ON WATCH IN WASHINGTON (INTERCESSORS 4 AMERICA) 220TH ANNIV OF TREATY OF PARIS FORMALLY FOUNDING USA

Today Marks The 220th Anniversary of the U.S. Ratification of The Treaty Of Paris, Officially Establishing The United States as an Independent Sovereign Nation

DC Primary Has No Impact On Party Nomination Blood Shortages Continue In Metro DC

Senator Brownback Finds Signs Of Progress In Efforts To End Persecution Of Christians In Vietnam

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 1784: TODAY MARKS THE 220TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY OF PARIS WHICH OFFICIALLY ESTABLISHED THE UNITED STATES AS AN INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGN NATION (National Archives)

Although Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown in the Fall of 1781 marked the end of the Revolutionary War, minor battles between the British and the colonists continued for another two years. Finally, in February of 1783 George III issued his Proclamation of Cessation of Hostilities, culminating in the Peace Treaty of 1783. Signed in Paris on September 3, 1783, the agreement, also known as the Paris Peace Treaty, formally ended the United States War for Independence. The Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, officially establishing the United States as in independent and sovereign nation.

>From The Journals Of The Continental Congress, 1774-1789: Wednesday, January 14, 1784

Congress assembled: Present, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina; Mr. [Richard] Beresford having this day taken his seat; and from the State of New Hampshire, Mr. [Abiel] Foster, and from New Jersey Mr. [John] Beatty.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Thomas] Jefferson, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Mr. [William] Ellery, Mr. [Jacob] Read and Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, to whom were referred the definitive treaty of peace between the United States of America and his Britannic Majesty, and the joint letter of the 10 September, from Mr. Adams, Mr. Franklin and Mr. Jay,

Resolved, unanimously, nine states being present, that the said definitive treaty be, and the same is hereby ratified by the United States in Congress assembled, in the form following:

THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, To all persons to whom these presents shall come greeting:

Whereas definitive articles of peace and friendship between the United States of America and his Britannic majesty, were concluded and signed at Paris on the 3d day of September, 1783, by the plenipotentiaries of the said United States, and of his said Britannic Majesty, duly and respectively authorized for that purpose; which definitive articles are in the words following:

It having pleased the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts of the most serene and most potent prince, George the third, by the grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, arch-treasurer and prince elector of the holy Roman empire, &c. and of the United States of America, to forget all past misunderstandings and differences that have unhappliy interrupted the good correspondence and friendship which they mutually wish to restore, and to establish such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse between the two countries, upon the ground of reciprocal advantages and mutual convenience, as may promote and secure to both perpetual peace and harmony; and having for this desirable end, already laid the foundation of peace and reconciliation, by the provisional articles, signed at Paris on the 30th of November, 1782, by the commissioners empowered on each part, which articles were agreed to be inserted in and to c onstitute the treaty of peace proposed to be concluded between the crown of Great Britain and the said United States, ...

PRAYER / INTERCESSION: Let all of America fear the Lord. Let all the inhabitants of the United States stand in awe of Him. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:8, 12) We praise and thank God that our President is a man of public faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. We pray that he will continue to seek God’s wisdom and counsel in all his actions on behalf of this country and in his personal and private life. (Psalm 89:21)

We pray that the Lord would give His wisdom to those who would preside in our courts of justice. Let all judges and those who work in our court system seek to preserve justice in a fair and impartial way according to His statutes. (Proverbs 2:6-8) Pray that the Lord would grant wisdom and courage to all those who serve in our Congress and all elected officials across this country. Let them not be distracted from governing by the lure of money, power or fame. Ask the Lord to encourage them to always stand for what is right and to faithfully serve those who have put their trust in them. (Eccl 8:1-5)

DC PRIMARY HAS NO IMPACT ON PARTY NOMINATION - Nearly 43,000 ballots were cast in Tuesday's DC presidential primary election. Turnout was about 125 percent of registered voters. At a cost of $350,000, that translates to a little more than $8 a ballot. The results have no impact on the race to win the Democratic Party's nomination because national party leaders refused to sanction it. Instead, voters will have to go back to the polls next month for caucus elections to choose delegates who will participate in the nominating process at the Democratic National Convention in July. Al Sharpton, who with 34 percent of the vote came in second to Howard Dean's 43 percent, says the election is still worth the expense, because people around the country need to know that DC needs statehood or voting representation in Congress. Carol Moseley Braun got 11.6 percent of the vote, and Dennis Kucinich eight percent.

