. hahahaha hehehehe. hohohoho
"Since you seem to know your history you should also know that the financial turn around for the US has included at least two key problems that have been a ticking time bomb:
1. The economy has been driven by consumerism.
2. Loose loans by banks who should have known better"
You've got that straight! We got caught catching fanny...mae that is. It's been in trouble for a decade. One more 'bag' Clinton left for Bush to get caught holding.
seed "Furthermore neither Obama nor McCain were in favor of the invasion of Iraq. "
Ah, Obama, against invasion. mccain, was an early supporter of iraq invasion. do some fact checking.....
How many innocent lives did that "economic growth" cost us? Would you consider it a fair trade?
"at least during clinton's year, there is economic growth, low unemployment & budget surplus."
Yep. He was a smart man. He ignored our security for favor of living high on the hog. He was working on our fat bellies while he ignored the wolf at the door. Then when the wolf finally bit on 9/11, Clinton smiled smugly as Bush was blamed instead of him.
mike,
LOL. You said "and bush will do the same. he will leave the mess of iraq, economy, & bin laden to the next president."
At least Bush did something besides get his female employee to give him sexual favors. He went in to get the job done. And as Bush said at the beginning of the war, that it would not be a quick war. But unfortunately, most people (like you ) want it quick and easy. If that's what you want, then buy Pillsbury crescent rolls.
Mike,
The CIA had Osama in their grasp during the Clinton administration. He ordered them to stand down. Bush did not blame him however. Why blame Bush? Military Intelligence has been doing their part including capturing numerous high members of Osama's henchmen. Al Qaeda has been beaten down possibly beyond recovery.
Although you are so quick to judge Bush for everything I might say that the economic condition was predicted during the Clinton chronicles by numerous experts including the late Larry Burkett of Crown Financial Concepts.
Since you seem to know your history you should also know that the financial turn around for the US has included at least two key problems that have been a ticking time bomb:
1. The economy has been driven by consumerism.
2. Loose loans by banks who should have known better.
As far as I am concerned I think that the Republicans have been taking notes from the Democrats regarding liberal spending. Neverthless, being from a state which is controlled by Democrats, they are destroying the economy. Hospitals are not being paid, state parks are being shut down, last year a woman wasn't getting paid her pension (her husband gave his life as an officer). The state has owed me money for almost two years and I have yet to see a dime of it.
So much for shifting the blame game!
mike, and don't forget the escapades in the o_al office, something I'm sure he is very proud of.
and bush will do the same. he will leave the mess of iraq, economy, & bin laden to the next president.
at least during clinton's year, there is economic growth, low unemployment & budget surplus.
after bush, $9 trillion debt, bin laden roaming afghanistan, iraq mess, disrespect of the US constitution (thinking he is above the law) & blaming everybody for being a DECIDER
By the way, the Clinton administration knew that Bin Laden was a serious threat, even during his tenure, but yet did nothing about it. He left if for the next guy to handle.
to seedplanter
typical. then why is it that bush has not captured bin laden. it's been 7 yrs. that bin laden has been hiding from cave to cave. instead of bin laden,- the real mastermind of 911 - he blamed it on saddam & iraq, blame it on clinton.
'No one in their right mind can blame Bush for the next attack' - the Presidential Daily Briefing during bush term says, BIN LADEN DETERMINED TO ATTACK US. what does that mean. that is a clear warning but he ignored it. and once truth like that is exposed to people like you, you start labeling people like liberal, communist, leftist. always blame others for the mistakes that bush made when he called himself THE DECIDER.
and by the way, the problem did not start with carter if you are talking about iran. it started with eisenhower. he overthrew mosedeq & install a dictator the shah of iran who brutalized its people for 30yrs. you should read history in the 1950s & not just during carter's term.
by the way bush flips flops too & bush's inexperience & incompetency destroyed this nation from 2001 - 2008. but always blame it on others. he is not fit to be president bec. he cannot & does not want to take the responsiblities of the mistakes he makes.
I think everyone needs to see this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8
"if [A]merica would be attacked again it's because of incompetence..."
-Mike
Mike,
I don't think that G.W. Bush, Clinton, G.H. Bush, Reagan or Carter were perfect and without any mistakes. Many date these issues back to Carter. No one in their right mind can blame Bush for the next attack. And there will be a nother one no doubt.
Be that as it may, if someone would have taken Osama seriously back when he initially declared war on America, it would have saved a lot of grief. Clinton had the chance to capture him years ago and decided not to. 9/11 was not the first of his attacks on American soil.
Furthermore neither Obama nor McCain were in favor of the invasion of Iraq. McCain was in favor of the surge which has pretty much concluded the war against the insurgents. Obama doesn't know what he is going to do from one convention to the next. One day he supports immediate withdrawal and the next he wants to invade Pakistan. Then he scraps both plans in favor of a more modest "change."
