"Cyberwars"

As if we don't have enough to worry about, experts are now warning of a deadly, new threat: Cyberwar. According to FoxNews, security researchers have discovered a new computer worm that is virtually impossible to detect until after it has done its dirty work.

First, the worm enters the system as a Trojan horse through the backdoor created earlier by its "parentworm". There can be numerous spin-offs creating a vast network of vulnerabilities because, rather than destroying the infected system, the worm secretly penetrates it, collecting data as it goes, sending the info back to its creator, and then self-destructing.

So what are the intentions of these hack-attacks? Potentially, anything. That's right, folks, the sky's the limit. Let your imagination run wild. According to Michael Sconzo, a senior security officer at World Wide, the new virus is "an intelligence operation and is a likely precursor to an attack."

To give you an example of what is possible, let's consider what happened back in 2010. The original Stuxnet virus (widely believed to be the culmination of a one-time espionage effort between the U.S. and Israel), penetrated Iran's secure, highly-protected security system and managed to disrupt and setback their nuclear program by several years. One thousand centrifuges were destroyed. But that was only the beginning. Since that time, computer hackers have come a long way, baby. Government officials fear "hacktivists" have been working overtime creating weaponized viruses to turn computers into lethal weapons with devastating destructive power; the hydrogen bomb of cyberwar, featuring the ability to compromise or bring down critical infrastructure such as;

• the electric grid
• nuclear power plants
• chemical plants
• oil refineries
• water treatment systems
• national defense facilities

According to Sconzo, the most important question is: who's behind the attacks? It could be Iran or Russia or even terrorists. Sconzo concludes, "There is too much not yet known to draw any conclusions about authorship." But one thing is clear: "There is nothing out there available to stop it."

Well, the hits just keep on coming, but remember what Philippians 4:6 says: "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His Peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

News:

• International Business Times: Iranian pastor, Youcef Nadarkhani, confirmed alive, execution reports false
• London Daily Mail: Sweden on track to become first nation to eliminate cash
• The Blaze.com: $2 billion NSA spy center being built in Utah desert. Will analyze and store private e-mails, cell phone calls and Google searches
• CBN News: Israel severs ties with UN Commission on Human Rights, cites Commission's failure to cooperate on matters of Israeli human rights
• Jerusalem Post: PLO and Hamas urge widespread march to Israeli borders "to affirm the Arab and Palestinian character of Jerusalem, demand J'lem be Palestinian capital
• Reuters.com: West wants Saudi Arabia to keep up oil production
• Cincinnati.com: Obama's open mic appeal to Russians is "disturbing"

"Grabbing of Power and Wars...(oh my!)"

At the risk of sounding like "grassy knoll" conspiracy theorists, we'd like to bring to your attention another controversial move by the White House. In an Executive Order signed into law--wait for it--late Friday night, (St. Patrick's Day weekend, when the rest of us were searching for something green to wear), some believe President Obama violated the Constitution.

The "National Defense Resources Preparedness (NDRP) Executive Order is an update to similar EOs passed under previous administrations. They empower the federal government to seize control of "the farming industry, all water resources, all energy, transportation, health and all other materials, services, and facilities, including construction materials in the event of a potential threat to the security of the United States." This includes privately-owned stuff like cars, etc. A key difference in this OE is that all these things can be seized "under both emergency and non-emergency conditions." This language has raised eyebrows and caused many to cry 'foul'.

Kurt Nimmo of Infowars.com takes it many steps further and says: "The government has given itself the authority to seize all communication (from television stations to CB radios), confiscate all food resources (including farms and farm equipment), take control of all transportation (including your family car), and compel you at gunpoint "under federal supervision to work as a slave."

Nimmo also claims previous administrations installed the foundation for Obama's authoritarian move saying, "Executive agencies were granted sweeping emergency powers to not only grab infrastructure and private property, but also round up citizens and put them in concentration camps and force them into slave labor brigades." Others contend the NDRP represents an effort to lay the groundwork for the complete nationalization of the U.S. economy.

While the above scenarios seem outrageously extreme, we can't help but wonder exactly what is going on. Could the administration be gearing up for war? Phil Flynn, an energy analyst at PFGBest, told MarketWatch: "The order is either a serious power grab or another sign that inside the deep recesses of the White House, they are preparing for war."

The Executive Order mandates that departments of the federal government related to defense "be prepared, in the event of a potential threat to the security of the United States, to take actions necessary to ensure the availability of adequate resources and production capability, including services and critical technology for national defense requirements."

