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Mark Caserta: Who is qualified to question God’s word?

13 Nov

And why is it so important for liberals to refute the Bible?

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

11.13.2015

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If anything, our nation longs for a moral compass with steadfast principals which offer hope for eternity rather than the frivolity of temporal gratification.

Anyone truly understanding God’s Word should know Jesus’ message was one of hope in the midst of hopelessness. Driven by a love we couldn’t possibly understand, the Son of God subjected himself to the frailty and passions of man, yet remained sinless. This sinless nature allowed Jesus to amass the sins of mankind and freely offer his life as a cleansing sacrifice for those who would call upon the name of the Lord.

If we aren’t to believe the entire Bible is the inerrant, Holy Spirit inspired Word of God – then what parts should we discard? Are we to believe that a Holy God, who spoke the world into existence, is capable of making a mistake? If so, then how can we be certain of our eternal salvation?

My experience has been that any scripture that impedes a lascivious lifestyle and narrows the path to righteousness will be brought to question. Often, liberals will attempt to discredit the infallibility of God’s Word by taking scripture out of context to validate their argument. It’s truly interesting how liberals challenge scripture that restricts them but leverage it if it empowers them.

None of us is qualified to “pick and choose” what parts of the Bible are true. Doing so would be the height of arrogance and hypocrisy. I submit that if even one word is false, we have no hope.

All of us who trust and believe in God’s Word share an eternal hope – not by our works, but by His Grace. And frankly, anything less than receiving the Bible in its entirety is much too great a risk to lose an eternity in Heaven.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

Mark Caserta: Russia’s influence growing at US expense

7 Nov

Is Russia winning the modern day Cold War?

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

  • Nov 6, 2015

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is rapidly returning his nation to international prominence and easily upstaging the Obama administration in the Middle East. In a recent BBC column, diplomatic and defense editor Mark Urban reports that just one month into Russia’s Syria intervention, it has deployed a strike force of 34 combat jets and 21 helicopters that have conducted approximately 1,000 flying attack missions. He added that U.S.-led forces have averaged around six strikes per day during the last year.

Some may recall when Obama was caught on camera at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit shaking hands with Dmitry Medvedev, assuring the outgoing Russian president that he will have “more flexibility” to deal with issues like missile defense after the U.S. presidential election. While I viewed this as a ploy by President Obama to protect his re-election from what might be considered poor judgment, Russian leadership viewed it as weakness and an opportunity to restore Russian power.

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In an online U.S. Politics and Policy column in Financial Times by Demetri Sevastopulo, he reports that Russian warships and submarines are operating at levels not seen in two decades, according to the new head of the U.S. Navy. “Their submarine force and their navy are as active as they have been in a long time, 20 years or so,” Admiral John Richardson said in an interview. “How are we going to posture our forces to make sure that we maintain the appropriate balance and are suitably engaged?”

But being “suitably engaged” has never appealed to Barack Obama.

Just last week, despite vowing there would be “no boots on the ground” in Syria, White House press secretary Josh Earnest confirmed the president’s decision to send 50 special forces troops to Syria in an “advisory” role to help rebel forces in the fight against ISIS.

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This feeble action of sending only 50 men into harm’s way sends a deafening message to our allies and enemies that Barack Obama isn’t taking the war on ISIS seriously. It’s simply a gratuitous attempt to appease critics and could pave the way for Russia to augment its influence and partnership in the region.

It’s been nearly a quarter century since the fall of the Kremlin. Ronald Reagan’s “peace through strength” policies are largely credited for precipitating the downfall of the Soviet empire. But the ebbing of our nation’s strength is creating a vacuum of power other nations desire to fill.

 Will America ever return to being a “shining city upon a hill,” as portrayed by John Winthrop? Well, if it’s to happen, it will require bold, inspiring, truthful leadership – and someone who values the virtues of Capitalism.

And this administration fails on all counts.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

Mark Caserta: US future depends on support of Israel

29 Oct

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

I firmly believe that a major contributing factor to the prosperity of the United States has been our relationship and support of Israel.

Genesis 12:3 clearly depicts the benefits of supporting God’s people.

“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

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For years, Israel has been a critical ally to the U.S. in the Middle East, where hostility toward the Israeli people has been rampant. And now all indications from the Obama administration suggest that President Obama is abandoning our steadfast relationship with Israel despite their partnership in democracy in the region.

Obama’s incessant push for a nuclear deal with Iran was perhaps the tipping point for ongoing relations with the Israeli people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal with Iran “a bad mistake of historic proportions,” as reported in a July Fox News article.