As far as whether or not Iraq and the rest of the world being better off, only time will tell. What I can say is that when friends of mine went through Iraq, they had parades and cheered them on. Iranians put signs on their roof tops saying, "Come Here Next."
One last point, this notion of American atrocities is nothing but liberal propaganda straight from the Communist hero John Kerry himself!
to star2
by the way, if the leader of a nation is arrogant, corrupt, incompetent, & listens to his cronies the nation suffers.
and that is biblical!
I find it funny that people justify & defend the incompetency of george W. bush. nobody made the decisions for him in the past 8 years except bush himself. that is why he called himself the 'decider.'
to star2
if america would be attacked again it's because of incompetence, not reading the intelligence not bec people want to feel good about it.
that statement shows irresponsibility & arrogance. you are spinning the facts to cover up the truth.
and by the way, the 18 wheelers (wmd labs) were an artist's impression & not the real pictures.
to justify a war, people will lie, start labeling others 'unpatriotic' when liars are questioned & when the truth comes out, blame it to those who were questioning the liars.
mike, would it make you feel better about how rotten Bush is if America was attacked again?
to ipepperw
really? may I remind you that the president during 911 2001 is George w bush who ignored the presidential daily briefing 'BINLADEN DETERMINED TO ATTACK US.' THAT IS THE TRUTH!
bush created this very messy, expensive war in iraq by accusing everybody 'unpatriotic' when people question his war, then blame everybody for the very same mistake that he created. THAT IS THE TRUTH!
4000 soldiers died fighting insurgents bec. bush & co. took over the 'reconstruction' of iraq for profit & greed. that is the truth!
bush politicize 911 to justify the war in iraq!
that is the truth!
There hasn't been another terrorist
attack in the USA after the 9-11 attacks.
We can thank George Bush for this and
the new respect and appreciation for our
military. Quit drinking the hate Bush
kool-aid. Be thankful for everyday you wake
up safe. Freedom isn't something to hoard,
people all over the world are praying it.
Seek the truth, not hate.
pastor al "Why not believe that God has raised up President Bush and the United States "For Such a Time as This"
I would think an all powerful god would find someone a bit more capable than george. george has been a disaster for the US & Iraq.
I don't know why people have trouble believing that God can and does raise up leaders and nations to use as instruments of judgment.
Why not believe that God has raised up President Bush and the United States "For Such a Time as This" (http:pg.mapleknoll.us/forsuchatime.html).
seed "Maybe you were thinking of a different Hitler"
Ja, der doppelganger.........LOL
Sarah Palin is being attacked in
every way possible. Be careful
what you read on the internet.
Verify, verify. Iraqi's deserve
the same freedom we enjoy.
Some of same anti-Iraq war
opponents think Sarah Palin should
have killed her precious down-syndrome
angel unaware.
For those of you who are new and didn't read the older posts here, AP completely twisted what Palin said into a lie. Compare the above to the complete stament:
"I have a little one, but my oldest, my son Trek, he's a soldier in the United States Army now. He's an infantryman... pray for our military; he's going to be deployed in September to Iraq. Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God, that's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan. So bless them with your prayers, your prayers of protection over our soldiers."
She is not saying that the war is God's will, she is requesting prayer that the USA will be in God's will.
Sara Palin': a task from God? which god? Did this woman ever read Habbakuk? Do people really believe in a God who goes back on His Word? I for one, do not! America's involvement in Iraq is purely based on greed: the root of all evil. Time to repent America! A famine will come soon because of such egregious sins: please read Ezekiel!
smurfdogg
I think these people who say that the WMDs were moved out of Iraq to Syria before the war started know more about than you do.
Colin Powell also showed satellite photographs to the UN that indicated that before the war a large number of 18 wheelers were going across the border into Syria in the middle of the night and said that they may have been carrying WMDs.
Also, Intelligence from many different countries, like the UK, Israel, and others independently said that Saddam Hussein had WMDs. Could they all be lying?
Hitler wrote on December 13th, 1941, midnight,
"When all is said, we have no reason to wish that the Italians and Spaniards should free themselves from the drug of Christianity. Let's be the only people who are immunised against the disease." (Hitler's Secret Conversations 1941-1944)
Night of 11th-12th July, 1941,
"National Socialism and religion cannot exist together..."
9th April, 1942, dinner,
"There is something very unhealthy about Christianity."
Maybe you were thinking of a different Hitler Scitsonga.
"Let it not be said that Christianity brought man the life of the soul, for that evolution was in the natural order of things." Hitler's Table Talk (Adolf Hitler, London, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1953)
For those of you who are still arguing over WMDs, the simple fact is that both the CIA and MI6 at the very least thought they had enough evidence to utilize force. I watched the videos on AOL of the weapon inspectors going in the front gates of Iraqi facilities while trucks were going out the back gates.
This is not a Democratic thing or a Republican thing. Clinton wanted to oust Sadam when he was is office. Do to the negative feedback recieved during one of his reps holding meetings on the issue at Ohio State, he decided not to.
