Free Republic

If you want to discover how a perfectly healthy pink state turns into a lasting blue one, look no further than Illinois.For years, Republicans often won statewide and federal elective offices. But thanks to a bungling party "leadership" way out of touch with its constituency, Tuesday's primary election to select a GOP nominee for governor presents voters with indecision, disappointment or disgust. Among the candidates, "I don't know" has made a strong showing.We columnists have raked this field of candidates to the point of tedium, but why not? Why should Republicans be forced to choose among marginal, inexperienced, unqualified or...

Tomorrow is primary day in Illinois and there are three races to watch. The first, and biggest, is the GOP primary for Governor which has essentially boiled down to a two person race between moderate Judy Baar Topinka and conservative Jim Oberweis.Topinka is the only Republican currently holding statewide office (Treasurer) which demonstrates her appeal in a state where the GOP has basically been reduced to a smoldering heap of ruins. However, Topinka's longevity also has a downside; she has ties to the lowly-regarded Illinois political establishment and she served with former Governor George Ryan - who sits awaiting...

At the end of a political campaign it's not uncommon for a candidate to grasp at straws, but Jim Oberweis literally proposed drawing straws to decide who should stay in the race for the Republican nomination for governor, two of his rivals said Saturday. On the Democratic side, Ald. Richard Mell (33rd) extended his feud with his son-in-law, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, by featuring primary challenger Edwin Eisendrath at a bingo game of senior citizens in the ward. But Mell stopped short of a formal endorsement. As the GOP candidates for governor fanned out across the state on the final...

Hopefuls put politics on parade By Mickey Ciokajlo and Ofelia Casillas, Tribune staff reporters. Tribune staff reporters Liam Ford, James Kimberly, Carlos Sadovi and John Chase contributed to this report Published March 12, 2006 ......During the session at the Rose Garden restaurant, Oberweis received the endorsement of conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly, founder and president of the Eagle Forum. "You were one of my heroes," Oberweis told Schlafly, adding that her 1964 book "A Choice Not an Echo" inspired him. The book, used that year to promote Barry Goldwater's presidential run, argued that grass-roots elements of the Republican Party must stand...

Topinka 36% Oberweis 25% Gidwitz 19% Brady 11% Martin 1% Undecided 8% Oberweis closing on Topinka, poll finds SPRINGFIELD BUREAU 03/12/2006 Judy Topinka continues to pose the most serious threat to Gov. Blagojevich, still holding him under 50% support among likely voters, according to a new Post-Dispatch/KMOV-TV poll. But two weeks out from the GOP primary for governor, Topinka herself faces a growing threat from Jim Oberweis. Oberweis, a wealthy dairy owner, has made substantial gains against her in the past month. The poll of 800 likely voters was conducted Monday through Wednesday by Research 2000. The poll has a...

To: State Desk, Legal Reporter Contact: Richard Pearson of Illinois State Rifle Association, 815-635-3198 Web: http://www.isra.org SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA): The very foundations of the gun control movement were rocked today by the results of a survey taken by the National Association of Chiefs of Police (NACOP). In a nutshell, the survey shows that the nation's top law enforcement officers believe that average citizens can be trusted to responsibly own firearms; that criminals ignore gun control laws; and that concealed carry laws reduce crime. These...

Contact: Peter Hamm of the Brady Campaign, 202-898-0792 SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A bill that would ban military-style semiautomatic weapons in Illinois, HB 2414, awaits action in the Illinois Legislature. Law enforcement leaders, crime victims, and the Governor are calling for its passage. Today, the gun lobby said it would be economically costly. "The gun lobby's leaders said today in Springfield that banning assault weapons would injure Illinois economically to the tune of $150 million and cost the state 750 jobs," said Jennifer Bishop, Illinois State director of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "Are Illinois...

Patriots are only 1-3 against Denver since start of 2001 season Print By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News January 13, 2006 ENGLEWOOD - Four times, five years. The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots are no strangers to all of this, regular stops along the way where everybody knows their names. "You would think that they were in our division," Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest said. Saturday will be the fifth edition in the set, an AFC divisional-round game with the winner staying alive on the road to the Super Bowl. And while the Patriots routinely have been been described as...

Pats won big tonight over Jacksonville. Can I hear three-peat????

I found out today that ATFE has reinstated the ability of Nevada CCW holders to use their Nevada CCW permits as an alternative to the $25 Point Of Sale contact in filling out the form 4473 required with each firearm sale. This is GREAT news, and a testament to the power of gun owner activism. Initially the Nevada Chief's and Sheriff's Association thought they could simply shrug off the results of several of their members failing an ATFE audit. Their failing the audit resulted in ATFE announcing that Nevada CCW's would no longer be accepted in lieu of a requirement...

