Free Republic

The United States may break with a controversial tradition and dip its flag to Britain's leaders at the opening ceremony for the London Olympics, U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) CEO Scott Blackmun said on Thursday.

Almost every American knows the traditional story of July Fourth—the soaring idealism of the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress's grim pledge to defy the world's most powerful nation with their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. But what else about revolutionary America might help us feel closer to those founders in their tricornered hats, fancy waistcoats and tight knee-breeches? Those Americans, it turns out, had the highest per capita income in the civilized world of their time. They also paid the lowest taxes—and they were determined to keep it that way. By 1776, the 13 American colonies had...

"General Washington and his troops had been defeated in September, driven from Brooklyn to Manhattan, from Manhattan to New York City, around the Palisades, across New Jersey. They declined from 30,000 troops in September to 2500 Effectives on Christmas Day. Of the 2500, one-third did not have boots. They were wearing burlap bags wrapped around their feet, as they marched; they left a trail of blood. General Washington knew that if he didn't win a victory soon, the entire army would disappear. And so he had to do something desperate. He proposed to cross an icy river, at night, in...

1776 was a watershed year in American History. July 4th, the colonies had declared independence from Britain. And so the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783) continued. By December 1776, prospects of victory seemed remote for the Continental Army. The British had driven General Washington from New York to retreat to Pennsylvania. The annual enlistment of the American soldiers were expiring at the end of the year and funds as well as morale were low. If there was every a need for a Christmas miracle, it was needed in 1776. In this bleak setting on Christmas Day, General Washington made...

Just watched the 1972 movie production of "1776". Personally I thought the movie was VERY entertaining. I'm not much into musicals and I thought for the most part the songs were forgetable. That being said, the acting was top shelf and the story, well, is, inspiring. I'm no historian, but I believe it was reasonably historically accurate. There were points in the movie when I was really moved... and when they signed the document of declaration at the end as the bell tolled, I got a tear in my eye. Please, your thoughts?

On this July 4th, American Independence Day, 2011, late Saturday night, I had come upon this YouTube recording of the Broadway presentation of the musical “1776″. The song, sung by actor Brent Spiner, who did the acting role of John Adams, one of the founding fathers and a member of the Second Continental Congress from Massachusetts, sings wondering if attending the Second Continental Congress was worth putting his life and ideas in danger. As the song progresses on, Mr. Adams realizes that it is all the more worth it when he thinks what the results will be and that an...

We could strike when government over-reaches. If the IRS came after us, an arbitrator would decide. Solidarity!

America's First ChristmasHow we reversed our fortunes in the Revolutionary War Gen. George Washington’s army retreated from New York in ignominy in November 1776. As it moved through New Jersey, Lt. James Monroe, the future president, stood by the road and counted the troops: 3,000 left from an original force of 30,000. In December 1776, the future of America hung on the fate of a bedraggled army barely a step ahead of annihilation. The Americans confronted about two-thirds of the strength of the British army, and half of its navy, not to mention thousands of German mercenaries. Ron Chernow recounts...

In a year where the average citizen is pushing for conservative candidates, this past Tuesday's Republican primary results show just how strong that sentiment is. Established "favorites" Mike Castle in Delaware's Senate race and Rick Lazio in New York's gubernatorial race were trounced by more conservative candidates. The same was true in Wisconsin and the race in New Hampshire. In Delaware, conservative Republican Christine O'Donnell came from a large pre-election cycle deficit to defeat Castle by over 6%. Polls just before the election had here receiving 47% of the vote. When all was said and done, she had gotten 53.1%...

The Tea- Party has finally come to Comanche County. And so I suppose this is my cue to finally get involved. But before I do I would like to address a few things. In the first place its important to recognize that not all of the “founding fathers” were patriots. There was quite a large contingency of men during those formative years that were not in favor of liberty for mankind, nor for low taxation, nor for a limited government. Ben Franklin at one point put fourth the idea of doing away with the states entirely and having a single...

You know…. as I read all the insults and hatred that is directed at both myself and fellow Free Keene contributors, I can’t help but think the vast majority of you making these rude remarks haven’t the slightest clue as to what exactly this blog is about. I think this because I’m fairly sure that if people really knew the logic behind things here that we would be supported, joined, and encouraged. I think this because at one time I vehemently disagreed with Ian Freeman’s (the owner of this website) view of how a society can function without institutionalized violence....

I want to have a sane discussion on Ron Paul and the growing Liberty Movement. Every time I or other freepers bring up we get people telling us Dr. Paul is crazy or we are crazy to support him and other constitutionalist politicians. When I posted a video on the success of the Free State Movement in New Hampshire ppl responded with "your crazy" and hinting the movement had failed. How could ppl say the movement failed when they've had numerous successes? I see liberals and commies such as this weirdo mock us which I would expect but why the...