Numerous reports have come out reporting WMDs since the initial invasion. Sadam reportedly wanted Iran to think that he had WMDs to keep them off hie back, so even if he didn't have any, he played along with the game.
Kind of makes me think of the police officer who shot a kid who didn't have a real gun.
Scit, I don't have to know German to know history.
Lets suppose we believe everything that Hitler said was what he really believed. The following quote reveals that Hitler was a man of peace:
"I think I can assure you that there is no one in Germany who will not with all his heart approve any honest attempt at an improvement of relations between Germany and France. My own feelings force me to take the same attitude... The German people has the solemn intention of living in peace and friendship with all civilized nations and powers... And I regard the maintenance of peace in Europe as especially desirable and at the same time secured, if France and Germany, on the basis of equal sharing of natural human rights, arrive at a real inner understanding... The young Germany, that is led by me and that finds its expression in the National Socialist Movement, has only the most heartfelt desire for an understanding with other European nations."
From a letter by Hitler to the French fascist Hervé and published in the Nazi Völkischer Beobachter on October 26, 1930 [Heiden, Der Fuehrer, p. 414]
Star2 ,
If there is one good lesson that I have learned in life it is never to believe everything written in the news. I choose to deal with the facts. The US did not find any WMDs - FACT ! I believe in God whom I cannot see , the same cannot be said of the US government.
scitsonga
i loved your "i read german retort." most of the posters on cp are so sure of what god and christ said, but they have no training or knowledge of the bible's languages. like the texas pol who said, if english was good enough for god, its good enough for me.
scitsonga, no doubt the whole middle east situation has our nation in quite a pickle, kosher and otherwise.
believer, thanks for your comments. Perhaps part of bin Ladens possible other motivations are what you suggest or at least helped him justify his 9-11 attack. However, the main point I have been trying to make with respect to the US presence in the ME, is that we have done much damage there and perhaps its time to let them sort it out themselves. In the eyes of bin Laden and millions Of Saudi's the US military base was a point of resentment. There were thousands of US military personnel there that used it as a base for the Air Force as you know. Bin Laden warned the US to vacate the base and to stop protecting the corrupt royal family. There is a chance in the future that if the Saudi Royal family does not reform itself, they will be overthrown by extremists , just as happened in Iran. Does America really want to be on the wrong side of history again in the ME were this to occur? Perhaps the US should have invaded SA rather than Iraq, after all, much of the funding of terrorist groups comes from SA, almost all of the 9-11 attackers where Saudi’s. It’s all very complicated there, and the US contributes to the problems there. Sadly, for OIL and the military contracts US companies have with the Royal family. In fact, the bush family is friends and business partners with members of the Saudi Royal family, all the while that they run an autocratic police state, a country that denies basic rights to woman. Iranian woman have more rights then Saudi woman, Iranian woman are at least allowed to drive cars. Why does the US continue to support the corrupt government there? I think I already answered that question.
scitsonga, using the Lord's name in vain is unfortunately not just limited to cussing.
scitsonga, I think you make some valid points in your analysis, so the question comes to what was the primary and what was the secondary motive for 9/11. For me there is no doubt that the primary motive was what I shared in my earlier post and what you shared simply affirmed or justified their right to carry out 9/11. My guess is you will say just the opposite and needless to say that is your right and I respect that. But my last active duty assignment was with an Air Force unit that sent personnel TDY to those two locations and I can say for a fact our military presence in Saudi Arabia was minimal at best and that is why I tend to lean toward the ideological reason as the cause.
seed "Hitler did not claim faith or guidance from God. "
Translated ffrom German in Mein Kampf: "Therefore, I am convinced that I am acting as the agent of our Creator. By fighting off the Jews, I am doing the Lord's Work."
I read German.....
believer, Actually your opinion of 9-11 and US involvement in the ME is very typical of the average American- US is the good guy and the perpetrators of 9-11 were just a bunch of crazies that attacked America because “they hate our freedomâ€Â. Of course it’s more complicated than that. I have on many occasions on CP attempted to discuss the negative influence the US and Britain have had on the ME for control of oil and strategic interests at the expense of promoting freedom for the people of the ME. Good example, which I have described many times on CP, was the overthrow of the Iranian prime minister in the 1950’s by British & US intelligence to insure control of Iranian oil by the West. The Shah was installed to protect the interests of the West until his overthrow in 1979 Iranian Revolution. If not for the West’s intervention in the overthrow of the prime minister, Iran might very well be a democratic republic today. Instead, Iran now has a theocratic autocracy. The Shah was a business partner of the US- we sold him weapons and trained his military, he sold us oil. A very similar situation exists in Saudi Arabia today. The corrupt and theocratic/autocratic government of the Saudi royal family are business partners of the US- we sell them weapons and protect them with the US military machine and they sell us oil. Back to 9-11, the US had military bases in Saudi Arabia for the aforementioned reasons, bin Laden warned the US to remove its military from there. Of course we didn’t, that’s the primary reason for 9-11. How would Americans feel about a foreign army occupying the US? Probably the same way bin Laden and millions of Saudi’s feel- resentful. Of the many tragedies of the resulting so-called war on terror, is the vast sums of monies wasted invading Iraq resulting in a very poorly execution of the Afghanistan intervention and the green light to throw more money at an already bloated and wasteful military. The US needs to get smarter in how we allocate defense spending resources. Consider this, bin Laden might have spent a few million dollars to carry out 9-11, the US has spent well over a trillion dollars in response with mixed results, and bin Laden is still out there.
