We Give Thanks

Please let me wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for, especially a generous God who has blessed this nation.

In 1789, the first Federal Congress passed a resolution asking that the President of the United States recommend to the nation a day of Thanksgiving. The request by Congress was clear: "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

That first proclamation came from President George Washington declaring November 26, 1789 as a "Day of Public Thanksgiving."

In that proclamation, President Washington thanked God and urged citizens to "unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks - for His kind care and protection of the people of this country. . . " Washington also expressed gratitude for "the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed."

The prayers and thanks given 223 years ago are even more relevant today.

As you and your family gather together this Thanksgiving, please remember to not only give thanks for our freedom but also pray that it is something everyone in the world can come to know.

Jay Sekulow


SOURCE http://aclj.org/writers/jay-sekulow

Top Obama Official Departs: Questions About Transparency Remain

When word broke over the holidays that EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson was stepping down, it initially seemed like it was one of those stories where a Cabinet member was stepping down after four years on the job - clearing the way for another appointment for President Obama's second term.

Sure, there was controversy during her tenure. She mixed it up with the energy industry along with Congressional Republicans and faced criticism for regulating coal and other energy sources. And, of course, there was the Canada-to-Texas Keystone pipeline, which she vehemently opposed.

But none of that is really in the spotlight now.

Instead, the focus is on the EPA Administrator's communications - her use of email - and reports that she used an alias email - raising significant questions about transparency and violations of federal regulations. The reports triggered a lawsuit which is seeking the release of thousands of EPA emails. And the EPA Inspector General is conducting an audit.

As I told Megyn Kelly on FOX News today, the investigation will turn up the facts, but hiding behind an alias email is just wrong. You can watch the interview here.

What's going on at the EPA? There are reports that the EPA's reported use of secret email accounts dates back to the Clinton Administration and then-Administrator Carol Browner.

As you might expect, there's growing concern in Congress. Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) is the incoming top Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. His biggest concern: that this is not an isolated incident. "I think this email issue clearly spurred Lisa Jackson's resignation," Sen. Vitter said in a statement. "But it's much broader than her. It's about a culture of hiding an extreme agenda from Americans because it can't be sustained in public debate. I'll fight aggressively to end these practices, which I fear are very widespread."

Jay Sekulow


SOURCE http://aclj.org/us-constitution/jay-sekulow-top-obama-official-departs-questions-transparency-remain