Free Republic

In response to Joe Feuerherd’s question about whether the president might “write off the bishops,� President Obama had this to say. He said that he would not “write off the bishops,� and gave his reasons. “Number one, one of the strengths of our democracy is that everybody is free to express their political opinions, and I take people’s opinions seriously. I’m the President of all Americans, not just the Americans who happen to agree with me,� said the president. “The American bishops have a profound influence in their communities, in the church, and beyond,� he continued. “What I will...

As California's fiscal crisis careened out of control with Thursday's issuance of IOUs, Democrats and Republicans remained deadlocked, largely over one of the state's biggest responsibilities: providing a safety net for poor and sick residents.At the center of the dispute is a question over how deeply the state should cut spending on health care for poor children, welfare payments to single mothers and in-home services for the elderly and the disabled.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger initially wanted to eliminate such programs. But in the past week, the governor softened his stand, instead demanding deep cuts, the rooting out of fraud in the...

WASHINGTON, July 3, 2009 – U.S. Marines and Afghan security forces are continuing Operation Khanjar in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, NATO officials said today. Almost 4,000 personnel from the Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan have moved into cities and towns along the Helmand River and are digging in for the long haul. The addition of nearly 22,000 American personnel in Afghanistan will allow the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force to institute a “clear, hold, build” counterinsurgency strategy. Before, small numbers of coalition forces would enter an area and clear it of Taliban, but the shortage of forces meant that when they pulled...

President Obama wrapped up his interview with the Catholic press with a question on the Middle East and how his administration plans to address the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. “We have been very clear that we think settlements should stop ...,� said the president. “On the other hand, it’s not just the problem of Israeli settlements. The Palestinians have a set of obligations, some of which the Palestinian Authority have met, some of which they have not been as strong on. We want to encourage them to clamp down on violence, to end the incitement that you still hear, unfortunately, in...

Beijing on Friday joined a growing clamour of complaint about US plans for a carbon tax on imports from countries without their own emission caps, warning it could set off a global trade war. The warning follows the passage of a cap-and-trade bill in the US House of Representatives last weekend, which contained tough provisions to impose carbon tariffs to ensure that American companies would not lose competitive advantage. A recent report by the World Trade Organisation and the UN said such taxes could in theory be crafted to be compatible with WTO law, but it would be hard to...

Or so claims Newt Gingrich about Sen. Jim DeMint's new book, "Saving Freedom: We can stop America's slide into socialism." We'll see. I bought the book a few days back, but then this Sanford and Jacko thing one-two'ed me into a state of delirious punch-drunkeness and I just stumbled from screen to screen until I was down for the count. (Wow, that sentence didn't make a lick of sense. You'd think I was offering some kind of explanation about my love of the Appalachian Trail.) On Friday July 3, the DeMinted one will be in Chucktown to sign copies of...

In response to a question about statements made by those affiliated with the president’s administration, President Obama offered his position on homosexual rights with regard to the Church. “For the gay and lesbian community in this country, I think it’s clear that they feel victimized in fairly powerful ways and they’re often hurt by not just certain teachings of the Catholic Church, but the Christian faith generally,� said the president. “And as a Christian, I’m constantly wrestling with my faith and my solicitude and regard and concern for gays and lesbians.� “To the extent that I weighed into these debates,...

For one who was born and grew up in the small towns of the Midwest, there is a special kind of nostalgia about the Fourth of July. I remember it as a day almost as long anticipated as Christmas. This was helped along by the appearance in store windows of all kinds of fireworks and colorful posters advertising them with vivid pictures. No later than the third of July - sometimes earlier - Dad would bring home what he felt he could afford to see go up in smoke and flame. We'd count and recount the number of firecrackers, display...

Hey just thought some of you might enjoy. Happy Independence Day guys and gals.

Ms. Nisreen Abdul Raoof plays with an orphan at the Deep Strike farewell to the children of the Kut orphanage at the Rehanah Al-Haydaryah Family Park, June 26. Nisreen said they came up with the idea to have a farewell in the park so the American forces could say goodbye to the children. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson. FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA — Children from the Kut orphanage were treated to an evening of games, gifts and entertainment at the Rehanah Al-Haydaryah Family Park by 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, June 26."It was an...

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is accusing President Barack Obama and the Organization of American States of undermining the democratic processes in Honduras, saying the military coup last week that deposed José Manuel Zelaya as president was constitutional and reflected the will of the Honduran people. "The people of Honduras have struggled too long to have their hard-won democracy stolen from them by a Chavez-style dictator," DeMint, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, said in a statement. "The Honduran Congress, the Honduran Supreme Court, and the Honduran military...