star2, thank you for doing the homework on the WMDs, be blessed and have a great Lord's Day, believer
smurfdogg
Re: Iraq WMD
Iraq's WMD Secreted in Syria, Sada Says
By IRA STOLL, Staff Reporter of the Sun | January 26, 2006
Excerpt taken from: www.nysun.com/foreign/iraq-wmd-secreted-in-syria-sada-says/26514/
"The man who served as the no. 2 official in Saddam Hussein's air force says Iraq moved weapons of mass destruction into Syria before the war by loading the weapons into civilian aircraft in which the passenger seats were removed.
The Iraqi general, Georges Sada, makes the charges in a new book, "Saddam's Secrets," released this week. He detailed the transfers in an interview yesterday with The New York Sun.
"There are weapons of mass destruction gone out from Iraq to Syria, and they must be found and returned to safe hands," Mr. Sada said. "I am confident they were taken over."
Mr. Sada's comments come just more than a month after Israel's top general during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Moshe Yaalon, told the Sun that Saddam "transferred the chemical agents from Iraq to Syria.""
smurfdogg
Re: Iraq's WMD
The following article was taken from: www.2la.org/syria/iraq-wmd.php
A senior Syrian journalist reports Iraq WMD located in three Syrian sites
06 January, 2004
Nizar Nayuf (Nayyouf-Nayyuf), a Syrian journalist who recently defected from Syria to Western Europe and is known for bravely challenging the Syrian regime, said in a letter Monday, January 5, to Dutch newspaper “De Telegraaf,†that he knows the three sites where Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are kept. The storage places are:
-1- Tunnels dug under the town of al-Baida near the city of Hama in northern Syria. These tunnels are an integral part of an underground factory, built by the North Koreans, for producing Syrian Scud missiles. Iraqi chemical weapons and long-range missiles are stored in these tunnels.
-2- The village of Tal Snan, north of the town of Salamija, where there is a big Syrian air force camp. Vital parts of Iraq's WMD are stored there.
-3-. The city of Sjinsjar on the Syrian border with the Lebanon, south of Homs city.
Nayouf writes that the transfer of Iraqi WMD to Syria was organized by the commanders of Saddam Hussein's Special Republican Guard, including General Shalish, with the help of Assif Shoakat , Bashar Assad's cousin. Shoakat is the CEO of Bhaha, an import/export company owned by the Assad family.
In February 2003, a month before America's invasion in Iraq, very few are aware about the efforts to bring the Weapons of Mass Destruction from Iraq to Syria, and the personal involvement of Bashar Assad and his family in the operation.
Nayouf, who has won prizes for journalistic integrity, says he wrote his letter because he has terminal cancer.
believer , (about the WMDs).
I lived in the Middle East for 3 years during the last decade carefully following the conflict there. If Saddam was a threat to Israel , as you suggested , believe me that the Israelis would have done something about it just like they did back in 1981 , taking out Saddams nuclear facility. Their intelligence is pretty jacked-up , they did not need Uncle Sam to mow down Baghdad. If Syria has Saddams WMDs , Israel would not have taken out their unfinished nuclear facility in an airstrike last year. The risk of retaliation would have been too great , there was no retaliation from Syria. If Iran has Saddams WMDs then Israel would have hit them a while back. The fact of the matter is...there never were any WMDs , just lots of oil that the US could get their hands on. You are absolutely right that God is the same yesterday , today and forever. However , there are striking differences in the covenant He has with the Jews and the covenant He has with believers.
feet, "that's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that plan is God's plan." If your going to quote someone it's best to not leave out the important parts of their quote.
Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,"
were we sent into iraq to enable the death 600,000 civilians. and our going was based on lies.
dont blame the president we went into iraq out of blood lust for what happened at 9/11. george just played the role and said the things everyone wanted to hear.
has everyone forgotten the press interviews of george
press: mr president why are we going iraq
president: has weapons of mass destruction.
press: mr president how long will we be there?
president : sadaam has weapons of mass destruction.
press: how much will it cost?
president: sadaam has weapons of mass production.
is iraq different from vietnam because god didnt send us into vietnam( which we also became engaged in because of lies.)
i cannot believe that believers knowing scripture would even attempt to understate the mind of god.
how much change will their be when rep vp candiate moralizes and puts religous characterizations on political positions more freely than has been done in the past.
is it not thse kind of characterizations in the past, that have caused gridlock in congress.