After the Fed is dead our private property will be better protected from the easy money, scarce money mortgage rip offs that private bankers have used for generations to swindle away the farms, homes, and businesses that we and our ancestors have worked so hard to acquire. With the Fed dead and gone every family will be better able to establish a hearth and home from which family stability, security, and prosperity can grow from generation to generation. With the Fed dead we can use our common money system to begin building new roads to prosperity. When individuals and families...

Ron Paul shows why gov. spending is the worst way to avoid financial crisis. He shows why America needs to end the fed and go back to gold and silver if we want to survive.

It was with trepidation that I went to the National Immigration Summit held in Phoenix, Arizona on July 30 and 31. The summit was organized by national anti-illegal immigration organizations and was scheduled to celebrate the day that Arizona's State Bill 1070 became law. The National Immigration Summit was planned to send a congratulatory message to Arizonans who were finally able to take effective action to protect themselves from a horrendous crime problem tied to illegal immigration. As we all know, SB 1070 has become a cause célèbre in the national media. The new law requires, among other things, that...

Pollsters Doug Schoen and Pat Caddell, both Democrats, took on President Obama in a column in the Wall Street Journal last week, criticizing him for not being true to his campaign promise to unify the country. “Rather than being a unifier,” they say, “Mr. Obama has divided America on the basis of race, class, and partisanship.” They don’t see Republicans as any better. They claim that Republicans have just followed the administration in trying to exploit hot buttons of race and class. “….the Republican leadership has failed to put forth an agenda that is more positive, unifying, and inclusive.” Although...

This video provides shocking details about the future of America's economy. It's a MUST WATCH.

Dr. Ron Paul explains why income tax and the FED are contradictory to individualist freedom. Most freepers disagree w/ Dr. Paul on foreign policy and I do too but this video is worth listening to.

U.S. (ChattahBox) – Be prepared for more annoying copy/paste ‘Vote Ron Paul’ comments on every forum, message board, media site, and news source. Ron Paul has announced that he is official considering a 2012 run for president, CNN reports. The Texas Republican Rep. has run in the past, and he hasn’t gotten far. Though having a small group of extremely loyal supporters, most of which are Independent or Libertarian voters, he is unable to garner enough support for a GOP nomination. As for running on a third party docket, that has never gone well for any politician. It is doubtful...

Judicial activism is pushing America to the breaking point. This week, a federal judge blocked key provisions of Arizona's immigration law, thwarting the will of the people. The decision was ominous and will reverberate for years to come. Judge Susan Bolton, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, is a liberal elitist who believes judicial imperialism trumps democracy. Her ruling states that local police cannot check the immigration status of people arrested or stopped for violations of the law. In her view, that would amount to an abuse of civil liberties and unduly burden the federal immigration system. She also stipulated...

PHOENIX – A judge has blocked the most controversial sections of Arizona's new immigration law from taking effect Thursday, handing a major legal victory to opponents of the crackdown. The law will still take effect Thursday, but without many of the provisions that angered opponents — including sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws.

Explanation on why capitalism HAS NOT FAILED and N0bama is clearly leading us to socialism and gov. takeover.

For those of you who believe in bygone notions like free speech rights and the ability to criticize politicians when they do things like nationalize 1/5 of the U.S. economy, you better taken advantage of that while you can. Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has filed for cloture on the DISCLOSE Act, S. 3628, which is intended to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United and impose burdensome new disclosure requirements. The cloture vote will probably occur next Tuesday in a move that avoids committee hearings. If Reid can get 60 votes, then the Schumer/Van Hollen Sedition Act...

For the financial crisis that has wiped out trillions in wealth, many have felt the lash of public outrage. Fannie and Freddie. The idiot-bankers. The AIG bonus babies. The Bush Republicans and Barney Frank Democrats who bullied banks into making mortgages to minorities who could not afford the houses they were moving into. But the Big Kahuna has escaped. The Federal Reserve. "(T)he very people who devised the policies that produced the mess are now posing as the wise public servants who will show us the way out," writes Thomas Woods in "Meltdown." Already in its sixth week on the...

Ron Paul explains why we need to put our money in gold and how we can do that as America slowly drifts towards socialism. I'm fully aware I can't change any one's mind about Dr. Paul on FR but please listen to this video you might agree with some of what he says.

America's Freedom Story told in 30 seconds via this wonderful eCard: http://www.dayspring.com/ecards/subcat.asp?CategoryID=1&SubCategoryID=32&CardID=400706&Widescreen=False&CurPage=1

Congress approves the Declaration of Independence, brilliant scene from John Adams mini-series. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvpZxMfKaU&feature=player_embedded

Oh, Mr. Adams, how we need your spiritual heirs today!

Awesome music video about our founding fathers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg&feature=player_embedded#

Aleksandra's Note: If anyone has ever doubted the power of words and the ability of a writer of them to light fires under men and women, to embolden hearts, to move people to courageous action, and to inspire true change based on noble virtues and principles for the benefit of mankind, they need only learn the story of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense", a mere "pamphlet" that was published anonymously in 1776. It was this little pamphlet that kicked open the door to the American Revolution and the birth of America. To this day, "Common Sense" remains one of the greatest...

WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats are poised to pass a landmark health care bill that could define President Barack Obama's legacy and usher in near-universal medical coverage for the first time in U.S. history. Ahead lie complex talks with the House to reach final legislation in the new year. "We stand on the doorstep of history," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat. "We recognize that, but much more importantly, we stand so close to making so many individual lives better." The vote Thursday on the bill extending health care coverage to some 31 million uninsured Americans brings Obama...

A noted historian debunks the conventional wisdom about America's War of Independence We think we know the Revolutionary War. After all, the American Revolution and the war that accompanied it not only determined the nation we would become but also continue to define who we are. The Declaration of Independence, the Midnight Ride, Valley Forge—the whole glorious chronicle of the colonists’ rebellion against tyranny is in the American DNA. Often it is the Revolution that is a child’s first encounter with history.Yet much of what we know is not entirely true. Perhaps more than any defining moment in American history,...

Just called Burr's office; Sen. Burr intends to vote YES cloture re S. 1776. The bill's passage will help hide the total cost for Obamacare. Yesterday his office stated that would be voting against cloture. This is a big turnaround. Call Sen. Richard Burr (NC) at 202-224-3154 and tell him to vote NO on cloture.

In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams told her of the actions of the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. "The second day of July, 1776 [the actual day the Declaration was signed], will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations,...

WASHINGTON – When Barack Obama called for "all nations" in the world to "come together to build a stronger, global regime" to respond to threats like those posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, WND's Editor and CEO Joseph Farah had heard enough. Farah was stunned once again that no major news agencies in the world even deemed to question the administration about what he meant. It sounded to Farah like Obama was, once again, raising the specter of some form of global governance unaccountable to the American people – a direct threat to U.S. sovereignty and independence....

Flyers:  Available below Range:  Hartford Gun Club Address:  157 South Main St, East Granby, CT 06026 Website:  http://www.hartfordgunclub.com When: April 18-19, 2009 Range Fee:  $10 per shooter per day Camping available: We can pitch tents on the rifle range.  Ten RV/Electric hookups are also available at $10 per night.  There is a clubhouse with restroom and sink. Hotels: Many hotels to choose from near Bradley Intl Airport (Windsor Locks, CT) (~2 miles away)  Holiday Inn, Best Western, Candlewood Suites, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites, LaQuinta Inn, Days Inn, Sheraton, Ramada. (avoid Motel 6!) Directions:    *  Take I-91 to Exit 40...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Largest Marksmanship Event on the Planet World Record Attempt to be Made Locally Contact: [local name and phone number] On April 18 and 19th, the Revolutionary War Veterans Association's "Project Appleseed" rifle marksmanship clinic will be in town at XYZ [location] for a history-making attempt at establishing a world record for the longest cumulative firing line spread over the largest land area in history - a total of 2.5 miles of firing line spread over the North American continent - from California to Florida, Texas to Minnesota, Arizona to Maine. It will be the biggest marksmanship event...

Washington Crosses the Delaware, 1776 Back | EyeWitnesstoHistory.com Washington Crosses the Delaware, 1776 December 1776 was a desperate time for George Washington and the American Revolution. The ragtag Continental Army was encamped along the Pennsylvania shore of the Delaware River exhausted, demoralized and uncertain of its future. The troubles had begun the previous August when British and Hessian troops invaded Long Island routing the colonial forces, forcing a desperate escape to the island of Manhattan. The British followed up their victory with an attack on Manhattan that compelled the Americans to again retreat, this time across the Hudson River...

President-elect Barack Obama is asking the country to look to George Washington's improbable crossing on the Delaware River on Christmas Day as inspiration to get through current tough times. Obama said in a holiday message that Washington and his army "faced impossible odds" as they fought against the British on Dec. 25, 1776, the day they surprised Hessian forces and won victories that gave new momentum and hope to American Independence. Obama used that story to say that "hope endures and that a new birth of peace is always possible" — even as many Americans are serving overseas and others...

In case you missed it; some wonderful stories and pictures about a very special Christmas; Christmas 1776 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2153400/posts

“My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do, and more than could be reasonably expected, but your country is at stake … The present is emphatically the crisis which is to decide our destiny.” Gen. George Washington in an appeal to his troops following the surprise attack on the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, 1776....

Christmas Night, 1776 By Newt Gingrich On Christmas Day, 1776, nearly all thought the Revolution was lost, except for a valiant few who still believed in "The Cause." We owe our liberty today to those valiant few. Led by George Washington, most of his army, dressed in rags and barefoot, faced a winter gale of rain, sleet, ice and snow. This band of patriots braved a midnight river crossing and a nine mile march over frozen roads to win a spectacular victory at Trenton, New Jersey, the following morning. Those were indeed times, as Thomas Paine would write, that "try...

What else is there to do on Fridays besides FReep and listen to TSN?! C'mon, eat, drink, breathe SAVAGE?Savage’s websiteLOTS of links to listen to the Savage radio show here!!!