The Daily Brief: Short Form - Thursday, September 21, 2017

The Daily Brief: Short Form - Thursday, Sept. 21st

1. Reports: All of Puerto Rico without power as Hurricane Maria leaves behind trail of destruction - AccuWeather

Significant damage has been reported across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as Hurricane Maria lashes the northern Caribbean islands. Maria became the second Category 5 hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, but was downgraded to a Category 4 hurricane shortly before making landfall in Puerto Rico around 6:15 a.m. AST Wednesday.

Conditions will gradually improve across Puerto Rico into Thursday as Maria makes its way to the northwest toward the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas. Dominica took a direct hit from Maria on Monday night shortly after it strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane. (Read more)
- Father, we lift up the people of Puerto Rico to You and pray they would turn to You in this time of great need. We pray each one will receive the help needed and experience Your peace.

- "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat." (Isaiah 25:4)

2. State Department in 'open war' with President Trump - WND

Obama holdovers 'continue running the show and formulating policy'. President Trump's big war right now apparently isn't with Iran, or North Korea, or Venezuela, or even Democrats and twice-failed presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, says a new analysis: It's with the State Department. In the U.S. Run by his own appointee, Rex Tillerson, explains a report in Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.

That's the conclusion of Soeren Kern, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute. He's assembled a big list of times that "Tillerson and his advisers at the State Department have made a number of statements and policy decisions that contradict Trump's key campaign promises on foreign policy, especially regarding Israel and Iran." For example, on Aug. 10, the State Department held a meeting with the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations, which Kern described as an umbrella group set up by the Muslim Brotherhood to install political Islam in the United States.

"Behind closed doors, they reportedly discussed what they said was Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine and the removal of all Israeli control of the Temple Mount and holy areas of Jerusalem. Observers said the meeting was part of larger effort by anti-Israel organizations to drive a wedge between the Trump administration and Israel," he reported. (Read more)
- Father, we pray You would remove each person from the State Department who is disloyal to President Trump and undermines Your people, Israel.

- The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. (Matthew 13:41)

3. Former CIA Officer: On Wiretapping, Trump Was Right All Along - Daily Caller

CNN, which had previously denounced President Donald Trump's claims that he had been wiretapped at Trump Tower, reported late on Monday that former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort was tapped by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Depending on the political inclinations of the journalists covering the story, the tale has been framed as either a vindication of Trump's generally derided claims that Trump Tower was wiretapped by the Obama Administration or yet another bit of evidence demonstrating that Team Trump was in collusion to with the Russians to influence the results of the presidential election.

Insofar as can be determined given the lack of any corroboration coming from the government, the narrative surrounding Manafort goes something like this:

Manafort, together with a number of other Washington based consultants, was a top adviser to former pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich between 2004 and 2014. His involvement somehow came to the attention of the FBI in 2014 and a secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant was sought by the Bureau and then issued to permit teltapping and other forms of investigation to determine if foreign lobbying laws had been broken. The initial inquiry was eventually allowed to lapse "for lack of evidence." (Read more)
- Father, we continue to ask You for justice regarding the flagrant disregard of civil rights by the Obama Administration. We pray for the whole corrupt system - and all the people who support and benefit from it - to fall.

- Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? (Jeremiah 12:1)

4. Trump on Iran Deal: 'I Have Decided' - CNS News

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has made a decision on the Iran deal, although he wouldn't indicate what that decision is or when he'll announce it. Prior to a bilateral meeting with Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Trump said, "I have decided," when reporters asked whether he had decided that the U.S. would honor the Iran deal that the previous administration brokered or break the deal. When asked when he would make an announcement, the president said, "I'll let you know."

Meanwhile, Trump said it was "a great honor" to have Abbas and his representatives with the U.S. delegation, adding that Abbas and his people "have been working very hard with everybody involved toward peace. I mean, we're looking seriously at peace, and maybe, ultimately, peace in the whole of the Middle East, and I think we have a pretty good shot -- maybe the best shot ever -- and that's what we're looking to do," he said. (Read more)
- Father, we pray President Trump has made the right decision for the United States, Israel and the Middle East.

- God will help the king to judge the people fairly; there need be no mistakes. (Proverbs 16:10)

5. Top Republicans Scramble For Support On Graham-Cassidy - Daily Caller

Top Senate Republicans are struggling to drum up the 50 votes needed to successfully pass their latest Obamacare repeal legislation. Health care reform appeared all but dead after GOP leadership fell one vote short of passing a "skinny repeal" bill in late July. But legislation introduced last week by Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Dean Heller of Nevada has rekindled hope that the party can make good on its top campaign promise.

While Graham-Cassidy - which aims to replace Medicaid expansion and insurance subsidies with block grants provided to the states - has gained some traction, the reconciliation bill still lacks the support needed to pass the upper chamber. GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and John McCain of Arizona - all of which voted against skinny repeal - have expressed skepticism about the legislation, fearing the formula used to calculate funding will negatively impact their states. Conservative Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky also bashed the bill for leaving the majority of Obamacare taxes and regulations in place, arguing that the bill simply shifts reshuffles money from Democratic states to Republican states. (Read more)
- Father, this bill appears to be the best option so far. We pray this bill will pass and our nation will be relieved of the burden of Obamacare.