One more thing Scit, Hitler did not claim faith or guidance from God. He used the Roman Catholics and the protestants, just like he used the secret societies to get in power. He knew he could not accomplish his goals with them against him. The pope knew that he could not withstand him. Hitler's desires were for Christianity to be forgotten history. I would say that he held more in common with your camp as a millitant atheist.
Scitsonga, I thought that skeptics were known for not believing everything they heard. lol.
Bush never claimed to have heard the voice of God. He did however ask God for widom and guidance. So did George Washington.
Lets put this Sarah Palin thing in context:
"I have a little one, but my oldest, my son Trek, he's a soldier in the United States Army now. He's an infantryman... pray for our military; he's going to be deployed in September to Iraq. Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God, that's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan. So bless them with your prayers, your prayers of protection over our soldiers."
She's concerned about her son, the safety of our soldiers and the blessing of God on our nation.
DRJ, you got me all wrong bro.
"dumbya bush heard "the voice of god" tell him to invade iraq"
I never heard that. I did hear that he felt it was the right thing to do. You're not reporting like AP now are you? :-0
When I lived in Asia, many of the poor people would see pictures of our slums in the cities and want to move there. It was upper class by their standards. Our playing field here in the USA is one of the more level one's in the world. Others only dream of what we take for granted like the right to vote without fear, the right to start your own business...but even more so...the right to have faith in God as Christians without fear of people breaking in your Church in the middle of service and draging you out in the street and shooting you.
Our local McDonalds throws out more food than the entire villiage (next the college my dad worked at) had to eat all day! We complain when the store doesn't have that one item we wanted. They are glad to have fish and rice twice a day. Yet, they help one another and serve one another with what little they have.
We are selfish....
seedplanter, since you say, "There is no God," I know where you get your "seeds." Let me begin at the beginning. God Almighty, our Creator, also created the one who gives you your seeds of hatred for Him. Because Lucifer (now Satan) hated His Creator and rebelled against Him, he was thrown out of heaven and cast to the earth where he is permitted by God to tempt humankind so that they will have to exercise their free will to choose to serve Good or Satan. I don't have to guess which one you have decided to serve. I encourage you to re-evaluate your choice. God, your Creator, offers you and all men eternal life if you will choose Him.
blue, "war=murder", you need to pick up a copy of "Sgt. York" with Gary Cooper you just might learn an important lesson from it.
scitsonga, 9/11 had very little to do with our meddling in the middle east. Because of our affluence and the ability of a nobody to become a somebody we are virtually hated by many to even include other nations. Granted we make our fair share of mistakes and we are by no means a perfect nation, but we are one that many desire to live in. After all I don't see many middle east nations other than Israel struggling with an immigration problem as we do in America nor do I know of any country in the middle east where their people are truly free to carry on this type of conversation without fear of reprisal if they are found out. That's why they went at the very heart of what they believe is the reason for our affluence and power, the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the White House.
seed "OK scit, why do you think they are nutty to pray for guidance and to seek God's will? George Washington did. "
Well, dumbya bush heard "the voice of god" tell him to invade iraq. hitler used "the will of god" to justify the murder of the jews. So, yes can be a bit nutty...
"The AP got it wrong,"
...well, duh!!! AP really stands for 'almost pathetic'. They are the masters of misquote but it only seems to happen with Republicans. Hum....
Thanks for the link FT.
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/04/yawn-the-ap-smears-palin-over-prayer-for-troops-in-iraq/
OK scit, why do you think they are nutty to pray for guidance and to seek God's will? George Washington did.
seed "Scit, your commentary makes a few seriously flawed presumptions:"
your post is seriously flawed , I made no such presumptions
hladami said:
"We are Christian will be more disappointed, if McCain/Palin will win the election than we are with Bush. Both parties Democratic and republican are totally control by Jewish Mafia. They have used them to realize their agenda in USA and outside killing millions for the sake of evil Israel created by an evil Jew the biggest monster J.Stalin. Media like Federal Reserve (totally owned) are also controlled and stimulated by Jews."
I know what you mean hladami, i see em everywhere too.
Last night i went to chinese restaurant and i thought there was something funny with "kosher chop suey" and all the waiters wore all black suits! So i ran outta there and called the "jewish mafia tip line" and no i'm not paranoid; they are everywhere....
The AP got it wrong, and CP should drop or edit this story. Here's what Palin REALLY said:
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."
What's missing from the AP's version? Right - the beginning of what she said, the part that makes clear she's not asserting that we're doing God's will but simply praying that we are. It's the difference between me saying "McCain will win" and "I pray McCain will win." The first is an assertion of fact/secret knowledge, the second is an expression of desire/hope. The AP actually stoops to picking up the quote mid-sentence to make it better fit the stereotype of the holy-roller yokel claiming divine inspiration for Bush's Crusade.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/04/yawn-the-ap-smears-palin-over-prayer-for-troops-in-iraq/
Scit, your commentary makes a few seriously flawed presumptions:
1. There is no God.
-Therefore she is a nut.