BLOOD SHORTAGES CONTINUE IN METRO DC - A blood shortage continues, especially in Maryland. Red Cross chapters say blood donations from minorities remain low. Spokeswoman Stephanie Gallow says minority blood donors are the best source of the rare "Type B" category. More than 80 hospitals and ten trauma centers in the Metro DC region are being forced to consider curtailing optional surgery and even organ transplants. All blood types are needed, but especially types "O" and "B." Anyone interested in donating blood can get the details by calling 1-800-GiveLife. The payoff for blood donors is still saving lives, and cookies and your choice of a beverage.

SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE PROBES ALLEGED TERROR TIES OF U.S. MUSLIM GROUPS (Washington Post) The Senate Finance Committee has asked the Internal Revenue Service to turn over confidential tax and financial records, including donor lists, on dozens of Muslim charities and foundations as part of a widening congressional investigation into alleged ties between tax-exempt organizations and terrorist groups. The Senate-led probe follows more than two years of investigations by the FBI, the Treasury Department, and other federal agencies into the activities of Islamic charities suspected of having ties to al-Qaeda, Hamas, and other groups designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S.

The charities named include the SAAR Foundation, Global Relief, and the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, the largest Muslim charity in the U.S., which was singled out by President Bush for allegedly supporting Hamas. "This is not a fishing expedition targeting Muslims," one Senate aide said. "All the groups we're looking at are suspected of having some connections to terrorism or of doing propaganda for terrorists."

OHIO MUSLIM LEADER ARRESTED; TERROR LINK CITED (New York Times) A leading Islamic cleric who runs Ohio's largest mosque was arrested Tuesday on charges that he concealed his ties to terrorist causes when applying for citizenship to the U.S. a decade ago. The indictment said Fawaz Mohammed Damrah "had previously incited and/or assisted others, including terrorist organizations, that advocated the persecution of Jews and others by means of violent terrorist attacks."

PARK SERVICE POLICE FAIL SECURITY TEST AT WASHINGTON MONUMENT (AP) In broad daylight on September 11, 2003, an investigator from the Interior Department had a suspicious-looking black plastic bag stuffed with garbage left at the base of the Washington Monument. It sat for twenty minutes before they then moved the bag to a security checkpoint where tourists line up to enter the monument. Again, the suspicious-looking bag was unnoticed. The only park policeman visible on surveillance cameras was sleeping in an unmarked car. Congress is angrily looking into the matter.

EXTENSIVE MARRIAGE EDUCATION AND PROMOTION INITIATIVE PLANNED BY PRESIDENT BUSH (NYT) The President is planning an extensive initiative this year to promote marriage, especially among low-income couples. There will be approximately $1.5 billion for training to help couples develop interpersonal skills that sustain healthy marriages. “We want to help couples, especially low-income couples, manage conflict in healthy ways,” said Dr. Horn, assistant secretary of health and human services.

FCC CHIEF CALLS FOR WORD BAN (CNN, USA Today) If the FCC chairman has his way, the "F" word will have no place on U.S. radio and television. Sources close to the issue say Michael Powell has proposed banning the offensive word from most broadcasts, regardless of the context. The proposal would overturn an FCC staff decision in October that the word was not indecent when U2 frontman Bono used it while accepting an award during a live broadcast of the 2003 Golden Globe Awards on NBC. The quip was broadcast live and was not bleeped out. In order for Powell to succeed, he would need to garner at least two other FCC votes for the proposal. Intercede accordingly.

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE WEEK | JANUARY 18 25 Offer thanksgiving for the biblical sanctity of life ethic and the God-created unique personhood of each conceived human being. Offer thanksgiving for President Bush’s signing of a ban on partial-birth abortion; intercede that it withstands court challenges being mounted against it. Pray for a ban on human cloning to be enacted. Offer thanksgiving for all pro-life pastors, leaders, lawyers and volunteers. Pray for a spiritual reinvigoration and multi-generational multiplication of the entire pro-life movement and all alternative pregnancy efforts.

For articles, prayer focuses and information on the Sanctity of Human Life, see IFA’s First Friday Newsletter at www.ifapray.org; click on First Friday Newsletter, January 2004 edition.

