Power Grab Alert!

The buzz on the internet and talk radio these days is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). While most of us were ringing in the New Year, President Obama was busy signing this bill into law. What was so urgent that he needed to interrupt his Hawaiian vacation (on New Year's Eve, no less) and get this baby signed?

Mmm-m-m-m, guess we should take a look and find out. But before we do, lest anyone mistake this for a partisan attack, be aware that this current bill has its roots in President Bush's PATRIOT Act. Back in 2001, with 9/11 fresh in our minds, the President enacted the PATRIOT Act to protect us from further attacks. Bush-bashers had a field day condemning our loss of freedoms and rightly so. Americans are nothing, if not free. Many saw the bill as a victory--for the terrorists, that is.

Fast forward to New Year's Eve 2011. How much time did you spend watching the news that night? Is it possible Washington was playing one of its favorite tricks, or is it only coincidence unpopular legislation always seems to get pushed through late Friday, during recess, or on holidays, when few of us are paying attention?

Sections 1021 and 1022 of the NDAA, under some legal interpretations, would allow:

• indefinite detention of U.S. citizens
• under military authority
• on suspicion of terrorist acts or sympathies
• without charge or trial

In other words, this law has the potential of putting people under military detention for as long as the government likes based on suspicion alone. What happened to the American legal system?

Harvard Professor Mark Tushnet says the law is both "unnecessary and dangerous." U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders warned, "The legislation could also give future presidents the authority to throw American citizens into prison for life without charges or a trial." Others claimed Congress was redefining the entire United States as a battlefield and that "codifying by law the indefinite detention on American soil is a very dangerous step."

To be fair, President Obama says, "I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists...I want to clarify that my Administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens. Indeed, I believe that doing so would break with our most important traditions and values as a Nation. My Administration will interpret Section 1021 in a manner that ensures that any detention it authorizes complies with the Constitution, the Laws of War, and all other applicable law."

Well and good. But it begs the question, Mr. President, why sign the bill? Ours is a government of checks and balances, but this bill gives enormous power to the Executive Branch and skews the whole system. Where's the oversight? And why was this bill drafted in secret?

Virginia is the first state to propose a bill, (Virginia House Bill 1160), to nullify the NDAA. Ten other states are considering it. Perhaps it's time to contact our representatives to consider doing the same.

What, you ask, does any of this have to do with Bible prophecy? The end-time scenario cannot possibly happen without a huge erosion of our personal freedoms. Let's not wake up one day to find them gone. At least not without a fight.

Paul the Apostle once said: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13).

News:

• Nuclear power plant leaks radioactive gas in California
• AP: U.S. Government's secret "No-Fly" list doubles in last year
• 81 dolphins beach themselves in Cape Cod
• Huge fireball soars over Texas
• Israeli Deputy P.M. says "Iran was working on U.S.-range missile" at site of December 2011 explosion
• Scientists publish letter in Wall Street Journal stating that CO2 (even at 10 times current levels) is beneficial, not harmful
• UN & EU promote the eating of insects in anticipation of global food shortages
• Coldest winter in 100 years freezes much of Europe, 114 dead
• "Wide is the Gate" conference February 3 & 4 in San Bernardino. (see link at top of page)