Although White House Press Secretary Jay Carney called the EO a "routine piece of business", author Edwin Black writes that "Obama may have quietly placed the United States on a war-preparedness footing, perhaps in anticipation of an outbreak of war between Israel, the West, and Iran...the move is a precursor to any potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz which would obstruct some 40% of America's daily (oil) needs."

The U.S. has sent three aircraft carriers and numerous anti-mine ships to the Strait...hmmmm...maybe Black is onto something. Especially when you add in the speculation that emergency oil stocks will be released. Kinda makes you wonder...

Either:

• Obama is going for another power grab  OR
• The U.S. is gearing up for war  OR
• This is only a "routine piece of business"

Whatever the case may be, we thought you might like to know about it since the mainstream media has been virtually silent on the subject.

A wise man once said: "It's amazing what you can see once you look."
                                                                                                - Yogi Berra

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).

News:

• MSN News:  NYPD: Iran checking New York landmarks
• Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog: Israel clears out embassy in Egypt after Islamist-dominated Egyptian parliament expels Israeli ambassador
• CBN News: P.A. leader Abbas "disappointed" with stalled peace process, upset with U.S. focus on Israel/Iran
• Washington Post: Tanks enter Chinese capital, possible military coup
• Intel Report: Growing lack of clean water globally could spark water wars
• New York Times: Putin needs $150/barrel oil to pay for campaign promises

Slaughter in Syria

There's a bloodbath going on in Syria while the world stands by and points fingers. China accuses the West of stirring up civil war while joining Russia and Iran in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow is dead-set against any foreign intervention (any except themselves, that is). Russia is Syria's main arms supplier. Russian politicians met with Assad in Damascus to encourage his self-styled "reform program." The program will presumably forge the way for multi-party elections and address demands for more democracy.

What a joke! How can they have valid elections when the people are being butchered in the streets? A fair vote at this time is simply not possible. The country is in chaos and over 230,000 have fled. Ruling out (at least so far) any Libya-style military action, the West seems to be sucking its thumb while Rome burns (and innocent people are slaughtered).

Syria sits on the fault lines of the Middle East; What happens in Syria may not stay in Syria. Get it? Local conflict could easily explode into a regional crisis that spreads like wildfire into neighboring Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and Israel. Tensions are already high between:

• Arabs and Kurds
• Christians and Muslims
• Sunnis and Shi'ites
• Jews and the whole gang

With Shi'ite-led Iran at odds with the U.S., Europe and Israel over its nuclear program and Russia and China taking sides with Iran and Syria, it doesn't take much faith to believe we are approaching the time the Bible speaks so much about. In Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49, the Bible predicts that Damascus, Syria's capital city, will be become a "ruinous heap." Damascus is the world's oldest city and it has never come close to being a ruinous heap--at least not yet.

It's time to pray for Syria. Innocent people are being killed and the world needs to stop pointing fingers and find a way to help.

1 Timothy 2: 1, 2 says: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

News:

• Washington Free Beacon: Washington Post to publish propaganda for Communist Chinese Party
• Debka file: Israel gives Egypt and Hamas 2 days to halt missiles from Gaza
• Reuters.com: U.S., Britain set to agree on emergency oil reserves release
• Huffington Post: Texas loses $35 million in federal Medicaid funding for excluding Planned Parenthood
• Jerusalem Post: Hamas official holds talk with Iranian Foreign Minister in effort to improve relations
• CBN News: Saudi Grand Mufti: All Arabian Peninsula Christian churches "must be destroyed"

“The Ramifications of a Nuclear Iran”

What would the failure to prevent Iran from acquiring nukes look like?

Opinions range from an atomic holocaust to another Cold War, but if you ask us the “Cold War” gang is living in LaLaLand. There is simply no comparison.

The Cold War, in essence, was a struggle between two superpowers (the U.S. and the former Soviet Union), who each had the power to obliterate the other. Both wanted to survive, therefore the Cold War doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) worked.

Unfortunately, the Cold War strategic balance that existed back then is absent in the Middle East today. If Iran goes nuclear, you can bet your bottom dollar it will touch off a nuclear arms race in the region so fast and furious your head will spin. Most likely ramifications?

·        A high risk of local conflicts under the “guise” of nuclear deterrence

·        Nuclear brinkmanship and posturing with the potential for dangerous misunderstandings

·        Public pressure among Arab states to take belligerent positions and calls to go nuclear against historic enemies

·        The use of nuclear programs as leverage for enhancing clout with other nations.