2. The ousting of Sadam and the retaliation against Osama was/is evil.
-Either the US deserved 9/11 or it was an inside job and furthermore we should have ignored the intelligent reports from the CIA and MI6 which revealed that Sadam's grandstanding was culminating into the production of WMDs.
And it is truly an ideology which is, was and continues to redefine man. For, if Nietzsche concluded that to be superhuman, then one must kill god, than it followed that those who were responsible for the continuation of the idea of Judeo/Christian God, to be eliminated just as well.
And ultimately this is the agenda that is taken over the minds of those that cannot call themselves free, or saved unless the Jews are eliminated.
The likes of Ahmedinejad, once again, are symptoms of an ideology that can, by its own definition, see the light only when Israel and ultimately the Jews are dead...
Imagine, 1 billion people crying fell, at being unable to succeed because of a few million Jews in Israel...what rubbish...
As regards to the Jewish people being at fault for the problems in the m.e..
this is utter hypocrisy,concocted by those that are driven by an ideology based on the hatred of Hebrews; satisfied only with the destruction of Israel and Jews as the only way of defining their own salvation...
...Would there not have been less blood-shed if God killed Saddam Himself?...
Saddam was and is a symptom of the culture in Iraq. This also implies that leaders are on the most part the tangible representatives of their own cultures/societies/ and belief systems.
The killings in Iraq continued even after Saddams death..The Iraqis were not running away from American soldiers...
In fact, when the number of American soldiers has increased, the killing has gone down, not up.
how can any believer credit themselves with knowing god's intent...................when scripture says the opposite in a number of places?
this is what we need in washington someone who rationalizes administrative decisions as a directives from god.
has it a occurred to anyone that one of the reasons for the gridlock between the 2 parties is because of the religious characterizations of political positions, moralizing ones positions on political issues.
her words give the appearance of more of the same.........accept, god forbid. she's taken it up a notch.
its one thing to express spiritual feelings within a religous group that holds in confidence what is shared. its another to express it in a political arena, where all thatis said is to win political favor.
star "How do you know that it wasn't God's will for the USA and its allies to go to war with Saddam Hussein? "
wouldnt there have been less bloodshed if god just killed saddam itself, god could have caused saddam to have a brain aneurysm, heart attack, you name it. star, get real...
star2 "How do you know that it wasn't God's will for the USA and its allies to go to war with Saddam Hussein? "
You make me laugh. I wonder if it was part of gods plan for european's to invade and kill and enslave the indigenous peoples of the Americas . Perhaps it was gods plan for europeans to take africans from their homeland, take them to the Americas and enslave them and to lynch them and to abuse them and to deny them basic liberties......all part of gods plan parhaps, like the invasion of Iraq? Hmmmm, what would jesus think of all this stuff. Oh yes, America knows whats best for all and gods on America's side. Was it god's plan to invade Vietnam and kill hundreds of thousands of its people? star, get real....
star, u get real, do you have any idea the number of Iraqi civilians that have been killed maimed, and displaced from their homes by ethnic cleansing and the destruction of Iraq as a result of the poorly planned "liberation" of Iraq. What would Jesus do? I suggest you read up on the crimes the US has commited in the ME for the last many decades to protect its oil interests there. The US and the West are the cause of many of the problems in the ME. 9-11 was due to decades of US meddeling in ME. a lot of christian hypocrites here supporting the Iraq debacle.
protect the fetus, but its OK to drop cluster bombs on Iraqi's and Afghan's. Hmmmmm, what would jesus do?
hey star2, you get real too. War = Murder. No ifs ands or buts. While I would not deny that yes, abortion ends a biological life, war destroys a nation, wreaks havoc on its inhabitants (INNOCENT citizens too, I may add), and decries our own country's morale. Intervening in a 'family affair' is an apples/bananas comparison: shaking ones head at a rape or murder or crime is not invading mostly rural, diversely ethnic communities with machine guns and AK-47s, demanding that villages give up its bad boys 'or else..'
With that said, I always seek to argue: heck! we invaded Iraq and Afghanistan to get 'dem terrorists - why not invade half the countries in Africa for the genocide and aggressive warfare and atrocious rape that incur on a daily basis by a stiff nose leader? What about China? Sudan? Myanmar? Columbia? MEXICO for arguments sake. War is never the answer.
Get real scitsonga. You are comparing apples with bananas. Aborting an unborn life that had no say so in being created and has done no harm to any one is altogether different than eliminating a mass murderer who did nothing but thumb his nose in the face of all the UN resolutions against him for his inhumanity to man.