“Iran is going to receive a sure path to nuclear weapons. Many of the restrictions that were supposed to prevent it from getting there will be lifted,” Netanyahu said before a meeting with the Dutch Foreign Minister in Jerusalem. “Iran will get a jackpot, a cash bonanza of hundreds of billions of dollars, which will enable it to continue to pursue its aggression and terror in the region and in the world.”

While it’s true that some of the nuclear restrictions remain in place for the next 25 years, time does not dismay Iranian leadership in their vow to destroy Israel. Following the deal which involved the U.S. and five other countries, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, taunted Israel with a threat of colossal proportion.

Referencing the 25-year time frame in an Iranian state-run media report, the Ayatollah predicted the extinction of Israel by the end of the deal’s terms. “I’d say (to Israel) that they will not see (the end) of these 25 years,” said the Ayatollah, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. “God willing, there will be no such thing as a Zionist regime in 25 years.”

But there is no new news here. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Iranian leadership has sought its destruction and referred to the U.S. as the “Great Satan” for our support of the Jewish people.

Obama’s disdain for Israel is very troubling. Following the wave of violence where innocent Israelis were being stabbed in the streets by anti-Semitists, the Obama administration accused Israel of participating in terrorism while acting to protect their people.

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“Individuals on both sides of this divide are – have proven capable of, and in our view, are guilty of acts of terrorism.” State Department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters following the spike in violence as reported by Kellan Howell in the Washington Times.

I believe in many ways the U.S. is now experiencing the repercussions of abandoning our support of Israel. Our next president must work diligently to re-establish our bond with the Jewish state.

Our future hangs in the balance.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

Mark Caserta: Hillary’s testimony may yield truth about Benghazi

24 Oct

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

  • Oct 22, 2015

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is slated to testify today before a special House committee chaired by Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., regarding the Sept. 11, 2012, attack. I fully expect this much anticipated testimony could significantly impact Hillary’s campaign for her party’s presidential nomination.

In an article this week in the Los Angeles Times by W.J. Hennigan, Gowdy was quoted as saying the investigation “has taken on new importance” after receiving Ambassador Stevens’ emails leading up to the attack.

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“If you want a window into Libya and what was happening in the weeks and months before these four were killed, why would you not look at the ambassador’s emails?” he said. “He was a prolific emailer.”

An Associated Press release this week reported that emails from Ambassador Stevens to the State Department show that additional security was requested for the area almost from the moment the ambassador arrived, but were virtually ignored. According to the release, in one of the Ambassador’s emails he joked, “Maybe we should ask another government to pay our security upgrades because our government isn’t willing to do it.”

In fact, multiple email trails continue to haunt the former First Lady.

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A piece in the Wall Street Journal by Peter Nicholas and Byron Tau reported that 300 emails recently released by the State Department revealed that Hillary had received emails from her top aides warning about the dangerous security conditions in Benghazi prior to the terrorist attack.

You may recall, following the incident, President Obama and members of his administration attempted to blame the attack on a “spontaneous protest” resulting from an obscure, anti-Islamic video. It was several days before the administration finally admitted it was, indeed, a terrorist attack.

Hillary’s testimony before the committee will surely be more awkward than her 2013 testimony. Rep. Gowdy and his committee have pursued and acquired additional facts which will be difficult for her to explain.

Since leaving the administration, then-defense secretary and CIA chief Leon Panetta has divulged that he knew that Benghazi was a “terrorist attack” right away. In a 2014 interview with MSNBC, Panetta said he sensed it from the beginning.

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“I didn’t have any specific information, but the fact was, when you bring grenade launchers to a demonstration, there’s something else going on,” Panetta said. “And I just, from the very beginning, sensed that this was an attack – this was a terrorist attack on our compound.”

Now, I’m sure most liberal Democrats share Hillary’s position of “What difference, at this point does it make?” and would like for Benghazi to just go away.

But for the families of the victims who lost their lives, the difference is the closure of finally knowing the truth.

And we surely owe them that.

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Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

Mark Caserta: Christians must unite, vote in 2016

15 Oct

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

10.15.15

Each election cycle, millions of Christians forego their responsibility to make their voices heard at the polls. Whether brought about simply from a general disdain for politics or a lack of trust in elected officials to live up to their word, we are seeing our nation slip away from us as a result.

This upcoming presidential election may be the most important in my lifetime. Americans face choices detrimental to the future of our nation’s sovereignty.

So, how important is it for Christians to vote in 2016? Well, if we don’t, we lose – period.

