Understanding the History of Israel presented by Beck University

Understanding the History of Israel



This semester’s Beck University will be unlike anything you have ever seen. Inspired by the content of the first and second installment of Rumors of War, this semester will delve deeper into the history and current happenings in and around the Middle East.


We spent a full year researching the 12th Imam, the Iranian regime’s continued development of nuclear weapons, and their desire to wipe Israel right off the map. We gathered so much information we couldn’t fit it all into the two documentaries. It’s so important we educate ourselves on this topic we’ve decided to share everything we have with you at Beck University. Our first class – Understanding the History of Israel.


It’s a 30 minute comprehensive guide to the religious and political importance of Israel. It takes you from the days of early Abraham through the Camp David Accords in the 1990s. It also shows the historic importance of Jerusalem to the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions – and explains why it must remain in Israeli control to preserve some of the holiest sites in the world.


Understanding the History of Israel is now available on-demand this for Insider Extreme members ONLY. If you’re not a member yet – now is the time to sign up.
This fascinating first episode is now available on-demand!

US Congressman, Jeff Landry Presides Over House, Blocks Recess Appointments

 WASHINGTON, DC – Continuing his efforts to prevent President Obama from making another recess appointment, Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) today presided over a pro forma session in the United States House of Representatives. After his service as Speaker Pro Tempore, Congressman Landry released the following statement:

"This morning - under the instruction of Speaker Boehner, Leader Cantor, and Whip McCarthy - I presided over a pro forma session in the United States House of Representatives, preventing Congress from going into recess and blocking President Obama from issuing recess appointments.

Let me begin by saying that under normal circumstances, the House of Representatives should not involve itself nomination fights. The Founding Fathers clearly intended the Senate to handle the nominees through a vetting process. However, when liberal lobbyists, unions, and community organizers direct the White House to subvert the will of the Senate, extraordinary steps must be taken to return transparency to our government and sanity to our political appointees.

Recess appointments are intended to maintain the continuity of our government during periods when the Senate is not in session. They are for situations when nominees cannot be considered or confirmed, not for political expediency. This isn’t 1852; Congress isn’t out of session for 4 months at a time; it doesn’t take a week for members to come back to Washington.

The last recess appointment President Obama made was Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board. Becker’s nomination was rejected by the Senate. He is a man who argues that employers should have no say in union formations and who ruled that a private company could not relocate to a non-union state.

It is widely anticipated that the President will use a recess appointment to name Elizabeth Warren the head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, soon-to-be one of the most powerful positions in the Federal government. This is very troubling considering Warren wants the government to approve every credit transaction that citizens enter into. If President Obama really wants to fill a position, he should make his nomination and send it to the Senate.

The American people sent a loud message last November that America needs to end Washington practices that are fundamentally wrong. They elected a strong group of conservative freshmen to return accountability to the American people. And they sent us to end the status quo in Washington. So to those who will argue that past presidents have also made recess appointments, I say the fact that Administrations have long abused the recess appointment process doesn’t make it right.

That is why patriots like Representatives Tom Marino, Ben Quayle, Allen West, and 73 other freshmen have joined my efforts to hit the “kill switch” – a provision the Founding Fathers gave the House to utilize when the Senate’s advice and consent is being circumvented by a hostile Administration. This kill switch comes in the form of adjournment resolutions.

Under Article 1, Section 5 of the Constitution, the House of Representatives can prevent the Senate from recessing by withholding its consent. Simply put: we do so by voting down, or not considering, a Senate adjournment resolution. And when we do so, we block the Administration’s ability to make recess appointments.

My actions today are just the beginning. Representative Jeff Duncan will be in Washington on Tuesday, leaving his home district to ensure Congress stays in session. And Republican leaders will be here to ensure Congress does not recess for the rest of President Obama’s term.

I applaud Speaker Boehner, Leader Cantor, and Whip McCarthy for their leadership and for their commitment to a transparent government - a government that belongs to We the People. I thank them for listening to our freshman coalition and taking the appropriate steps necessary to block President Obama from making recess appointments."

Recently, Congressman Landry led a coalition of 77 freshmen in a letter to House leadership requesting all appropriate measures be taken to prevent any recess appointment by the President for the remainder of the 112thCongress.

For the audio and video of Congressman Landry’s statement, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nNjyEP-tHs&feature=channel_video_title.

To watch the pro forma session, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpYzPqV03lw&feature=channel_video_title.

A copy of Landry’s coalition letter may be found at http://landry.house.gov/sites/landry.house.gov/files/documents/Freshmen%20Recess%20Appointment%20Letter.pdf.