If you saw a criminal raping, torturing, and attempting to murder his wife/child on the street that you did not personally know would you just shake your head and say how awful that is and walk away because he has a right to do with his family as he sees fit or would you try to intervene and save the family victim(s) by some kinds of means like calling the police, or physically make an effort to stop him even though you have no right to intervene in a family dispute?
bush & palin are all bout saving the fetus, but no problem using the military to invade countries leading to destruction of the country and its people. Is this what the christians of america are all about?
How do you know that it wasn't God's will for the USA and its allies to go to war with Saddam Hussein? Bush spent a couple weeks in fasting and prayer before he made his decision. I am not saying that it was God's will or that it was not but Bush did not make his decision lightly.
' "the United States sent troops to fight in the Iraq war on a "task that is from God." - Sarah Palin
She is as much a nut job as bush.
dp, "Ah...ignorance is bliss I suppose"
yes indeed it appears so. I have tried so hard to explain the reality of the ME and the mess the US and the West have made there, but you continue to remain so very ignorant.
Decades of meddeling by US in ME was reason for 9-11.
Also, one mas freedom fighter is anothers terrorist. Recall reagan calling the contras in Nicaragua "freedom fighters" when in reality they were a terrorist organization supported by the US.
The AP got it wrong. Here's what she really said:
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God," she exhorted the congregants. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."
What's missing from the AP's version? Right - the beginning of what she said, the part that makes clear she's not asserting that we're doing God's will but simply praying that we are. It's the difference between me saying "McCain will win" and "I pray McCain will win." The first is an assertion of fact/secret knowledge, the second is an expression of desire/hope. The AP actually stoops to picking up the quote mid-sentence to make it better fit the stereotype of the holy-roller yokel claiming divine inspiration for Bush's Crusade.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/04/yawn-the-ap-smears-palin-over-prayer-for-troops-in-iraq/
"The US had no business invading a sovereign nation that posed no threat to them."
Ah...ignorance is bliss I suppose. I lived in a country with terrorists funded by Iraq over 30 years ago! They've been funding terrorism world wide for longer than that. Iran has also been funding terrorism for the same length of time. We lived in Zomboanga in the S. Philippines and could see the island the missionary was murdered on. Before Iraq and Iran ended their fighting they were supplying morters to those guys. Everyone knew it. It was no secret. After they ended the fighting the two factions joined and formed the group that downed the twin towers. These guys have been funded by those two countries for decades. Everyone knows it except our media....
Also, did you happen to notice that countries that were far away from nuclear capability before this war all of a sudden had it from Iran to N. Korea? Hum...wonder where they got it from....
My faith is in God not CNN.
Instead of praying for the hungry or the tens of millions who lose their lives every year to preventable diseases; Sarah Palin prays for a war based on lies and a $30,000,000,000. pipeline. It fits right in with the GOP's leadership's focus on war and greed. They do nothing every 4 years to bring down the unwanted pregnancies, but they do spread hate and get their followers to scream "baby killers". It's potential mothers who are making the decisions. But they do so much less to open up people's minds and so much more to demonize!
smurf, "did you ever consider this may be God's plan to protect His chosen people." So what He does is He gets the most powerful nation on the earth to buy a lie that Iraq has WMDs and then they convince some other major powers and off to war we go to protect His chosen people. Believe it or not I see some validity to your premise that Israel's well being may be part of His plan, but I simply can't buy the lie of the WMDs.
smurf, perhaps we are under a new covenant, but the last time I checked God declares in the Bible that He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
smurf, you might want to take a trip to Iran or Syria and if you ask real nice they may just let you see one of Sadam's WMDs.
hladami ,
you may want to re-evaluate your attitude towards Israel and the Jewish people. Remember that they are the Lord's people (Jesus was a Jew) and since they are still in covenant with the God of Israel you may want to remember that the Word says that He will curse whoever curses Israel. Yes , Jews have a huge influence in the US and this works to Israel's advantage. Did you ever consider that this may be God's plan to protect His chosen people ?
Believer ,
When I see the WMD then I will believe it. The US had no business invading a sovereign nation that posed no threat to them. You mention God using Joshua to use military might to achieve His will , I agree. However , as you say , this was in the Old Testament. As believers we are under a new covenant , one that does not involve destroying mens lives.
Jesus told his disciples on the road to Emmaus, after his resurrection: you stupid and slow heart etc (read this part of the bible)
What to say about Palin saying: Gov. Sarah Palin told ministry students at her former church that the United States sent troops to fight in the Iraq war on a "task that is from God."
She is more than stupid I think she is just evil under nice women look.
It looks that evil will be continue is USA up to total its destruction.
Most people on this forum are apostate church. Apostate Christian like those Jews during the Jesus walk on the earth who rejected Him and become children of Satan (John 8:44)
We can see right now that what happened to the Jews will happen too many so called Christian also.
We are Christian will be more disappointed, if McCain/Palin will win the election than we are with Bush. Both parties Democratic and republican are totally control by Jewish Mafia. They have used them to realize their agenda in USA and outside killing millions for the sake of evil Israel created by an evil Jew the biggest monster J.Stalin. Media like Federal Reserve (totally owned) are also controlled and stimulated by Jews.
