Month: August 2013

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News/Politics 8-14-13

What’s interesting out there today?

Open thread, so feel free to share with the group. 🙂

First up, this guy just keep shooting more and more holes in the Obama admins “workplace violence” story.

From TheNYTimes  “One year after he waged a deadly shooting rampage at the Fort Hood Army base here in November 2009, Major Nidal Malik Hasan told a panel of military mental health experts that he wished he had been killed during the attack because it would have meant God had chosen him for martyrdom.”

(And yet the coward selected targets he knew were unarmed)

“Major Hasan, 42, an American-born Muslim of Palestinian descent whose long-delayed court-martial began last week in a Fort Hood courtroom,  said in the documents and in previous statements in and out of court that he carried out the attack to wage jihad for what he has called the illegal and immoral wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In the documents, he described in blunt and unapologetic terms how he killed soldiers as he stepped into a medical processing building on Nov. 5, 2009. He said he wore earplugs to muffle the sound of his semiautomatic weapon, and shot into areas that had the “greatest density of soldiers.” In the end, 13 people were dead.       

“I don’t think what I did was wrong because it was for the greater cause of helping my Muslim brothers,” he told the military panel.”

Call it what it is. Islamic terrorism. And give the victims their benefits.

You can come up with your own theory as to why the Obama admin continues to ignore the obvious. I already have one, and again, it’s because of the influence muslim groups hold with this administration.

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Pro-Morsi demonstrators are now protesting in DC as well.

From TheInvestigativeProject  “A rally Saturday in Washington supporting deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, the second in a month sponsored by a group calling itself Egyptian-Americans for Democracy and Human Rights (EADHR), along with its press conference on Friday, makes it harder for some leading American Islamists to deny their connection with the Muslim Brotherhood.”

“The pro-Morsi demonstrators who packed Freedom Plaza just a block from the White House repeated many of the same chants that have been common in Muslim Brotherhood protests in Egypt since Morsi’s fall.”

“The demonstrators and protest organizers hope to get the Obama administration to follow Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in calling Morsi’s ouster a “coup.” Thus far, Secretary of State John Kerry and the Obama administration have declined to do so, saying that the military intervened to keep Egypt from devolving into chaos.”

He’ll cave. Just watch.

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And remember folks, Al-Qeada is defeated and on the run. Or they just changed their name or something.

From TheWaPo  “A rebranded version of Iraq’s al-Qaeda affiliate is surging onto the front lines of the war in neighboring Syria, expanding into territory seized by other rebel groups and carving out the kind of sanctuaries that the U.S. military spent more than a decade fighting to prevent in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the four months since the Iraqi al-Qaeda group changed its name to reflect its growing ambitions, it has forcefully asserted its presence in some of the towns and villages captured from Syrian government forces. It has been bolstered by an influx of thousands of foreign fighters from the region and beyond.

The group, now known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, is by no means the largest of the loosely aligned rebel organizations battling to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and it is concentrated mostly in the northern and eastern provinces of the country. But with its radical ideology and tactics such as kidnappings and beheadings, the group has stamped its identity on the communities in which it is present, including, crucially, ­areas surrounding the main border crossings with Turkey.”

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Once again Eric Holder is caught playing fast and loose with the facts.

From HotAir  “Bloomberg News caught the Department of Justice in a particularly noteworthy Friday-night news dump over the weekend.  The Obama administration, stung by accusations from the Left that it hadn’t gone after fraudulent mortgages and the lenders that helped fuel the bubble, claimed that a year-long initiative run by the Mortgage Fraud Working Group in the DoJ had charged 530 people who had victimized 73,000 people.  When Bloomberg’s reporters began digging into the claim, the DoJ stonewalled — and then finally admitted it cooked the books themselves:

The Justice Department made a long-overdue disclosure late Friday: Last year when U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder boasted about the successes that a high-profile task force racked up pursuing mortgage fraud, the numbers he trumpeted were grossly overstated.

We’re not talking small differences here. Originally the Justice Department said 530 people were charged criminally as part of a year-long initiative by the multi-agency Mortgage Fraud Working Group. It now says the actual figure was 107 — or 80 percent less. Holder originally said the defendants had victimized more than 73,000 American homeowners. That number was revised to 17,185, while estimates of homeowner losses associated with the frauds dropped to $95 million from $1 billion.