Conservative Elgin state Sen. Steve Rauschenberger will drop out of the Republican governor’s race today to become the running mate of moderate Ron Gidwitz in an attempt to salvage both men’s statewide hopes next year. The move to form a balanced ideological team comes a week after state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka entered the GOP governor primary amid a state party poll that showed her with a wide lead with many voters still undecided. While Gidwitz and Rauschenberger had been talking prior to that, the meeting helped speed up their decision to join forces after perceiving the party establishment was...

Tom Brady has led the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles in the past four seasons. SI.com's Peter King says that's only part of the reason why Brady is SI's 2005 Sportsman of the Year.

Gun Plan Considers Defense By Ken Raymond The Oklahoman Some say the proposal isn't needed in our state. The National Rifle Association is behind a nationwide push for legislation broadening the definition of self-defense -- but some Oklahomans say it would change little here. "I think the statutes are pretty clear already on what you can and can't do," said Doug Friesen, an Oklahoma City attorney who has taught conceal-carry classes for nearly a decade. The proposed legislation is based on Florida's new "Stand Your Ground" law, which took effect Oct. 1. That law, in part: Authorizes residents to use...

http://www.gunowners.org/a111705.htm URGENT!!! URGENT!!! -- House to Vote Soon On Granting FBI Unlimited Access To Gun Sales Records Gun Owners of America 8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102 Springfield, VA 22151 (703)321-8585 Thursday, November 17, 2005 Registration leads to confiscation. We all know that, and that is why GOA has vehemently opposed all attempts by government forces to compile or retain information pertaining to lawful firearms purchases. But in the name of fighting terrorism, the United States Congress is getting ready to trample on the rights of law-abiding Americans, no matter what the Constitution (and current law) happens to say. The House...

HOW SAMUEL ALITO TOOK A NO-BRAINER CASE AND STEPPED WAY, WAY OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM For Immediate Release: 11-01-2005 Washington, D.C. - In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the McClure-Volkmer Act, which severely weakened federal gun laws, but had one redeeming provision: it banned transfer and possession of machine guns not legally owned when the Act went into effect. Since then, criminals have repeatedly tried to escape culpability for illegal possession of machine guns by arguing that the ban is unconstitutional. The courts have unanimously upheld the law as constitutional; every Circuit Court of Appeal to consider the issue has...

"MACHINE GUN SAMMY," A PERFECT HALLOWEEN PICK For Immediate Release: 10-31-2005 Contact Communications: (202) 898-0792 Washington, D.C. - How could it have gone in any other direction, from a White House that just gave blanket immunity to the gun industry, which refuses to bar terrorists from buying guns, that broke a campaign promise and put Uzis and AK-47s back on America’s city streets, and insisted that records of gun purchases be destroyed before the sun sets on them twice? It had to be a Supreme Court pick that favors legal machine guns. In 1996, Judge Samuel Alito was the sole...

LAST WEEK Congress protected gun makers from frivolous lawsuits designed not to hold the manufacturers responsible for illegal behavior, but to shut them down for perfectly legal behavior. The bill won bipartisan approval because in the end most senators and representatives could see that it was needed to protect a beneficial industry under attack from irrational and opportunistic zealots. Trial lawyers, activists and municipal politicians have scapegoated the gun industry, ludicrously blaming it when criminals illegally used its products.

GUNS are dangerous. But myths are dangerous, too. Myths about guns are very dangerous, because they lead to bad laws. And bad laws kill people. "Don't tell me this bill will not make a difference," said President Clinton, who signed the Brady Bill into law. Sorry. Even the federal government can't say it has made a difference. The Centers for Disease Control did an extensive review of various types of gun control: waiting periods, registration and licensing, and bans on certain firearms. It found that the idea that gun control laws have reduced violent crime is simply a myth.

NRAnews.com blogger/radio host Cam Edwards wondered why CBS News allowed 60 Minutes host Mike Wallace to appear at an anti-gun Brady Center event late last month. Edwards describes the appearance: That's Mike Wallace two weeks ago at a Brady Center fundraiser in Washington, D.C. At the event, held at the French Embassy, Wallace played a clip of his "60 Minutes" interview with then-NRA president Charlton Heston, whom he described as the "self-righteous enemy of the Jim and Sarah Brady Bunch". Afterwards, he mocked Heston by holding his hands above his head (as if holding a rifle), and said "in my...