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Understand the face of our nation has changed. Liberals engaged in propagating the progressive movement throughout the years have strategically aligned many segments of our population with their liberal ideology. While their methodology is subtle and offered with a feigned dose of compassion, their sympathetic ear for the “victimized” among us has never been about healing a nation, but about buying their votes.

Under the guise of “uniting a nation,” liberal Democrats have pursued an ordered approach to buy the vote of nearly every demographic available. Yet, the U.S. has never been more divided. Their goal is simply to make their part of the voter base bigger. And it was this base that put Barack Obama back in office for a second term. Trust me when I tell you this will happen again, unless Christians vote.

Let’s look at the demographics liberal Democrats have sought to purchase with your tax dollars.

Democrats have aggressively pursued the female vote by partnering with them in the alleged “war on women.” And any conservative taking a stand on behalf of the unborn child or protecting the religious conscience of those refusing to pay for the murder of the unborn or a woman’s birth control must be against a woman’s right to choose and their health.

Democrats seek to own the Hispanic vote. In fact, Obama’s entire executive stance on illegal immigration and providing amnesty for illegals already in our nation is simply about buying their vote. And those currently crossing our borders illegally receive a wink and nod from this administration and are harbored safely in some liberal sanctuary city.

And woe to the “homophobe” seeking to protect the sanctity of marriage being between one man and one woman. Any conservative contesting a liberal’s right to re-define marriage as we’ve known it for hundreds of years is simply filled with hatred and bigotry. Democrats oblige the LGBT lifestyle simply to court their vote.

It’s disturbing how the Democratic Party has manipulated the African-American voter. Rather than offer a promising future to those less fortunate due to the confines of an inner city where education and opportunity are often scarce, they’re content to get these families addicted to the helping hand of big government and secure their vote.

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Christians, don’t fall prey to believing your vote doesn’t matter. It’s never mattered more!

I’m reminded of a man named Jesus, who took 12 of the most unlikely men imaginable and shook the world.

What do you suppose 250 million Christians could do if we pulled together?

If we unite, we can take back our country.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

Mark Caserta: Adding more gun laws is not the answer

8 Oct

 

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

The threat to our homeland from domestic Islamic terrorism has never been greater in the history of the United States. The seemingly unimpeded march of radical Islam toward the West has indeed emboldened those who have sought to broaden their coercion of a caliphate, or a state governed in accordance with Sharia Law.

America reportedly now has ISIS members who have penetrated our borders and are actively recruiting domestic terrorists for attacks within the U.S. FBI Director James Comey has been traveling the country warning the terror group is now recruiting in all 50 states and Americans must be on alert.

“Those people exist in every state. I have homegrown violent extremist investigations in every single state”, Comey said to an ABC News team, describing their network as a “chaotic spider web.”

 In addition to the increasing threat of domestic Islamic terrorism, our nation continues to witness senseless murders by psychopaths on school campuses, in churches and in the streets. From Columbine, to Aurora, to Blacksburgthe list disturbingly lengthens.
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So, given the fact that American lives have arguably never been more at risk, why would President Obama ostensibly seek to disarm not only America but Americans?

Last week, in the wake of the latest mass murder in Oregon, Obama unashamedly politicized the massacre while taking aim at the National Rifle Association for blocking gun reform. Obama said it wasn’t enough to offer prayers after major shootings which continue to occur regularly throughout the country.

“As I said just a few months ago, and I said just a few months before that, and I said each time we see one of these mass shootings, our thoughts and prayers are not enough,” Obama told reporters after the latest shooting at the community college in which 10 people were killed and another 7 injured. He challenged Americans to hold their elected official accountable for acting on the issue.

So, Mr. President, since criminals by nature ignore the law, what sort of new gun law would have prevented this latest tragic attack? While it may be clich; when you take guns from law-abiding citizens, only the criminals will have guns. How do you explain your home city of Chicago, which has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, having such rampant gun violence? According to the Center for Disease Control, Chicago ranks among the highest in metropolitan areas for gun violence!

 New gun laws will not deter criminals. We should focus on the training and education of law-abiding citizens in properly defending themselves from those who ignore the law. When I obtained my concealed-carry permit, I was required to complete a hands-on course with a qualified instructor. And only those ignorant of what this training involves would paint a scenario replete with wanton vigilante “blasting” where innocent lives are even more at risk.
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If a responsible, armed individual trained in the proper use of a firearm had been present at most of these massacres, lives would have been saved. It’s that simple.