Hey, they only inflated those claims by 80% and 9o% — or looking at it from the other direction, 500% and 900%.  Shouldn’t they get a chance to round up to the nearest 1000%?  If you’re wondering what prompted this sudden outbreak of honesty, Bloomberg explains that two of its reporters had figured out the fraud:

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Here’s an update from one of yesterdays stories. We may now know the culprits. Now all we need to know is who put them up to it.

From TheDailyCaller  “A new rush through the U.S. border has been triggered by an outspoken  progressive group that is exploiting new asylum regulations to demand American  citizenship for 1.7 million illegals previously deported to Mexico, according to  Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

Border officials have told advocates and TV stations that hundreds of people  are using the group’s innovative legal tactic to get approval from the border  patrol for a temporary legal stay in the country.

The National Immigrant Youth Alliance triggered the rush by sending a group  of illegals back to Mexico. The illegals then successfully used the asylum claim  to win a temporary stay in the United States. The members, dubbed the  “Dream 9,” walked up to the U.S. border and asked for asylum, based on the claim  that they’re afraid of Mexico’s drug-cartels.

The group’s tactic works because new regulations allow immigrants to ask that  a judge, rather than a border patrol officer, decide their asylum claim. Instead  of jailing the prospective immigrants until their courtroom date, border  officials are releasing many into the United States.”

Where many will disappear and ignore their court date.

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And just further proof that the sequester meme from Obama and Dems was way overstated.

From GovExec.com  “When sequestration was about to kick in, the Obama administration began a nearly across-the-board campaign to discuss the devastating impact the automatic cuts would have on agency operations.

At the center of these warnings stood employee furloughs: mandatory unpaid leave to help each department meet the lower budget caps that took effect March 1. Furloughs, combined with hiring freezes, would disrupt the proper functioning of government, agency chiefs said, as fewer employees working fewer hours could not accomplish the same amount as a fully staffed workforce.

While many federal agencies have in fact moved forward with furloughs, and there remain countless examples of sequestration interfering with government operations, most major departments have reduced furlough days, or eliminated them altogether.

The earliest examples came from departments that told Congress they would have to furlough employees, but ended up backtracking. The Education and Justice departments fall into this category. The Agriculture, Transportation and Homeland Security departments all received authority to transfer funds between agency accounts, and were therefore able to cancel planned furloughs. The Commerce Department projected furloughs at its National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only to cancel them in May.”

Defense too.

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Our Daily Thread 8-13-13

Good Morning!

I had no idea, but today is Left-Hander’s Day. 🙂

And on this day in 1521 present day Mexico City was captured by Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez from the Aztec Indians.

In 1784 the United States Legislature met for the final time in Annapolis, MD.

In 1889 a patent for a coin-operated telephone was issued to William Gray.

In 1931 the first community hospital in the U.S. was dedicated in Elk City, OK.

In 1935 the first roller derby match was held at the Coliseum in Chicago, IL.

And in 1942 Walt Disney’s “Bambi” opened at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, NY.

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Quote of the Day

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Abraham Lincoln

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Around here we like Bambi, so here’s a clip from the original trailer.

The original version of this song was released today in 1952. The closest I could find was 1965.

And someone from this band has a birthday today. Danny, my least favorite.

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Anyone have a QoD for us today?

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Prayer Requests 8-13-13

Who can we pray for today?

Psalm 150

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

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News/Politics 8-13-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

First up today, a Benghazi update. Looks like gun running is the reason for the attacks after all, and what they’ve been trying to hide all along. Breitbart and DC’s WMAL provide the details.

Via WeaselZippers  “Atty For Benghazi Whistleblower: 400 U.S. Surface-To-Air Missiles Were Stolen In Benghazi”

“Is this part of the threat that closed the embassies, the fear that our own weapons would be used against us? Joe Di Genova, who was a federal prosecutor, also notes that the President mentioned the sealed indictment to make it appear as though he was doing something, but violated a court order to reveal the sealed indictment.”