Fri 30 Sep 2005 printer friendly    email articleFlorida tourists warned that locals could shoot them ALASTAIR JAMIESON IT IS Britain's most popular transatlantic holiday destination, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors a year with its sun-drenched beaches, theme parks and wildlife. But Florida's £30 billion tourism industry is under threat from a campaign launched by a gun-control group which warns visitors they could be killed. A series of alarming adverts, to be placed in British newspapers, warns potential tourists about a new law allowing gun owners to shoot anyone they believe threatens their safety. It means thousands of British...

Kick off is in 15 minutes!! Woohooo!!! The NFL is here!!!!

Majority of the US Senate in "Unholy Alliance" with NRA Senate takes away rights of victims of gun violence Despite the efforts of our Senate allies, a majority in the United States Senate, eager to accommodate the wishes of NRA and gun corporation lobbyists, voted today after a seven year fight to strip the legal rights of innocent victims of gun violence and give sweeping legal immunity to reckless and unsavory gun dealers. Why would they do such a thing? Well, as Senator Edward Kennedy put it in his speech on the floor of the Senate: "An obvious answer is...

<p>WASHINGTON - The nation's gun lobby is close to realizing a long-sought goal of protecting firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held legally responsible for violent crimes committed with their handguns and automatic weapons.</p> <p>Supporters believe they have the votes in the Senate to pass as early as today a bill making it virtually impossible for victims of gun violence to file civil suits against the industry -- a testimony to the political clout of gun manufacturers, which have become increasingly vulnerable to civil lawsuits in the District and several states. Twelve Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.), are joining with the Republicans to support the legislation.</p>

I like to remind my Republican friends that the roots of the Brady Campaign are Republican to the core. I do it just to get them backpedaling after some dig about Democrats hating guns. I may also remind them that the original 1993 Assault Weapon Ban amendment could not have passed without Republican votes because eight Democrats voted NO and two of the eight were Nevada Senators Reid and Bryan. I generally think the best of everybody, so I had counted organizations like the Brady Campaign as sincere but illogical and misguided. Gun control folks are well intentioned but wrong....

Dear Violence Policy Center Action Network Member: This Sunday at 7:00 PM Eastern time, NBC News' Dateline is scheduled to run a story on the threat posed by 50 caliber sniper rifles. The VPC worked closely with Dateline on the piece. Also, yesterday by a vote of 278 to 149 the U.S. House of Representatives defeated Representative Jim Moran's (D-VA) amendment to ban the export of 50 caliber sniper rifles. Thank you to everyone who called their Member of Congress this week in support of the Moran amendment. To see how your Representative voted, click here: http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-house-rollcall-super-rifles,0,3424527.story While disappointed in...

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. -- This is my AFC prediction column, and you're probably wondering: What is that weird dateline doing on the AFC prediction column? Well, I came to Wisconsin over the weekend to take the temperature of Brett Favre and gauge his readiness for a 14th season in Green Bay, so it just happens to be where I am right now. Favre interlude: The Packers QB holds an annual benefit softball game in this little suburb of Appleton, Wis., a 30-minute drive from Lambeau Field. He does it here because this is where the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the Midwest...

NEWS RELEASE CCRKBA TELLS BRADY CAMPAIGN TO 'STOP LYING AND ADMIT YOU SUPPORT GUN BANS' BELLEVUE, WA Once again, the so-called Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is out of the closet in support of yet another handgun ban, this one in Washington, D.C., where legislation has been introduced to restore to law-abiding citizens the right of self-defense. The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) today challenged the Brady group to publicly acknowledge that it consistently supports bans on the private ownership of firearms, despite claims to the contrary. "The proposal that the Brady Bunch...

Brady inks extension 5/7/2005, 8:20 p.m. ET By JIMMY GOLEN The Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — The New England Patriots have signed quarterback Tom Brady to a six-year extension worth $60 million, a deal that for the first time brings the two-time Super Bowl MVP's salary in line with his accomplishments. The extension was reported by ESPN and confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday night by a football source, speaking on condition of anonymity. Brady had two years left on his previous contract that had a total value of about $30 million — less than Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning...

A gun-control group and its political action committee have paid a $12,000 fine to settle a campaign finance case from the 2000 election. At issue were ads and endorsements by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and its Brady Voter Education Fund involving various Democratic candidates in 2000. The American Conservative Union, in a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, accused the Brady organizations of making illegal corporate contributions to the Democrats' campaigns. The FEC disclosed the outcome of the case Thursday. ===== The Brady Campaign is named after Jim Brady and his wife Sarah. Jim Brady, press secretary...