·        The prospect of nuclear armed terrorists

·        A world held hostage by the threat of nuclear terror attacks

·        A very high risk of nuclear war

·        And last, but not least, we’ve got Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Don’t remember him? Well, if Iran is allowed to acquire nuclear capability, you won’t be able to forget him. Apparently, he believes he’s been “chosen” to usher in the End Times and is fervently hoping to get his apocalyptic ambitions in gear. He has threatened to “wipe Israel off the map” and his religious views threaten us all. In a nutshell, Ahmadinejad, along with a small sect of Muslims believe in the appearance of a Mahdi at the end of days who will fight on the side of Allah’s soldiers and protect them—but destroy the rest of us. And oh yeah, this Mahdi will only come during a time of terrible upheaval and destruction.

Israel is understandably concerned. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this week with President Obama to discuss options. According to The Atlantic, Obama is worried that a premature Israeli strike on Iran would make the regime less isolated. “You’re talking about the most volatile region in the world. The danger(s) of Iran getting nuclear weapons that then leads to a free-for-all in the Middle East is something that I think would be very dangerous for the world.”

Netanyahu came away from the meeting stressing Israel’s right to defend “against a country that calls, works for our destruction…the international community shouldn’t allow relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons to succeed.” Both leaders seemed to agree to allow sanctions more time, despite their famously frosty relationship.

Press conferences aside, Israel and the West are locked in a dangerous dance with Iran and the entire Middle East.

So what would the failure to prevent Iran from acquiring nukes look like? From some reports it would look something like: TEOTWAWKI*. With higher gas prices thrown in for good measure.

*the end of the world as we know it!

“Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all.”  Ezekiel 37: 21-22

News:

·        Israeli newspaper claims Obama offered bunker-buster bombs to Israel if they wait until after the election to attack Iran. White House denies the report

·        Thousands protest Russian Presidential win, putting Vladimir Putin back in office

·        EF3 tornadoes plow through U.S. Midwest killing 39

·        In a telling move, Netanyahu presents a jeweled scroll of the Book of Esther to President Obama. The book recalls a past attempt to destroy the Jews.

·        Leon Panetta: U.S. would seek int’l “permission” to take military action in Syria.

We've been getting a lot of inquiries about our books, The Greenwood Prophecy and Twilight Conspiracy. Both are available @ http://www.virtualbookworm.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/ .

"The Global Debt Bomb" (or Our Big, Fat Greek Country)

Exploding debt has torpedoed Greece, rattled much of the Euro Zone and splattered the rest of the globe with fallout. That's the downside to a global economy--one country gets hit--we all begin to wobble.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been scrambling since May of 2009 hoping to stabilize world markets. But all they've seemed to accomplish is more bailouts, more borrowing, and yes, more debt bombs.

Here in the U.S., it took the federal government 200 years to produce its first one trillion dollar budget. Today, Washington runs annual deficits twice as large--astonishing when you consider the surplus of only 10 years ago.

Social Security and Medicare are broke. Edmund Andrews of the New York Times put it this way: "The nation's oldest baby boomers are approaching 65, setting off what experts have warned for years will be a fiscal nightmare for the government. What a good country or a good squirrel should be doing is stashing away nuts for the winter. The United States is not only not saving nuts, it's eating the ones left over from last winter." Unfunded entitlement programs will eventually gobble up our entire gross domestic product (GDP).

Our official unemployment rate stands at 8.3%. (Oh really? Experts claim 15% is more like it). We've got declining technical, educational and health standards, a deteriorating infrastructure, and states with enormous deficits of their own.

So what solutions do our leaders propose? Increased spending (stimulus) and expanding the money supply (aka printing moola). What?? Do the words been there, done that ring a bell? Don't they remember we tried that already? Don't they remember it didn't work? Those so-called "solutions" only dug us in deeper. Are we doomed to be torpedoed a la Greece?

That brings us to a puzzling question: Where is America in Bible prophecy?
Simple answer? No where, folks. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why. Either:

• We've succumbed to the debt bomb and imploded

                                                          OR

• We've been decimated by our (fr)enemies.

Although there is one more option that has our vote, it is becoming less likely as the American church weakens, leaving only a remnant of true believers; the Rapture takes out so many, the U.S. is no longer a superpower nation.

While hoping for the best, let's prepare for the worst and get our own house in order. We suggest you:

1. get out of debt
2. accumulate an emergency fund
3. squirrel away nuts for the winter
4. and last, but not least: know what you believe

Jesus said: "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you...Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 15-18,27)

News:

• Deadly tornadoes pound U.S. Midwest
• Israel will not inform U.S. of Iran strike beforehand
• Gitmo detainees getting $750,000 soccer field while U.S. troops get slashed health care
• Former Fed Reserve Governor: "U.S. in for "Rude Awakening" if debt isn't reigned in soon
• Unmanned drones spark controversy in Middle East