CareNet (www.care-net.org, 703-478-5661) and Focus on the Family (www.fotf.org, 1-800-AFAMILY) are calling on churches to observe January 18 or 25 as Sanctity of Life Sunday. Bethany Christian Services is offering full-color inserts free to churches. Call (616) 254-7779, or see www.bethanyorg

31st ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE JANUARY 22 - The 31st annual March for Life will rally at noon near the White House and seminars will be held on Capitol Hill; phone 202-543-3377. More than 44 million abortions have been performed since 1973.

A CALL TO 21 DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO REVERSE ROE V. WADE AND DOE V. BOLTON: JAN 1-21, 2004 - Join Norma McCorvey, the original "Roe" of Roe v. Wade, and Sandra Cano, the original "Doe" of Doe v. Bolton, in asking the Lord to reverse their two cases which brought legalized abortion on demand to America. They have filed motions to reverse their own cases, which are now on their way back to the Supreme Court. See www.operationoutcry.org. Both of these ladies, and their attorneys, now believe that 2004 is a critical year of favor from the Lord and that the covenant with death that is legalized abortion will be annulled in God's time.

NEW JERSEY BECOMES FIFTH STATE TO RECOGNIZE SAME-SEX PARTNERSHIPS (AP) New Jersey became the fifth state to recognize same-sex partnerships, meaning homosexual couples can collect insurance benefits and enjoy many legal rights that married couples have. The New Jersey measure includes some benefits for older couples who do not want to get married because of the potential penalties on pensions and other financial interests. Critics say denying the same benefits to younger heterosexual couples is discrimination. Polygamists are suing to overturn Utah’s ban on polygamy, arguing that the Supreme Court’s decision that found a constitutional right to homosexual sodomy should apply to intimate matters in their own homes and faith.

CONGRESSIONAL GROUP WARNS OF “MORNING AFTER” PILL DANGERS AND OTC SALES (Citizen Link) Forty-nine Congressional representatives have urged the President not to allow what is known as the “morning after” birth control pill to be sold over the counter. Though the treatment is generally considered safe, Representative Dave Weldon (R-FL), who is also a medical doctor, spearheaded charges that the FDA panel did not take into consideration the impact on teenage sexual behavior or the probable increase in sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer, which occurs often in women who have had multiple sexual partners. Another key issue of concern is that such easy availability would make parents even less likely to learn about the dangerous decisions their children are making about sex.

WITCHCRAFT AND MAGIC DRAWING YOUNG PEOPLE SEARCHING FOR TRUTH (CBN News) Experts say that 86 percent of kids watch supernatural-themed movies or television shows on a regular basis. Nearly 66 percent of teens say they have participated in at least one occult-oriented activity. Interest in the occult is fed by video games, Internet sites, television shows like “Charmed” and “Angel” and the popular Harry Potter books. While not all Christians agree that the latter has a negative impact, what cannot be disputed is that sorcery and witchcraft are involved in the plots. Another best-selling book, titled Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation offers how-to instructions about the practice of sorcery.

Young people, particularly those who feel lonely, left out or powerless in situations with their peers are drawn to witchcraft, which gives them a feeling of control. Kathi Sharpe, a former witch who is now a born-again Christian, says there’s an element of being able to empower yourself through magic that was one of the things that attracted her and is what is attracting kids who feel disenfranchised. Kathi says parents need to be closely involved and talk to their children about the dangers of witchcraft in much the same way they would talk about drugs and premarital sex.

DIVIDED EPISCOPALIANS READY TO DO BATTLE IN COURTS (Washington Post) Since the consecration of gay bishop Gene Robinson in November, Episcopalians have been hotly divided on the subject. Now comes a six-page strategy paper, which could plunge the National Church into litigation for decades, according to spokesman James Solheim. Ultimately, traditionalists hope their network of parishes aligned with the majority of world Anglicanism would supplant the Episcopal Church USA as the recognized Anglican offshoot in the U.S.

This would take place in a two-stage process, the first of which would be conservative parishes announcing that their relationship with the diocesan bishop is “severely damaged” and seeking the care of a more orthodox U.S. or a foreign bishop. In the second stage, traditionalists would seek “negotiated settlements” over property and the right to have like-minded priests and bishops. If settlements cannot be reached, the document says, “faithful disobedience of canon law on a widespread basis may be necessary.” The purpose of such disobedience would be to defend and uphold the gospel, which has been distorted by the Bishops who condone the consecration of homosexual bishops and clergy.