We reported earlier on the president’s meeting with the Catholic press and his promise regarding conscience-clause protection. For his exact words on the subject, read on. “I think that the only reason that my position may appear unclear is because it came in the wake of a last-minute, 11th-hour change in conscience clause provisions that were pushed forward by the previous administration that we chose to reverse,� said President Obama. “But my underlying position has always been consistent, which is I’m a believer in conscience clauses. I was a supporter of a robust conscience clause in Illinois for Catholic hospitals...

Are Union members to blame for for California's budget crisis or is the Union leadership?

In response to a question from The Washington Post regarding finding a home church, President Obama had this to say: “Michelle and I decided that we would wait a few months after arriving before we made a decision on this, partly — let’s be blunt: I mean, we were pretty affected by what happened at Trinity and the controversy surrounding Reverend Wright,� said the president. “That was deeply disturbing to us, and it was disappointing for us personally. It made us very sensitive to the fact that as president the church we attend can end up being interpreted as speaking...

Sarah Palin’s announcement today that she is stepping down from her position as governor of Alaska, effective in two weeks, took the political world by surprise. Alaska’s lieutenant governor will be sworn in soon as that state’s chief executive in Pioneer Park. This will all be very orderly, but both the MSM outlets and the new media — the ones who are not out of town, taking mini-vacations for the Fourth of July — are oddly off-balance about the whole episode. To be sure, part of Mrs. Palin’s announcement was expected. Most people anticipated that she would let us in...

The divide in practicing versus non-practicing Catholic voters (Gallup). Another questioner asked the president if he felt as if he had been dragged into a longtime family feud among Catholics, liberal and conservative. For the second time during the discussion, President Obama mentioned the influence of Cardinal Bernardin. “When I was first becoming interested in social justice issues, the American bishops were talking about nuclear freezes and sanctuary for illegal immigrants and protesting U.S. policy in Latin America,� said the president. “And there was, I think, a very different set of perspectives that were represented, arising out of the Second...

Mark Levin is happy now that he's got a bestseller decrying the tyranny certain to descend upon America under liberal rule, which Sean Hannity touted on his Fox News show last night. The appearance produced some plum bon mots fresh from Planet Wingnuttia: Levin: What's going on in this country is really anti-liberty. The president is -- you know, they just put Bernie Madoff away for life. The president's policies are Bernie Madoff times a thousand. He is taking a wrecking ball to this society. Levin evidently seems to have conveniently forgotten that Bernie Madoff was an exemplar of the...

Another month or two, and this really will be the biggest economic disaster since the Great Depression. Read » The chart below, from Calculated Risk, shows the percentage decline in jobs from peak employment in all the recessions since World War 2. We still haven't quite eclipsed the 1948 drop, but we likely will in another month or two. And that will leave only the Great Depression to make us feel better about ourselves. The good news in the chart, such as it is, is that employment can recover quickly once it finally turns. Anyone care to place a bet...

Incredible webcast. In the first 2 minutes of the 3 hour webcast, he Lyndon LaRouche calls Obama criminally insane. Watch Webcast

The buzz on the Internet seems to be interested in what questions were asked of the president at his meeting with members of the Catholic press, and who asked them. Given the press’ recent grilling of White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, it should be known that the questions were not pre-packaged. Here’s a rundown on who asked what… Joe Feuerherd, of the National Catholic Reporter, who was sitting on the president’s right, asked the first question. He asked, “Outside of your partisan political opponents – the Republicans – there’s one group that has also been critical of you in perhaps...

I am an admirer of Douglas MacArthur and remember a speech he gave to the people of the Philippines on his return. I also admire Palin and think she has the ability to inspire. She is no MacArthur, and she has much to prove, but we need something to fight for. Here is the speech with slight alterations to fit our time and place. I think the General would approve. To People of the United States, I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces will rise again on American soil…. The time of our redemption is here…....

Calculated Risk illustrates what we already knew: the bank stress tests weren't nearly stressful enough. The chart below looks at unemployment by quarter. The green bars are the "base case" in the stress tests (the most likely scenario, in the government's opinion). The blue bars are the "adverse case" scenario--unlikely but possible. And the red bars are what's actually happening (Q2 is a forecast). The larger story here, unfortunately, is that the Obama administration continues to blow its credibility on the economy. By being too optimistic from the get-go, the administration is opening the door for critics and opponents who...

The Top Ten Reasons Sarah Palin is Resigning.... 10.Her mounting legal bills make it difficult to relax on her porch and stare at Russia. 9. She wants to raise Michael Jackson's children. 8. To pursue her goal of becoming a Tina Fey impersonator. 7. She wants to take time to learn all of her children's names. 6. Has an opportunity to teach "winking 101" at Harvard's political science department. 5. After returning all of her campaign attire, she's out of things to wear. 4. To start her own line of lip stick for pitbulls. 3. Wants to pick off David...