- Rescue me from the oppression of evil men; then I can obey you. (Psalm 119:134)

6. Tax Reform Must Go Bold - RealClearPolitics

Whatever you think of President Trump, you know he likes to win. And a commitment to winning is exactly what we need as we enter the critical drive for tax reform that can increase workers' paychecks, reduce the cost of living and bolster savings for the future.

With more countries than ever vying for jobs and business, we need a big play for our workers, our manufacturers and all Americans. That starts with pursuing, passing and securing the most competitive tax code America has ever seen. We should think big and go bold. Timidity never wins.

What does that mean, specifically? First, it means the corporate tax rate that businesses in America pay, and in turn limits the creation of new wealth for more, should be no higher than 15 percent - just as the president has argued. Many small businesses face marginal tax rates of more than 44 percent, thanks in part to the additional taxes from the Affordable Care Act. That's shameful. Our elected leaders love to talk about how they admire small businesses, but the best way to show they stand with small businesses would be supporting bold reform that helps them grow, hire and hold their own. Just give them a chance. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for the tax reform our nation needs, with the ultimate goal of releasing resources and reaching the lost around the world.

- For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings. (Zechariah 8:12)

7. Ivanka Trump delivers anti-human trafficking speech at UN - CNN

Ivanka Trump delivered an anti-human trafficking speech Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly, calling it "the greatest human rights issue of our time."

"This is a call for action, a call for global unity," Trump said at a panel event hosted by Great Britain and Northern Ireland, noting that her father, President Donald Trump, has said he is "prepared to bring the full force and weight of our government" to combat human trafficking.

Human trafficking is chronically under-reported problem that affects at least 20.9 million people globally in both forced labor and sex trafficking. "It is hard to grasp how tens of millions of people across the globe can experience this scale of human suffering. It is unacceptable," Trump said. "Human trafficking, forced labor and modern slavery splinters families, distorts global markets, undermines the rule of law, strengthens transnational organized criminal networks and threatens national security everywhere." (Read more)
- Father, we lift up those in bondage around the world and pray for their freedom and salvation. We also pray for those who are abusing these people, that their hearts would turn to You in repentance.

I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. (Exodus 6:6b)

8. Likely Next Solicitor General Fought for Nuns, Against Disputed Obama Appointees - Daily Signal

After racking up victories against the Obama administration before the Supreme Court, Noel Francisco is expected to be confirmed by the Senate to manage the Trump administration's cases there. "If you asked any conservative attorney in this town, they would put Noel in the top five legal minds," @Curt_Levey says.

President Donald Trump nominated Francisco, who clerked for the late Justice Antonin Scalia and was a lawyer in the George W. Bush administration, to be his solicitor general. A Senate committee approved the nomination four months ago. Democrats have stalled a final vote, but an end looks in sight. The U.S. solicitor general works in the Justice Department, charged with managing the defense of the federal government's cases in front of the Supreme Court. In many cases, the solicitor general argues the case.

Francisco briefly served as acting solicitor general until Trump nominated him for the position in March. Jeffrey Wall, who has served as acting solicitor general, is set to take the office's No. 2 slot upon Francisco's confirmation. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for Noel Francisco's quick confirmation and we pray he will be a great asset to the Trump Administration before the Supreme Court.

- The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. (Deut. 2:7a)

9. Retail Apocalypse: 20 big retailers closing stores in 2017 - Fox Business

Some of the United States' most prominent retailers are shuttering stores this year amid sagging sales in the troubled sector. The rise of ecommerce outlets like Amazon has made it harder for traditional retailers to attract customers to their stores and forced companies to change their sales strategies. Many companies have turned to sales promotions and increased digital efforts to lure shoppers while shutting down brick-and-mortar locations.

Toys R Us is the latest retailer to experience difficulties amid the shifting business landscape. The venerable toy outlet filed for bankruptcy Monday night amid mounting debt and pressure from wary suppliers. For now, the company says its 1,600 store locations will remain open and operate "as usual," with no changes to organization structure or payroll. A list of some of the top retailers to close stores this year can be found [at the link]. (Read more)
- Father, we lift up all the people who will lose their jobs through these closings and we pray for You to shift them into meaningful, fruitful work.

- So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

10. Egypt's Sisi on Qatar: It's time to confront supporters of terrorism - Al Arabiya

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi who is in New York for the UN General Assembly session said the time has come to efficiently confront parties that support terrorism and get them to bear their responsibility. He specifically addressed Qatar and said it must respond to the four boycotting countries' demands to show that it does not aim to harm Arab countries' interests or interfere in their internal affairs.

Sisi also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York to discuss the Middle East peace process in their first public talks, his office said on Tuesday. Sisi emphasized the importance of "resuming negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides to reach a comprehensive solution," the statement said. The Egyptian president also met with former American officials and with delegations from research centers, Jewish organizations and think tanks on Monday. Sisi also confirmed the importance of strategic relations between Egypt and the US, noting that Egypt is concerned about improving and developing these ties. (Read more)
- Father, we thank You for Egyptian President al-Sisi and his strong, capable leadership. We pray Your blessing upon him as he brings stability to Egypt and works towards peace for Israel.

- By justice a king gives a country stability. (Proverbs 29:4a)