The full list of freshmen congressmen signing Congressmen Jeff Landry's letter are as follows: 
Jeff Landry (LA-03)
Austin Scott (GA-08)
Sandy Adams (FL-24)
Justin Amash (MI-03)
Lou Barletta (PA-11)
Dan Benishek (MI-01)
Rick Berg (ND-01)
Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25)
Diane Black (TN-06)
Mo Brooks (AL-05)
Larry Bucshon (IN-08)
Quico Canseco (TX-23)
Steve Chabot (OH-01)
Chip Cravaack (MN-08)
Rick Crawford (AR-01)
Jeff Denham (CA-19)
Scott DesJarlais (TN-04)
Bob Dold (IL-10)
Sean Duffy (WI-07)
Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
Renee Ellmers (NC-02)
Blake Farenthold (TX-27)
Stephen Fincher (TN-08)
Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03)
Bill Flores (TX-17)
Bob Gibbs (OH-18)
Chris Gibson (NY-20)
Paul Gosar (AZ-01)
Trey Gowdy (SC-04)
Tom Graves (GA-09)
Tim Griffin (AR-02)
Morgan Griffith (VA-09)
Frank Guinta (NH-01)
Andy Harris (MD-01)
Vicki Hartzler (MO-04)
Nan Hayworth (NY-19)
Joe Heck (NV-03)
Tim Huelskamp (KS-01)
Bill Huizenga (MI-02)
Randy Hultgren (IL-14)
Robert Hurt (VA-05)
Bill Johnson (OH-06)
Mike Kelly (PA-03)
Adam Kinzinger (IL-11)
Raul Labrador (ID-01)
James Lankford (OK-05)
Tom Marino (PA-10)
David McKinley (WV-01)
Mick Mulvaney (SC-05)
Kristi Noem (SD-AL)
Richard Nugent (FL-05)
Steven Palazzo (MS-04)
Mike Pompeo (KS-04)
Benjamin Quayle (AZ-03)
Tom Reed (NY-29)
James Renacci (OH-16)
Reid Ribble (WI-08)
Scott Rigell (VA-02)
David Rivera (FL-25)
Martha Roby (AL-02)
Todd Rokita (IN-04)
Dennis Ross (FL-12)
John Runyan (NJ-03)
Bobby Schilling (IL-17)
David Schweikert (AZ-05)
Tim Scott (SC-01)
Steve Southerland (FL-02)
Steve Stivers (OH-15)
Scott Tipton (CO-03)
Tim Walberg (MI-07)
Joe Walsh (IL-08)
Allen West (FL-22)
Steve Womack (AR-03)
Rob Woodall (GA-07)
Kevin Yoder (KS-03)
Todd Young (IN-09)

For background on the letter, please go to http://landry.house.gov/press-release/developing-congressman-jeff-landry-leads-effort-stop-all-obama-recess-appointments.

GUARDING THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

This video is from several years ago.  Chris Wallace's Fox News Sunday Power Player of the Week profile is a fascinating look at those that guard the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetary.

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Sentinels of the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard"

Q: How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
A: 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

Q: How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
A: 21 seconds, for the same reason as answer number 1.

Q: Why are his gloves wet?
A: His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

Q: Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?
A: No, he carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

Q: How often are the guards changed?
A: Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

Q: What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
A: For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30".

Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After TWO YEARS, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first SIX MONTHS of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends FIVE HOURS A DAY getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

The Sentinels Creed:

My dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.

More Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknowns itself:

The marble for the Tomb of the Unknowns was furnished by the Vermont Marble Company of Danby, Vt. The marble is the finest and whitest of American marble, quarried from the Yule Marble Quarry located near Marble, Colorado and is called Yule Marble. The Marble for the Lincoln memorial and other famous buildings was also quarried there.

The Tomb consists of seven pieces of rectangular marble: Four pieces in sub base; weight Â- 15 tons;

One piece in base or plinth; weight Â- 16 tons;

One piece in die; weight Â- 36 tons;

One piece in cap; weight Â- 12 tons;

Carved on the East side (the front of the Tomb, which faces Washington, D.C.) is a composite of three figures, commemorative of the spirit of the Allies of World War I.

In the center of the panel stands Victory (female).

On the right side, a male figure symbolizes Valor.

On the left side stands Peace, with her palm branch to reward the devotion and sacrifice that went with courage to make the cause of righteousness triumphant.

The north and south sides are divided into three panels by Doric pilasters. In each panel is an inverted wreath.

On the west, or rear, panel (facing the Amphitheater) is inscribed:

HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD

The first Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a sub base and a base or plinth. It was slightly smaller than the present base. This was torn away when the present Tomb was started Aug. 27, 1931. The Tomb was completed and the area opened to the public 9:15 a.m. April 9, 1932, without any ceremony.

Cost of the Tomb: $48,000
Sculptor: Thomas Hudson Jones
Architect: Lorimer Rich
Contractors: Hagerman & Harris, New York City
Inscription: Author Unknown
(Interesting Commentary)

The Third Infantry Regiment at Fort Myer has the responsibility for providing ceremonial units and honor guards for state occasions, White House social functions, public celebrations and interments at Arlington National Cemetery and standing a very formal sentry watch at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

The public is familiar with the precision of what is called "walking post" at the Tomb. There are roped off galleries where visitors can form to observe the troopers and their measured step and almost mechanically, silent rifle shoulder changes. They are relieved every hour in a very formal drill that has to be seen to be believed.

Some people think that when the Cemetery is closed to the public in the evening that this show stops. 

First, to the men who are dedicated to this work, it is no show. It is a "charge of honor." The formality and precision continues uninterrupted all night. During the nighttime, the drill of relief and the measured step of the on-duty sentry remain unchanged from the daylight hours. To these men, these special men, the continuity of this post is the key to the honor and respect shown to these honored dead, symbolic of all unaccounted for American combat dead. The steady rhythmic step in rain, sleet, snow, hail, heat and cold must be uninterrupted. Uninterrupted is the important part of the honor shown.


Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment; it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. 



Source: Free Republic

Links:
Arlington National Cemetary
The History Channel~Arlington National Cemetary