Here is video of former Secretary of State Colin Powell saying - somewhat grudgingly - that he is "concerned" about all the spending and programs being pushed by President Obama. Powell made the statement after pushed by CNN's John King, who played a video of Powell speaking at the 1996 GOP Convention where he explained why he became a Republican. Powell said then he wanted a smaller government and lower taxes with less bureaucracy. King then asked Powell how he felt about Obama's policies in light of that speech. . . . . . (Watch Video)

Lt. Gov. Response to Palin’s Announcement (July 3, 2009, Wasilla, Alaska) Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell has released his prepared remarks in response to Governor Palin's announcement.Thank you, Governor. It is with a heavy heart that I hear these words. I so appreciate what you have done for our state and your sacrificial service. You have been a strong leader for our state, you've inspired a nation, and you've ignited the fire of real hope around the world.I profoundly respect your decision for I know the depth of character and integrity from which it springs. Rare, indeed, are such selfless acts...

Just spoke to a consultant plugged in with a non-McCain Republican presidential candidate from 2008. His first words: “Steve Schmidt wins.” “I don’t think she’s toast (for future office). But this makes it more difficult. I’m trying to think of a candidate who launched a serious national bid after one term or less*… I guess the last one would be Romney, and he had done one full term.” On the theory that the scrutiny of her children was the straw that broke the camel's back, the consultant said, “From the interaction I’ve had with her, that would make some sense.”...

WASHINGTON - I have covered politics for a long time. I can tell when someone is running for president. Sarah Palin is running for president. On a sunny (slow news) day in Wasilla, Alaska, the governor and former GOP vice presidential candidate appeared before the cameras and   announced that she was stepping down as the state's chief executive 18 months before her term expires. Just like that — like the distant sound of a chain saw in a stand of northern pines — the 2012 Republican race lurched into gear. Palin is not the front-runner — there IS no front-runner...

Honduras' Supreme Court rebuffed a personal appeal from the Americas' top international diplomat Friday, refusing to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya before a Saturday deadline. Jose Miguel Insulza, who heads the Organization of American States, flew to Honduras in an attempt to persuade the forces that ousted Zelaya to take him back in the face of overwhelming international condemnation and economic sanctions. He met for two hours with Jorge Rivera, president of the Supreme Court that authorized the military to seize Zelaya on Sunday and fly him into exile.

At the Roman Synod on the Bible in October 2008, which I covered for HPR, the most common topic mentioned was the need to recommend “Lectio Divina” as a pious practice among the faithful. You have probably seen the phrase mentioned in recent articles about the synod.“Lectio Divina” (LD) literally translated means “divine reading.” What it really means is praying with the Bible by selecting a passage and meditating on it. It can be done alone by an individual and it can also be done in a small prayer group. LD has a long history of being practiced in...

They didn’t expect this to happen. They, the wealthy inside the beltway liberals who were instigating one ethics charge after another against Governor Palin, were thinking that she would at least serve her first term as Governor. These endless ethics charges would not only cost Palin financially but would serve to bloody her up politically for her run for President in 2012. The ethics charges, while baseless were still costing the Palin family $500,000. More charges and more costs would definitely continue up thru 2010 and 2012. As a Governor, Sarah would be a sitting duck for the left to...

No way to tell if this is a real window onto her mind or just spin to salve the wound of a tough day, but the Palinistas deserve some hope. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin plans to remain extremely visible and will give serious consideration to running for president in 2012, but has made no decision, a close friend said after her startling announcement Friday that she will resign her office… Those friends say she plans to give a series of paid speeches, and will also make free GOP appearances, raising money for the party and for issues. She also plans...

I sent this website a suggestion for a bumper sticker. They did it! What do you think? http://www.patriotdepot.com/freeloadernation.aspx

Here is video from this afternoon where CNN's Rick Sanchez wondered out loud if Sarah Palin's resignation as Governor of Alaska could be because she is -- pregnant. The media is desperate to know why Palin is stepping down! . . . . (Watch Video)

CNN's Rick Sanchez wonders if Gov. Sarah Palin is stepping down because she is pregnant "again."

"President Obama says his first trip to Sub-Saharan Africa won't include a stop in his father's Kenyan homeland because of his view that the violence-plagued country still has a long way to go in becoming a free and open democracy..."

Never a word from the Obama regime about Venezuela's threat to invade Honduras and restore Chavez crony and fellow usurper Zelaya to power, but there is no lack of volume in Obama’s actions. Instead of facing Venezuela with a palm turned “stop,” Obama is pointedly walking away. AP headline: “U.S. halts military operations with Honduras to protest coup.” This is not just some planned military exercise that has been cancelled. Honduras is a close military ally and a base of operations for the United States in Central America. We will continue to use our bases, but as of now, the...