SENATOR BROWNBACK FINDS SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN EFFORTS TO END PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN VIETNAM (Family News In Focus) Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), returning from a visit to Vietnam, says efforts to end the persecution of Christians there are paying off. The Foreign Relations Committee Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee chairman said it appears Vietnam may be starting to heed international criticism about its “woeful” human rights record due to consequences imposed upon them. U.S. foreign aid to the country may hinge on the nation’s embrace of religious freedom. "I actually am encouraged and somewhat optimistic that we're going to see some of these issues on freedom, religious liberties being dealt with by the Vietnamese government," Brownback said. "They're now getting a clear picture that there are consequences if they decide to not open up to religious freedoms and religious liberties in Vietnam."

PALESTINIAN OFFICIALS REJECT U.S. DEMAND TO RENOUNCE TERROR - (Voice of America) Palestinian officials have rejected a U.S. demand that they repudiate terrorism in order to receive financial aid. Palestinians are refusing to sign the U.S. Agency for International Development's "certification regarding terrorist financing." The requirement, first introduced last year, is aimed at preventing U.S. funds from being transferred to entities engaged in terrorist acts. Several Palestinian groups are on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations.

SECURITY FENCE, OPERATIONAL SUCCESSES HELP ISRAEL TO ACHIEVE 50% DROP IN TERROR FATALITIES (Jerusalem Post) Here's a statistic that somehow escaped the notice of Western news media: In 2003, the number of Israeli fatalities due to terrorism declined by more than 50% from the previous year, from 451 to 213. The overall number of attacks also declined from 5,301 in 2002 to 3,838 in 2003, a drop of 30%. The declines were achieved by Israeli operational successes and tactical innovations, beginning with Operation Defensive Shield in April 2002 and culminating with the accelerated construction of the security fence. By increasing pressure on terrorist groups via targeted assassinations, mass arrests, periodic and sustained occupations of Palestinian towns and cities, the demolition of supply tunnels, more intensive closures and curfews, and so on, Israel has significantly improved its margin of security.

These mid-week “On Watch In Washington” alerts may be freely transmitted via e-mail. Please forward to interested friends and family.

ON WATCH IN WASHINGTON Editorial Team: Gary Bergel / Sondra Johnson / Brian Miller / Boyd Lillard / George Taylor / Joe McSpadden

Hello Quix, hope you are well and thank you for this interesting post. I see that New Jersey now makes five states recognizing homosexual relationships. I have not yet seen a petition for Defensive of Marriage Act but would sign it if I saw one. Hope your weaving is going well and your teaching too!

THANKS TONS for your kind comment.

We shall see how long this remains in the news section vs getting flushed to the religion forum.

Am still working on the massive loom attachment that will enable me to weave directly from balls, cones, spools of thread/yarn rather than winding the warp laboriously onto the warp beam with lengths limited accordingly.

Intro to Psych class seems to be off to a good start. Prayerfully, I'll be able to just teach and sadly avoid answering students' 'forbidden' personal questions.

THANKS TREMENDOUSLY for your kind caring.

I thought this particular doc interesting on a number of points as well. So, I bothered risking posting it. Masochist that I evidently am in such matters.

3 posted on 01/14/2004 6:52:04 PM PST by Quix (Particularly quite true conspiracies are rarely proven until it's too late to do anything about them)

In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity.

There you go, agitating Rats, the ACLU and Muslims, in one swoop.

From Peace Treaty doc in my post:

In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity.

Piasa
There you go, agitating Rats, the ACLU and Muslims, in one swoop.

WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

HALLELUJAH FOR THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THAT THAR AMMUNITION!

The idiots. Maybe they'll blow a blood vessel in their irrational, traitorous pique.

I'd rather they repent, get saved and turn into decent patriotic, God fearing people. I pray for that.

But some seem to have sold their souls out terminally to the devil ages ago. I have little need to molly coddle their evil or them, therefore.

6 posted on 01/14/2004 8:08:40 PM PST by Quix (Particularly quite true conspiracies are rarely proven until it's too late to do anything about them)

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