Free Republic

Full Title: Member of Sophisticated China-Based Hacking Group Indicted for Series of Computer Intrusions, Including 2015 Data Breach of Health Insurer Anthem Inc. Affecting Over 78 Million People FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 9, 2019 A federal grand jury returned an indictment unsealed today in Indianapolis, Indiana, charging a Chinese national as part of an extremely sophisticated hacking group operating in China and targeting large businesses in the United States, including a computer intrusion and data breach of Indianapolis-based health insurer Anthem Inc. (Anthem). Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice DepartmentÂ’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler...

Appleton resident Joseph Scala says he has been selected to sing the national anthem at President Trump's upcoming rally at the Resch Center Saturday. "I'm just incredibly humbled to be there and doubly humbled to be chosen," he told Local 5. Scala says he sings the Star Spangled Banner at about 75 events a year. The youngest of eight children to immigrant parents, he says the national anthem holds special significance for him.

Durham, N.C. -- Is it taking a stand or disrespecting the flag? That's the question some are asking after a Durham 10 year old took a knee during the Pledge of Allegiance at Monday night's City Council meeting, reports CBS Raleigh affiliate WNCN-TV. Video of the meeting shows Liam Holmes drop down. The council invited Cub Scout Pack 451 to lead the pledge. Liam said he is a Cub Scout. "What I did was took a knee against racial discrimination, which is basically when people are mean to other people of different colors," said Liam. His dad, Scott Holmes, said...

Who would have thought that the Super Bowl Halftime show, an American institution watched by more than 100 million people, would become the least wanted gig in music? But thanks to the ongoing controversy concerning the NFL’s stance on a player’s right to protest, brought to the forefront by football’s top conscientious objector Colin Kaepernick, Maroon 5 are learning the precarious stance that the performance represents. According to sources, the band has reached out to more than a half-dozen stars to appear as featured guests during the 13-minute slot midway through Super Bowl LIII, but so far, none have agreed...

Just you and me can agree to disagree That the world is only what the world is made of

After two seasons of declining ratings, viewing of NFL games is up in 2018. There are a few reasons for the uptick in TV viewing, including a lot of high-scoring games and marquee matchups in prime time. In 2017, the ratings for the NFL regular season had dropped by 10% from the 2016 season. It marked the second consecutive year ratings had declined. So far, 11 weeks into the 2018 season, NFL ratings are up by 4%, marking the first ratings increase in three years.

A San Francisco 49ers cheerleader who became a nationwide sensation after she kneeled for the anthem ahead of Thursday's game has been identified. Kayla Morris was captured in a viral photo kneeling in the second row of cheerleaders during the home game vs the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium.

A cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers knelt during the national anthem ahead of Thursday's game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium.

Which NFL Teams have Kneelers and how are they doing? Thank you.

Beto O’Rourke’s response to a question during a Houston town hall meeting this past summer lasted only four minutes. But for some Democrats it said everything. It was authentic. In an exchange that quickly went viral, the Democrat congressman and Senate hopeful was asked whether he found NFL players who knelt during the national anthem to be disrespectful. A passionate O’Rourke told the room of Texans, not necessarily a sympathetic crowd, that he could “think of nothing more American than to peacefully stand up, or take a knee, for your rights.” Clips of his answer were viewed millions of times...

We’re starting to see some angry at the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh calling for female performers to take a knee when singing the national anthem. Here’s actress Molly Ringwald, for example: But that would be a big mistake warns Talbert Swan. Here he is warning “white women” that taking a knee “is hijacking a movement you took no risks for”:

A Louisiana mayor reportedly banned his city’s recreation programs from purchasing Nike products in the wake of an ad campaign featuring former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Mayor Ben Zahn, of Kenner, signed a memo last week that states that “[u]nder no circumstances” can any Nike apparel or equipment be “purchased for use or delivery” at any recreation facilities in the city. “Effective immediately all purchases made by any booster club operating at any Kenner Recreation Facility for wearing apparel, shoes, athletic equipment and/or any athletic product must be approved by the Director of Parks and Recreation, or his...

Cowardly: NFL officials have decided to cave on its newly-implemented — then suspended — rule that prohibits players from protesting during the playing of the National Anthem either by kneeling or sitting on the bench. So in other words, the new policy will be no policy at all, meaning players are going to be free to continue to disrespect the American flag, the military, and the country in general during opening ceremonies.

On CNN's New Day Saturday, right-leaning CNN contributor Ben Ferguson again demonstrated why he is one of the few bright spots on the otherwise liberal news network as he explained to apparently befuddled host Christi Paul why it is that many Americans are offended by the NFL kneeling campaign inspired by ex-player Colin Kaepernick. During the segment in which the CNN host accepted the liberal spin that kneeling during the National Anthem had a "very valid" aim of drawing attention to "systemic racism and police brutality," at one point she seemed confused about why people perceive the protests negatively as...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Colin Kaepernick sparked a nationwide debate when he took a knee during the National Anthem ahead of NFL games in protest of police brutality, but a store in a Colorado Springs mall is making a stand against Nike after the company picked Kaepernick as the face of its newest ad campaign. Prime Time Sports in the Chapel Hills Mall has a large sign festooned on the window saying "All Nike 1/2 Price" and "Still Choosing to Stand, Just Doing It." Prime Time Sports has been owned by Stephen Martin for 21 years, and he realizes he...

Nike unveiled a new ad on Monday for the 30th anniversary of its "Just Do It" campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick, who has remained unsigned by an NFL team for nearly two years. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback tweeted an image from the new campaign featuring a close-up photo of his face, accompanied by the words "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything." Kaepernick became the first player to take a knee during the national anthem during the 2016 NFL season as part of an effort to protest social injustice. He became a free agent at the end...

Actress Kate Mara has ties to the NFL, being the great-granddaughter of Giants founder Tim Mara and Steelers founder Art Rooney. Her uncle is also Giants' co-owner John Mara, which is why she was asked about the NFL's new anthem policy that John Mara helped form in an interview with Variety. "I believe everybody has a constitutional right to stand, or kneel or sit during the national anthem," she said. The new policy states that any players that are not on the field or standing for the national anthem on gameday will be fined by the NFL, and can be...

Once again, the news -- national, local, TV, newspaper, radio -- is totally devoid of any mention of NFL protests during yesterday's games. As I pointed out last week, this is overt propaganda by omission. The drivebys understand painful reality. If they publicize such sorry behaviour, it undermines political correctness. And it means fewer votes for progressives. I defy any Freeper to come up with any story, pro or con, regarding player protests yesterday. Not there.

...NBA players haven't been asked to justify their action/inaction on political issues, because unlike in other leagues, NBA players are allowed, if not encouraged to protest social inequalities, so long as it doesn't cause hindrance within the league. But Ben McLemore is not of the same opinion. His thoughts align more closely with those shared by NFL owners: "You should always represent our nation," Ben says. "That's how I feel. I think you always should."

President Trump on Friday ripped ESPN and CBS for saying they won’t air the national anthem before professional football games, asking, “What the hell is the NFL doing?" The president, speaking during a fundraiser in Columbus for the Ohio Republican Party, said CBS and ESPN won’t air the anthem because they are trying to avoid “controversy.” “What are they doing?” Trump asked. “Do they not have a clue? It’s hurt them badly too. It’s continuing. They think they’re doing something smart by not broadcasting the national anthem.” He added, “That’s CBS and ESPN folks. Enjoy your television.” ESPN president Jimmy...