Another law on the books would have been useless.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

Mark Caserta: Republicans simply lied to the American people

1 Oct

Voters were betrayed

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

10.1.15

Last November, Americans sent a stern message to Barack Obama and the Democrats when they handed Congress over to the Republicans. Promises were made for GOP “guns to be a-blazin” when they controlled both legislative bodies. No doubt, these vows impacted the huge Democratic losses.

So what has our Republican-controlled Congress accomplished for the American people since gaining control? Well, it’s as though the elections never happened!

Let’s look at a few of the promises turned foul.

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Virtually every GOP candidate running in 2014 promised to do everything possible to repeal Obamacare, beginning with its defunding. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged that he, too, would support defunding and repealing the president’s signature healthcare law. A 2013 Newsmax article by Todd Beamon shares McConnell’s commentary from an exclusive interview.

“I don’t think it was a waste of time,” the Kentucky Republican said. “The American people do fully understand that still, not a single Republican in the House or Senate favors this awful new law — and if they will send us enough additional new members to get rid of it, we will.”

But when Republicans had their chances through defunding efforts, leadership buckled. McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner even criticized members of their own party who pushed the effort. A May blog in “The Hill” by columnist Brent Bozell went as far as to say “Boehner and McConnell could cost the GOP the White House in 2016”.

And as with Obamacare, the Republicans running in 2014 promised voters they would put a stop to Obama’s unconstitutional executive order granting amnesty to millions who entered the country illegally. Even now, a vast majority of voters who gave Republicans the Congress are still against Obama’s illegal actions, including 42 percent of Hispanic voters born in the United States, according to a December 2014 Gallup Poll.

But once again, Republicans sold out the American people. After a timid attempt to defund the part of the Department of Homeland Security bill that funneled taxpayer dollars to fund Obama’s illegal actions, members of the GOP argued within their own party, while Democrats stood firm. In the end, the “cromnibus” funding bill that included paying for illegal executive amnesty passed with GOP support.

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 Conservative voters were also promised by Republicans in the last election to pass a ban on abortions past the 20-week mark. For the first time since the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban was enacted in 2003, there was opportunity to restrict the murder of the unborn. The bill had already passed The House once in 2013.

But at the last moment, a number of Republicans withdrew their support claiming they feared it would alienate too many Americans, especially women, even though the majority of Americans support the ban according to a 2013 CBS News poll.

So what needs to happen? Well, part of it already has. John Boehner, sensing mutiny in the GOP camp, is resigning as House Speaker. I believe Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should be the next to go.

It’s time for honest leadership — with a backbone.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

Mark Caserta: Kim Davis’ ordeal offers multiple lessons

17 Sep

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

For years, I’ve been committed to exposing the progressive movement in the United States. I consider it a conservative responsibility since it’s never addressed properly in the liberal media and for that matter, in the church.

Understand, the progressive modus operandi is consistent. Liberals typically select causes involving “civil rights” or religious issues in which they feel imposing a sliding rule of morality will bolster their long-term agenda. Once identifying such opportunities, they begin a tenacious attack appealing to liberal-minded “thinkers” unable to comprehend a Christian-minded “believer’s” faith in God.

Such was the case with Kentucky clerk, Kim Davis, who was jailed for five days over her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples, maintaining doing so violates her religious conscience. Davis, who claims she acted “under God’s authority,” has since become a national symbol of anti-gay hostility.

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 How dare Davis attempt to impose her belief system upon others!

It’s the epitome of hypocrisy for progressives to decry Ms. Davis’ expression of her faith, while entertaining gay pride parades where scantily clad individuals promote lascivious acts in open view. Now, I’m not speaking of a general display of affection, but flaunting exhibitions of nudity, lewdness and vulgarity.

In New York City’s recent annual “Gay Pride” parade, sponsored at the highest “Platinum” level by Walmart Corporation, families and children were exposed to behaviors and messages highly inappropriate for their age, according to a report on churchmilitant.com . The parade even featured a “sadomasochism” float! Talk about imposing your belief system on others!

Now don’t get me wrong. I believe Kim Davis allowed her passion for her service to God and community to cloud her wisdom and did, indeed, ignore the rule of law. But for liberals to suggest Ms. Davis “wanted to go to jail” in martyrdom for her cause is laughable. Gay rights activists propagating this myth are simply attempting to dismiss the legitimacy of Davis’ convictions.