“On August 12, Joe DiGenova, attorney for one of the Benghazi whistleblowers, told Washington D.C.’s WMAL that one of the reasons people have remained tight-lipped about Benghazi is because 400 U.S. missiles were “diverted to Libya” and ended up being stolen and falling into “the hands of some very ugly people.”

The interview with the attorney is interesting to say the least.

Now what role do you suppose these weapons played in the recent warnings?

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The N.C. Gov. has signed an extensive new Voter ID law.

From TheWaPo  “North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) on Monday signed into law one of the nation’s most wide-ranging Voter ID laws.

The move is likely to touch off a major court battle over voting rights, and the Justice Department is weighing a challenge to the new law, which is the first to pass since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Voting Rights Act. “

“The measure requires voters to present government-issued photo identification at the polls and shortens the early voting period from 17 to 10 days. It will also end pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-old voters who will be 18 on Election Day and eliminates same-day voter registration.

Democrats and minority groups have been fighting against the changes, arguing that they represent an effort to suppress the minority vote and the youth vote, along with reducing Democrats’ advantage in early voting. They point out that there is little documented evidence of voter fraud.”

Wow. The Race Card. Didn’t see that comin’……  🙄

As Politico points out, a war is coming now that the old act has finally fallen.

From Politico  “State lawmakers from around the country crowded into a packed room Monday at  the meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures to learn more about  the impact of the Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down the Voting  Rights Act as activists gear up for a new battle over the ballot box.

The panelists that led at the NCSCL gathering in Atlanta said there’s so much  interest in possible voting changes that more chairs had to be brought in for  the larger-than-expected crowd that topped 100.”

“The high court’s ruling in June means that parts or all of 15 states can now  pass laws and make changes to elections without needing pre-approval from the  Justice Department – and a handful of them began to act immediately. The Justice  Department has moved to stop Texas from going forward and put it back under  preclearance, and a similar lawsuit has been filed by a separate group against a  small town in southern Alabama.

In the meantime, changes to voting procedures could be small and localized –  which may make them even more dangerous, according to activists.”

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This next one is great if you’re an illegal immigrant. But you still can’t visit the White House. As you can see, they have other funding priorities.

From FoxNews  “A sudden influx of illegal immigrants from Mexico requesting asylum is  overwhelming immigration agents in San Diego, forcing agencies to rent hotel  rooms for some undocumented families and release others to cities around the  U.S.

Documents obtained exclusively by Fox News show Immigration and Customs  Enforcement has been paying for hotel rooms for dozens of recently arrived  families to relieve overcrowding inside the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, Calif.,  processing centers. Some ICE employees are working overtime and others have been  asked to volunteer to work weekend shifts. “Duties include intake, placements,  transports and release of family groups and unaccompanied minors,” according to  a memo obtained by Fox News. 

The surge has raised suspicions about what is driving the influx, amid  claims that illegal immigrants have learned they can attempt to get asylum by  using a few key words — namely, by claiming they have a “credible fear” of drug  cartels. 

“This clearly has to have been orchestrated by somebody,” said former U.S.  Attorney for Southern California Peter Nunez. “It’s beyond belief that dozens or  hundreds or thousands of people would simultaneously decide that they should go  to the U.S. and make this claim.””

Cough (Liberals) Cough (Dems and RINO’s) Cough (Obama) Cough……

Take your pick. Lot’s of suspects to choose from. Pretty much anyone in our govt is a potential suspect. 🙄

But all sarcasm aside, this will cause legitimate requests to be questioned as well. That’s not right. Unintended consequences are never considered.

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Here’s some more of your tax dollars at work.

From Reason  “Labor activists using tactics adopted from the Occupy Wall Street movement are crashing restaurants across the nation in an effort to raise wages for workers – and they’re getting taxpayer money to fund the effort.

Using a combination of federal grants and grants from left-leaning organizations, the Restaurant Opportunity Center, or ROC, is technically a charitable nonprofit and not a union. But their pro-worker messages, anti-employer protests and self-proclaimed goal of organizing service sector employees for the purposes of negotiating higher wages make ROC look and sound much like a labor union.