Look about prophecy of Benjamin Franklin about the Jews in USA.(use Google)
Following some Christian doctrine and its some law doesn't mean that you are the Christian. Bible says that if you do not have Spirit of Him you are not his.
Also, if you have Spirit of Him and do not follow Him it is the same.
Where is your treasure there is your Love. Is Christ your treasure, before everybody, everything’s? Or Christ is your only if you need get success in business, carrier Are you follow your will or His will. This par MacCain and Palin it is fake par. Most Christianity in USA is apostate Christianity. Jewish evil are using Christian also principals to run their agenda, like they were doing during Bush administration
gmac, as a Pastor of a church outside of Ft. Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division, I had the opportunity to speak to some of the brave soldiers who were part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and with rare exception each one believed indeed that the US did the right thing by going into Iraq and most said they would be willing to go back and in fact many of them have. And they also believe that Iraq did possess WMDs and could have used them and the only reason we didn't get them is because we wasted time doing the politically correct thing rather than going in sooner. And not only have these soldiers done a great job militarily they have also done a number of things to improve the quality of life for many of the Iraqi people. And I can't say with 100% certainty that it was God's will, but I personally do believe it was and of the soldiers who were also believers they to believe the same.
inadvance, apparently you've never read the Old Testament. Try reading Joshua and you will see where God's will was indeed to militarily go after the enemies of His people.
She did not make those comments in the context of a political speech. She made those comments to ministry students. Could it just be possible that a person of great faith can be a great national leader? Absolutely. If she's listening to God, she's listening to the greatest source of wisdom we have or ever will have. Keep it up Governor Palin!!!!!
I have something to say to those who wag their tongues here without the slightest understanding of God.
God has his ways, and they are for good not for evil; to prosper us not to harm us.
Now the Tsunami that hit Asia God did allow and then sent his children to help those who did need these: food, shelter, medical, hope, and LOVE. But the unlearned says: why not just stop the Tsunami then they wont be in need!" Good question, they were in greater need before the Tsunami then they were after.
Not many would understand this; because Spiritual Darkness and Satan's strongholds needed to be addressed and pulled down. And God made a way to advance his Kingdom and bring in the Light and Truth to a people who were dying in there sins. To God things take a far far different perspective than to man.
Now on Iraq. The war is there, in Afghanistan and around the world. It is not going away any time soon. So don't fool yourselves by saying it will be done in the next few years. To say it is Ordained by God, that it was his will we attack, that man had nothing to do with it is a leap. However we do know what God says:
Proverbs 29:2 "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."
We are in a Spiritual war. And many are coming to Jesus in Iraq, Iran, and all over that area. Israel as well! So, God's children are doing the good work bearing
"Eternal Fruit." Keep that in mind, "our weapons are not carnal."
I get it , Tony Blairs lie about weapons of mass desruction being ready to use in 45 minutes was all part of Gods plan, how stupid do I feel now....
Pray for Iraq...commit all the others sin you want, support ADULTERY, IDOLATRY, LIES, SLANDER GREED, etc., etc..... just don't abort 'dem babies and God will bless you
I missed that verse in the bible
DOMINIONIST!
"Our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God," she said. "That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that plan is God's plan."
Somehow I don't see Jesus leading his apostles with bayonets and camouflage after insurgents.
If I might paraphrase Rob Boston’s lament: "I miss the days when pastors delivered sermons without fear of government oversight and politicians delivered political speeches reflecting their beliefs; moral, spiritual, and political. The United States is increasingly diverse religiously. The job of a political activist is to divide all those different people and bring them arguments about personal policy goals, not to lecture the nation’s pastors and mislead people about God."
I think it is appropriate to have people pray for God's will to be done.
However, I do have to take exception with the statement:
"Our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God," she said.
I think trying to frame the Iraq war as a task assigned to us from God is a stretch to stay the least.
dongard, don't think that God's will is just for Christians, God will is for His entire creation, too include non-Christians and even atheists and agnostics.
Hey Rob Boston, did you read where she was when she shared those things, she was at a graduation ceremony for students who were going on to serve God in ministry not at some type of political event. And what she said is 110% correct. If God's people aren't in synch with God and God's Will then why should we be surprised when He does not answer our prayers or we as His people aren't experiencing His blessings on us and our nation.
many americans are very uncomfortable with officials who frame every question, every response through the lens of their faith.
i want them to perform their duties in the interest of all americans, not just christians. i see precious little sign that the people on the post care about americans who are not christians and they demand that the officials in power subscribe to christianist logic.
Yeah, what's the big deal? I think it's prudent to pray that we are following God's will.
"United States is increasingly diverse religiously."
Yep, and the vast majority believe in God. It is not possible to unite everyone. You can't please all the people all the time. Her statement unites the most people.
So, this guys point makes no real sense.