The Huffington Post, an official arm of the Obama administration, published an article a few minutes ago on the resignation of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin with the following headline: Palin Will Run in '12 on More Retardation PlatformTo make sure that the article's reference to Gov. Palin's infant son Trig who was born with Down Syndrome last year, the article is keyword tagged by the Huffington Post: ...Sarah Palin Trig; Trig; Comedy NewsThe article is authored by Erik Sean Nelson was posted at the Huffington Post at 6 p.m. EDT.The text of the article:In Sarah Palin's resignation announcement she complained...

Chris Cillizza at The Fix has sources that counter what NBC's Andrea Mitchell is reporting about the reason for Gov. Sarah Palin's decision to resign her office. Cillizza reports that a source close to Gov. Sarah Palin says Palin is resigning as Alaska Governor in order to build a team for a 2012 run for the GOP Presidential nomination. Andrea Mitchell is reporting sources who say Palin is quitting politics for good . . . .

State agency's new logo has an anarchist ring to it By Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel Posted: July 2, 2009 Madison — As the state agency charged with running elections, the Government Accountability Board can't show favor for Republicans or Democrats. But is it biased toward anarchists? The board recently launched a new logo - an A inside a circle - that looks similar to the traditional symbol for anarchy. "It being an anarchy sign and the government - there's definitely irony there," said Madison's Ear Wax Record Shop owner Rob Cleveland, who is familiar with the anarchy symbol...

Video at link above...

Escaped prisoners who are on the run will not be named in case it breaches their right to privacy, civil servants have ruled. The edict has been made even though many convicts are fully identified with photographs sent out by police at the time they go on the run. Ministry of Justice officials say the Data Protection Act means they are unable to confirm the names of escaped prisoners still at large. Justice Secretary Jack Straw is being urged to investigate the ruling amid fears it could undermine public appeals to track down escaped prisoners. The policy was revealed when...

As Gov. Sarah Palin prepares to leave office, the wait for her e-mails will outlive her. Thirteen requests for her e-mails, made under state records laws before the November 2008 presidential election, are still pending, according to the acting Alaska attorney general, Richard A. Svobodny. When it first received the requests, the office of the Republican vice-presidential nominee quoted prices as high as $15 million for copies of state e-mails — not even counting the copying cost. It since has come down, quoting costs more in the range of $5,000 to $10,000 for the larger requests.

Palin Announces No Second Term No Lame Duck Session Either Hi Alaska, I appreciate speaking directly TO you, the people I serve, as your Governor. People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine. I want Alaskans to grasp what can be in store for our state. We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity. He...

> Three circus elephants scored a decisive victory over three human competitive eaters at a cross-species eating contest Friday, chomping down on 505 hot dog buns in six minutes. The humans forced down only 143 buns in the bout at Brooklyn's Coney Island. >

Just spoke with people VERY well connected with Palin's DC operation. Reports that she has announced to staff that she is permanently out of politics are NOT true. Three caviats: 1: She may have told Alaska staff that she is out of politics forever. 2: She may have told Alaska staff that she is out of ALASKA politics forever. 3: Word may have not filtered down to DC yet. That said, senior DC people very close to her think she is very far from out of politics.

Could Sarah's move mean the beginning of a Conservative third party?

ORLANDO, Florida (CNN) -- He looks like President Barack Obama, speaks like him, and even gestures like him, but he is not exactly the president of the United States. This president is an audio-animatronic Obama surrounded by the 42 other U.S. presidents at Walt Disney World's newly revamped Hall of Presidents in Orlando, Florida. Disney gathered a team of what it calls "Imagineers," each trained in various disciplines such as artistry, design and engineering, to update the attraction that has been around since 1971. It's hard to believe the figures are not real people and, according to Disney officials, that's...

super-friender and MTV hookup star Tila Tequila has a message for President Obama: Repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays. In a blogpost at globalgrind.com, Tequila, née Tila Nguyen, tells the story of Dan Choi, "a hero to many of us in the human rights movement," who was booted from the Army after publicly announcing he's gay. "Being an openly bisexual woman myself and having a lot of close gay friends, I have always HATED that policy," which was instituted by former President Bill Clinton in a compromise over his position on gays in the military that...

EIRUT – Syria's leader sent a July 4 message full of praise to President Barack Obama on Friday and invited him to visit Syria — the latest signs Damascus is hedging its bets in Mideast politics, warming up to its rival the United States at a time when its longtime ally Iran is in turmoil.

If you're scared of heights, it may be time to look away now. Not content with having the tallest building in America, the owners of Sears Tower in Chicago have installed four glass box viewing platforms which stick out of the building 103 floors up. The balconies are suspended 1,353 feet in the air and jut out four feet from the building's Skydeck. Designers say the platforms - collectively dubbed The Ledge - have been purposely designed to make visitors feel as they are floating above the city. The reward is unobstructed views of Chicago from the building's west side...