California, USA – They were coming out alive. Born alive. Babies. Vulnerable human beings.  Is it true that a leading presidential contender would allow them to be murdered?  In what many, might otherwise include among “the least of my brothers,” some are alleging that Obama is an abortion extremist.  How could the killing of millions of babies somehow not be among America’s greatest moral failings?  Is the claim that Obama supports infanticide true? 

The included video is for mature viewers.  Watch at your own risk.

Mosul, IRAQ – Another tragic killing of Christians in Mosul today.  Al Qaeda militants gunned down Chaldean Jalal Moussa, 38, and three other Chaldeans in front of their homes in the neighborhood of Noor.  Islamic militants have been terrorizing the city with shouts and nailing posters urging attacks against Christians, threatening more slaughter and violence and urging U.S. military to leave. 

Little has been covered by world media as major news outlets refuse to cover the ongoing Christian attacks.  In less than seven days, nine Christians have been murdered because of their faith.  Asia News reveals an organized campaign is underway to drive Christians out of the region.  The news reports a car with a loudspeaker went around the streets in the neighborhood of Sukkar, ordering the Christians to leave." "Christians out of the city," the people on board were shouting, "otherwise you will be victims of more attacks."

On Monday, October 6, Ziad Kamal, a disabled 25-year-old shopkeeper in the city, was shot to death. The young man's store was in the neighborhood of Karam.  Before him, armed groups assassinated Hazim Thomaso Youssif, age 40. The ambush took place in front of his clothing store in Bab Sarray.  On the same day, 15-year-old Ivan Nuwya, also a Christian, was killed. The young man was shot to death in front of his home in the neighborhood of Tahrir, in front of the local mosque of Alzhara.

The Christian community lives in panic as the slaughter continues "to the indifference" of the media, which "do not even report the crimes that are committed."

Michigan, USA – “Chaldeans will overwhelmingly vote on values,” says Roger Shamoun a legal officer with Oakland Courts.  “Chaldeans know the root of so much evil in the world comes from what we as Americans value.  That does not mean Chaldeans are oblivious to the suffering of Iraqi Chaldeans in Iraq.  Both issues are important to the community, and it seems the community is leaning towards Senator McCain as the best candidate to address both of these important issues.”

Julie Hindoo, a college freshman at Oakland Community College disagrees and plans to vote for Barack Obama. “He is cool and hip.  It would be sweet to have a black president in America.  Plus look what Bush has done to Iraq,” she says.

“That seems to be the crux of the issue in the community,” says Shamoun.  “Chaldeans who are voting on faith, family, and tax issues will be voting for McCain hands-down, but what about those who don’t care about those issues and instead care about the Iraqi war.  How should they vote?”

Sulaimaniyah, IRAQ — Today, Iraq's three-member presidency council approved a delayed provincial election law, amidst strong criticism of legally marginalizing Christian representation in the country.  “Again, Iraqi Christians are dealt a devastating blow,” says Issam Najed.  “America’s revolution was ignited over taxation without representation.  In Iraq, Christians are given no representation in the direction of their country.” 

"I think that some political groups are pushing the remaining Christians to leave Iraq," worshipper Afram Razzaq-Allah said after services at a Catholic church in Baghdad. "They want us to feel that we are no longer Iraqis."   Native Americans can empathize with the indigenous people of Iraq.  Iraq's leaders feigned seeking safeguards for small religious communities in this mainly Muslim country as Christians protested parliament's decision for minority representation on provincial councils. 

Baghdad, IRAQ -Iraq's presidential council has agreed on a law which paves the way for US-backed provincial elections to be held by the end of January, a spokesman said. Al-Ani says the panel led by President Jalal Talabani decided to approve the law on Monday but did not sign it due to Islamic holidays.

Mosul, IRAQ – The outcry of Iraqi, American, and European Chaldeans for fair representation have given Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki pause.  The Iraqi Prime Minister openly announced on Sunday that he has sought safeguards for Christians and other minorities who have complained that they have lost guaranteed seats in provincial councils under a new election law.

Chaldeans who took the time to voice their concern may have helped the future of Iraq’s minority population.  “We are grateful to the Chaldeans across the world that sent e-mails, called their representatives, and sent letters to Iraq’s Prime Minister,” says Raad Abdel.  “God will forever bless these wonderful Chaldeans who spoke out against such injustice.”