Some see their tactics as a deliberate attempt to skirt the nation’s labor laws. Only unions elected by a majority of a workplace can negotiate with employers on workers’ behalf, though ROC seems to be doing so in the absence of any election.”

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Here’s an update on the Paula Dean lawsuit.

From MSN  “A federal judge Monday threw out race discrimination  claims by a former Savannah restaurant manager whose lawsuit against Paula Deen has already cost the celebrity cook a  valuable chunk of her culinary empire.

Lisa Jackson sued Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers, last year saying she  suffered from sexual harassment and racially offensive talk and employment  practices that were unfair to black workers during her five years as a manager  of Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House. Deen is co-owner of the restaurant,  which is primarily run by her brother.”

“But claims of race discrimination by Jackson, who is white, were gutted in  the 20-page opinion by U.S. District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. The judge  agreed with lawyers for Deen and Hiers that Jackson has no standing to sue her  former employers for what she claims was poor treatment of black workers,  regardless of her claims that she was offended and placed under additional  stress.

Jackson, at best, “is an accidental victim of the alleged racial  discrimination,” Moore said in his ruling. “There are no allegations that  defendant Hiers’s racially offensive comments were either directed toward  plaintiff or made with the intent to harass her.”

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And the rodeo clown with the Obama mask has been banned from the MO. State Fair.

From Yahoo  “The Missouri State Fair on Monday imposed a lifetime ban on a rodeo clown whose depiction of President Barack Obama getting charged by a bull was widely criticized by Democratic and Republican officials alike.

The rodeo clown won’t be allowed to participate or perform at the fair again. Fair officials say they’re also reviewing whether to take any action against the Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association, the contractor responsible for Saturday’s event.”

“The fair said in a written statement announcing the clown’s ban that he had engaged in an “unconscionable stunt” that was “inappropriate and not in keeping with the Fair’s standards.” The fair’s press release did not identify the clown.”

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Our Daily Thread 8-12-13

Good Morning!

On this day in 1865 disinfectant was used for the first time during surgery by Joseph Lister.

In 1867 President Andrew Johnson sparked a move to impeach him when he defied Congress by suspending Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.

In 1877 Thomas Edison invented the phonograph and made the first sound recording.

In 1898 the Spanish-American War was ended with the signing of the peace protocol.  The U.S. acquired Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Hawaii was also annexed.

In 1939 “The Wizard of Oz” premiered in Oconomowoc, WI.

In 1964 Mickey Mantle set a major league baseball record when he hit home runs from both the left and ride sides of the plate in the same game.

And in 1981 IBM unveiled its first PC.

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Quote of the Day

“Man has made 32 million laws since the Commandments were handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai… but he has never improved on God’s law.”

Cecil B. DeMille

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We’ll start with some of Mr. DeMille’s work.

Then some Wizard of Oz.

And Mr. Buck Owens has a birthday today.

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Anyone have a QoD?

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Prayer Requests 8-12-13

Who has a request or praise to share today?

Psalm 149:1-5

1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

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News/Politics 8-12-12

What’s interesting in the news today?

First up, a weird story. I see the judge’s point, but I don’t see how this survives appeal.

From TheTennessean  “A Newport mother is appealing a court’s decision after a judge ordered her son’s name be changed from “Messiah.”

Jaleesa Martin and the father of Messiah could not agree on a last name, which is how they ended up at a child support hearing in Cocke County Chancery Court on Thursday.”

“”The word Messiah is a title and it’s a title that has only been earned by one person and that one person is Jesus Christ,” Judge Ballew said.

Martin responded saying, “I was shocked. I never intended on naming my son Messiah because it means God and I didn’t think a judge could make me change my baby’s name because of her religious beliefs.””

I don’t see how she can either.

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And speaking of things that might not be legal….. 

The Constitutional Scholar strikes again. Shouldn’t he know better?

From ABCNews  “President Obama surprised aides when he revealed today the existence of a sealed indictment in the Benghazi, Libya, attack, leaving some wondering if he crossed a legal line.”

“That marked the only official confirmation so far of a sealed indictment in the Benghazi case. For days, officials across the law enforcement and intelligence communities have refused to publicly confirm reports of a sealed indictment.