Additionally, for anyone to suggest that one must be a “theologian” to understand God’s Will in the matter is the height of narcissism and arrogance. Quoting Jesus’ disciples in the New Testament, “Who then can be saved?” 1 Corinthians warns that “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

 This past Monday, a column featured in “The Guardian,” by investigative reporter Ryan Felton, shares Davis’ resolution to her dilemma. Ms. Davis did a little “confounding” of her own as she returned to work and proposed her name and title be removed from all marriage licenses to gay couples.

“I just want to serve my neighbors quietly, without violating my conscience,” Davis said. “To affix my name or authoritative title to a certificate that authorizes marriage that conflicts with God’s definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman violates my deeply held religious convictions and conscience.”

So what should be learned here? First, be able to recognize the progressive movement when you see it. It will nearly always question and refute God’s Word. Secondly, don’t be intimidated in following your conscience. And finally, seek God’s Wisdom in your approach.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.

Mark Caserta: “The Trump Effect”

10 Sep
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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor
9.10.15
Let me offer my view on “The Trump Effect”.
The candidate field is vast. When the candidates begin to narrow to 3 or 4, 30% will not be enough to win the presidency.
So, in short, expect Donald Trump to fade as we head into 2016. And as much as I respect Dr. Carson, I think he would be better suited as a member of the next GOP president’s cabinet.
Another factor which will change the entire scenario, is that Hillary Clinton has already begun to fade – quickly. She will NOT be the Democrat’s nominee and neither will Joe Biden.
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I fully expect Al Gore or John Kerry to be persuaded by Democrat leadership to throw their hat in the ring before the end of the year.
At that point, this gets serious, so serious that people supporting Trump out of emotional disdain for politics, will quickly turn to a viable, “winnable” GOP candidate.
Please don’t doubt me on this.
I’m hopeful it will be a Governor, like Scott Walker, who has already won 3 elections in the past 4 years and survived a recall vote where the labor unions threw everything they had at him – and lost.
And I believe Carly Fiorina would be the “perfect” running mate. She’s tough, very, very smart and understands business.
She would also get the female voters.
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So…my early prediction (feel free to doubt me on this)
Walker/Fiorina 2016

Mark Caserta: Congress should shut down deal with Iran

10 Sep

Obama, Kerry, Hillary and Democrats will have blood on their hands.

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Mark Caserta: Free State Patriot Editor

Upon Congress’ return to Washington this week, its members’ plate will certainly be full of contentious topics. But none is any more critical than the Iran nuclear deal, otherwise known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

After reviewing many of the provisions of this international agreement, I’m not only concerned at the number of dangerous concessions the deal makes to Iran, but also the way it betrays our allies and gives aid to a sworn enemy of the United States and Israel.

The basic mechanism of the accord involves trading previously imposed sanctions for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear proliferation. And while there are a number of stipulations which could impede Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, the long-term problems are numerous.

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First, the restrictions on uranium enrichment are time-based and would expire at some point in the future, ultimately opening a door for Iran to continue building its nuclear program and possibly creating a Middle East nuclear arms race. Time will not change the fact that Iran is a staunch enemy of Israel and has vowed to destroy that country.

And Iran is clearly no friend of the United States. Incredibly, just one day after Obama appealed to Iranians in a video message to seize a “historic opportunity” for a nuclear deal and a better future, Iran’s Supreme leader Ali Khamenei called for “death to America”!

On top of reducing sanctions in return for Iran’s promise of “good behavior,” the U.S. along with five other members of the U.N. Security Council and the European Union commit to assist Iran in developing their energy assets, finance, technology and trade. Why help strengthen the infrastructure of one of the most evil regimes in the world?

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The deal allows Iran to maintain its own nuclear reactors as long as they don’t continue to grow their capacity to enrich the core material needed for a nuclear weapon. A monitoring and verification system conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is planned to enforce Iran’s compliance, but the verification system is severely flawed.

Apparently, the agreement requires IAEA to give Iran 24 days before any facility inspection. What good is an announced inspection, regardless of the amount of time?

 And possibly the most alarming part of the Iran deal is a provision which could place the U.S. in a position of having to help defend Iran’s nuclear facilities from attacks from other nations, including Israel. A statute in one of the deal’s annexes states the U.S. and its partners will provide “Co-operation through training and workshops to strengthen Iran’s ability to protect against, and respond to nuclear security threats, including sabotage, as well as to enable effective and sustainable nuclear security and physical protection systems.”

While interpretation of this provision varies, the disintegrating relationship between Israel and the Obama administration gives one reason to worry.

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Simply put, any deal that allows Iran to become a nuclear power at any point is a poor one. The JCPOA is naive agreement based on trust that Iran has never earned.

Congress should shut this deal down.

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.