After Iraqi legislators scrapped a clause known as article 50, that would have guaranteed seats for Christians and other minority sects, online news sites and e-mails quickly covered the expressed outrage.  However, the bill in its current form must be approved by a presidency council consisting of President Jalal Talabani and his two vice presidents before it becomes law. Christian leaders have expressed hope that it can still be amended to guarantee their seats.  “With the help of our Chaldean brothers and sisters reaching out to representatives this may still be possible,” adds Abdel.

BAGHDAD — After months of negotiation, Iraq's parliament passed a crucial election law Wednesday, but only by setting aside for future debate the most divisive issues and stripping away most all minority rights. Iraqi Christians protested on Thursday against the absence of a clause determining their quota of provincial coucil seats in a new provincial elections law adopted the day before in the Iraqi parliament

The Students Federation of Chaldean Christians in Iraq objected to the secret removal of a clause in the old law that reserved provincial council’s seats for Christians and other religious minorities.  The new law could clear the way for provincial elections to take place in much of Iraq early next year with no voice for the indigenous people of Iraq.  The deletion of the law now leaves Iraqi Christians 'disenfranchised,' the Voices of Iraq (VOI) news agency quoted the group as saying.

Iraqi and U.S. officials moved aggressively to get the law passed.  Both U.S. and the U.N. ignored to challenge why minority clauses were stripped by Iraqi parliament, leaving minorities vulnerable to ongoing oppression.   Secretary of the Chaldean National Council, Daiaa Boutros, said that removing the clause was dangerous in an Iraq that was moving towards democracy, as the country had to preserve the rights of minorities.

California, USA –Chaldean business leaders are fast feeling the pinch as banks are reluctant to even give payroll loans on verified accounts receivables.  With the U.S. Economy on the verge of bankruptcy Chaldeans are still befuddled with how this could be possible. 

Sarmad Khomoro, of Bay Side Liquor in Los Angeles puts it this way, “If one customer asks me to loan him some money and that he will pay me back next month, I can handle it if he doesn’t pay his debt, it’s only one person.  Now, if the city of Los Angeles passes a law that tells me I have to give everyone who asks me a loan and the city will back-me-up if they don’t pay me-back.  I am going to give loans to hundreds of people because I want to get more customers and make them happy.  I don’t care if they can pay it back or not, since the city promised me they would bail me out if there was a problem.”

Khomoro’s example is pretty much exactly what happened on a national level with banks.  Banks were reassured that bad loans would be protected by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  www.CHALDEAN.org Michigan columnist Sam Yousif wrote that the blame lies with Democrats.  The article created a flurry of e-mails.  Over forty-two e-mails were sent asking for more information.  So we put our California business reporter, David Najor on the task.  This is what Najor reports...

It all began with the CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) that quickly turned into a thief’s bank in the early 90's.   The Los Angeles Times reported that, starting in 1992, a majority-Democratic Congress "mandated that Fannie and Freddie increase their purchases of mortgages for low-income and medium-income borrowers. Operating under that requirement, Fannie Mae, in particular, has been aggressive and creative in stimulating minority gains."

California, USA – “The entire Milk Day movement is based on fallacies, is offensive, and every Chaldean around the world should contact Governor Schwarzenegger and tell him to veto this bill.  Again, they are attempting to shove immorality down our throats,” declares Jonathan Shayota.

Gina Ateek agrees that, “AB 2567 needs to be vetoed.”  The California bill is now awaiting Governor Schwarzenegger’s signature that would designate May 22nd a day to celebrate homosexuality.  “Unless the governor receives 1 million phone calls requesting the bill be vetoed,” says Ateek.  “Everyone with a phone should call 1-916-445-2841, then press 1,2,1,2 to record a no vote for this bill.” 

Mosul, IRAQ – “If the condemnation by their Imams of the kidnapping and murder of Chaldean Archbishop Rahho was not enough, what will stop them,” says Eddie Gulli.  The Archbishop left big shoes to fill after his disgraceful execution.  “Our people have been able to survive because of faith.  They know this and that is why they attack our church.  They know if you attack our faith you will ultimately kill all of us.”

Gulli’s comments ring true to many Iraqi Christian leaders.  The continuous attacks against the passive church seem to only get worse.  “It seems the more humble and forgiving the church, the angrier these crazy people become,” Gulli comments while shaking his head dumbfounded. 

As soon as a new priest, Fr. Bassman Fatoohey was assigned to replace the Archbishop in Mosul the threats against his life began.  "I recently received a letter at the presbytery. Inside was a bullet. I knew at once what it meant," he says: "I was a marked man,” Fr. Fatoohey tells the Catholic Herald.