After all, according to federal law, “no person may disclose [a sealed] indictment’s existence,” and a “knowing violation … may be punished as a contempt of court.” Contempt of court carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail.”

I guess he’s willing to break the law to toot his own horn. How classy. 🙄

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Another Dem using govt authority to intimidate political opponents and groups supporting Stand Your Ground laws.

From TheDailyCaller  “Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin is facing a firestorm of criticism after  sending letters to hundreds of organizations trying to find out the depth of  their relationship with the American Legislative Exchange Council.

The senator’s interest in ALEC is based on the stand your ground legislation  that has become a focal point for liberal activists and lawmakers after the  George Zimmerman trial in Florida. But his hometown newspaper, The Chicago  Tribune, editorialized that the inquiries looked like  “Durbin’s enemies list.”

“Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz released a statement today blasting Durbin’s  inquiry:

“Senator Durbin’s request for ALEC supporters to announce an official  position on gun laws in advance of a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing is  inappropriate, and I encourage recipients not to respond,” Cruz said. “While  Senator Durbin is free to make any inquiry he likes, in my view this effort  represents an inappropriate governmental intrusion into the personal and  political views of American citizens and businesses.””

Just like the IRS and FEC.

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Next up, with this kind of administration, it’s no wonder they’re bankrupt.

From Bloomberg  “In late February, cash-strapped Detroit received a $1 million check from the local school system that wasn’t deposited. The routine payment wound up in a city hall desk drawer, where it was found a month later.”

“This is the way Detroit did business as it slid toward bankruptcy, which it entered July 18. The move exposed $18 billion of long-term obligations in a city plagued by unreliable buses, broken street lights and long waits for police and ambulances. Underlying poor service is a government that lacks modern technology and can’t perform such basic functions as bill collecting, according to Kevyn Orr, Detroit’s emergency manager.”

Read the link, Detroit’s woes are legion. Gross mismanagement at all levels, and every office it seems.

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Once again, the Obama admin embarrasses the military with more of it’s social experimentation. I think they do this not only to further their push to make all things gay seem normal, but also just to humiliate the military. It’s pathetic.

From FoxNews  “The U.S. Air Force said that a well-known drag queen group was invited to perform on base during a “Diversity Day” celebration because drag is a “symbol of gay pride and unity. But the performance sparked outrage among some airmen who called the drag show “totally offensive and inappropriate.””

“The Air Force said in a statement to Fox News that “Diversity Day” featured eight cultural groups and was meant to “foster equality and diversity in the workplace.”

““Drag acts to this day represent the struggle for freedom and equality of the LGBT community, while at the same time providing a deep-rooted historical form of entertainment for the LGBT culture,” said Peggy Hodge, a spokesperson for the Office of Public Affairs.”

But it has what to do with the military or furthering it’s mission? It’s disgusting, as are the so-called military leaders who play along with this idiocy.

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Our Daily Thread 8-10-13

Good Morning!

And Happy Saturday! 🙂

On this day in 1792 King Louis XVI was taken into custody by mobs during the French Revolution.

In 1821 Missouri became the 24th state to join the Union.

In 1846 the Smithsonian Institution was chartered by Congress.

In 1921 Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with polio.

In 1927 Mount Rushmore was formally dedicated. The individual faces of the presidents were dedicated later.

In 1944 U.S. forces defeated the remaining Japanese resistance on Guam.

In 1945, the day after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan announced they would surrender.

In 1949 the National Military Establishment had its name changed to the Department of Defense.

And in 1981 Pete Rose hit a single and broke the National League all-time hit record with his 3,630 hit.

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Quote of the Day

“It is just as important that business keep out of government as that government keep out of business.”

Herbert Hoover

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Here’s an oldie to start today off. The picture isn’t great, but what do you expect, it was like 1955. 😯

Today is Bobby Hatfield’s birthday.

And it’s Todd Nichols’ as well.

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Anyone have a QoD for us?

Here’s my question. Can a hamster get an ear of corn as big as he is in his mouth without breaking it?

Let’s find out. 🙂

😯

Do not try that at home kids. Or anywhere else.

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Prayer Requests 8-10-13

Who has a request or praise to share today?

Psalm 148

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath also established them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.