This issue looks at Israel’s production and past protection from Iran (Persia), Iran’s threats regarding February 11, some troubling Muslim family facts, and a judge’s biblical ruling on a request for an official holiday for atheists.

OUR ISRAELI CONNECTION

Did you know?
Per capita, Israel has more museums, patents, and new books than any other country. Israel also has the largest concentration of high tech industry in relation to its population.
 
Joel Rosenberg reports
This is not the first time in history when the Jewish people have been threatened with annihilation from Persian/Iranian leaders who hated them without cause. The Book of Esther tells the story of how two heroic believers — Mordechai and Esther — prayed and fasted and encouraged others to do the same.

In response to those faithful prayers, the Lord intervened in a dramatic and powerful way. The evil Prime Minister of Iran (Haman) was removed from power and hanged. The heart of the Supreme Leader of Iran (King Ahausuerus) was miraculously changed. The Jews did have to fight. But they were saved from destruction and scores of Iranians converted and became true followers of the God of Israel.

Jerusalem Prayer Team reports
In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Iran’s Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki stepped up the verbal attacks the Iranian government has been launching against Israel, saying “Israel is a mad state led by mad people.” He said that Iran did not take seriously talk of a military threat to its nuclear program and stated, “the Zionist regime is at its weakest point.”

His remarks follow news this week that Iran has begun enriching uranium to 20%. This step is a slap in the face to the negotiation process and another clear indication of Iran’s military aims for its nuclear program. Uranium designed for use in civilian power production is typically enriched to 3-5%.

IT’S NEWS TO ME

Telling blow?
In remarks delivered to Iran’s air force, Supreme Religious Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran declared that: “The Iranian nation, with its unity and God’s grace, will punch the arrogance (Western powers) on the 22nd of Bahman (February 11) in a way that will leave them stunned.” Khamenei also serves as Iran’s commander-in-chief as well as head religious figure.

This statement followed President Ahmadinejad’s declaration that Iran would strike a “telling blow” on the 31st anniversary of the Iranian Revolution. I must have slept through it. Would someone please tell me what I missed.
 
The truth about Islam
In the Muslim faith a Muslim man can marry a child as young as one year old and have sexual intimacy with this child, consummating the marriage by nine. The dowry is given to the family in exchange for the woman (who becomes his slave) and for the purchase of the private parts of the woman, to use her as a toy. Even though a woman is abused, she cannot obtain a divorce. To prove rape, the woman must have four male witnesses. Often after a woman has been raped, she is returned to her family and the family must return the dowry. The family has the right to execute her (an honor killing) to restore the honor of the family. Husbands can beat their wives ‘at will’ with no explanation for their actions.

No atheist holiday
In Florida, an atheist brought a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and their observance of Easter and Passover. His attorney argued that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, “Case dismissed!” The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, “Your honor, How can you possibly dismiss this case?  The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays…”
    
The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, “But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant.” The lawyer said, “Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.” The judge said, “The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, ‘The fool says in his heart, there is no God.’  Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that, if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.”

WRITING TIPS

Appositives
Set off words in apposition by commas.
 
Kid leather, the skin of young goats or sheep, is one of the finest of leathers.

Why is abbreviated such a long word?