IF IT QUACKS LIKE A DUCK... The Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, reported on May 2, on an upstart "centrist" advocacy (read: lobbying) group known as "Third Way." The group's co-founders, Matt Bennett, Jonathan Cowan, and Jim Kessler should be familiar to readers of the Grassroots Alert. All previously worked for "Americans For Gun Safety" (AGS), an organization that was founded in 2000 under the guise that it too would be a "centrist" group on gun issues. A little more background on each may give those who believe they are centrists a bit of pause (at least on gun issues)....

MIAMI -- It is either a Wild West revival, a return to the days of "shoot first and ask questions later," or a triumph for the "Castle Doctrine" -- the notion that enemies invade personal space at their peril. Such dueling rhetoric marked the debate over a measure that Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) could sign as early as Tuesday. The legislation passed so emphatically that National Rifle Association backers plan to take it to statehouses across the nation, including Virginia's, over the next year. The law will let Floridians "meet force with force," erasing the "duty to retreat" when...

A GUN-control group has called for a total ban on semi-automatic handguns to prevent them falling into criminal hands with deadly consequences. Speaking at the launch of a new national anti-handgun advertising campaign, National Coalition for Gun Control chair Sam Lee said the future looked bleak in relation to guns. "What we are going to see in the future is more high-powered handguns on the streets because gun manufacturers are developing what are called quick-draws, which means they can be quickly grabbed and aimed at someone," Ms Lee said. The campaign launch comes just days after the fatal drive-by shootings...

Phone Freep this one! Sarah must not get a chance at this much power.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alert from the Brady Bunch follows: "ACTION ALERT: CALL YOUR SENATORS TO PROTECT GUN VICTIMS' RIGHTS Please contact your U.S. Senators on Wednesday, April 6, 2005, and ask them to Oppose S. 397. The Senate could vote on the gun lobby's immunity bill very soon. We need your help! STEP 1: MAKE YOUR CALLS, Wednesday morning, between 9am and 1pm ET. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. (Or click here to get your Senators’ direct numbers.) STEP 2: TELL YOUR SENATORS TO OPPOSE S. 397. STEP...

AMERICA'S GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC: WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS MUST STOP FEEDING CULTURE OF DEATH In just the latest chapter, there are 10 dead in Greater Minnesota, and the toll from multiple shootings this year is going through the roof. For Immediate Release: 03-22-2005 Washington D.C. - The bloody attack on a Native American high school yesterday can't be viewed as an isolated incident. Though the motivations of the young killer are as of yet unknown, his rampage becomes another entry on a growing list of news reports on horrific gun violence and reports on the ready availability of ever-deadlier weapons. "In...

KAPOLEI, Hawaii (Feb. 9, 2005) -- Donovan McNabb has no apologies for his Super Bowl performance. He won't allow his teammates to make excuses, either. . . . The Eagles' offensive struggles were caused only by the Patriots and the tension of a Super Bowl, not a phantom sickness.

Brady, unfazed by pressure, picks apart Pro Bowlers JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - The Eagles figured they could use man coverage on the New England receivers and blitz quarterback Tom Brady from every angle. With three Pro Bowl selections — cornerback Lito Sheppard and safeties Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis — Philadelphia thought its defense matched up well with New England's offense. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is regarded as one of the most creative in his profession. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Patriots pick up the blitz as well as anyone. Quarterback Tom Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Deion...

<p>Pre game has begun in the Eastern and Central time zones.</p>

Okay. I'm watching SC at the local tire center while they rotate and balance. The anchor-chik comes on with the following story build-up[paraphrase]: "Tom Brady's 94-y-o grandmother has been a popular member of her retirement home. 2 out of the last 3 years, she has thrown a SuperBowl party of great proportions because her grandson has been the starting QB. This year it might be a bit difficult for her to be popular because... she died last week. Coffee every where!

There’s no substitute for experience, apparently. At least in the NFL’s conference championship games. For the third time in four years, New England is headed for the Super Bowl behind Tom Brady. The Patriots defeated Pittsburgh, whose quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, played like the rookie he is. In the NFC, the fourth time proved the charm for Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb, outplaying Atlanta’s Michael Vick, who was in his first conference title game. Now, Brady, already a two-time Super Bowl MVP, will try for a hat trick. And this may surprise you: Despite Brady’s record of success, he won’t be the most...

Okay FR football fans, this is it. Championship Sunday. We have the Patriots in the Steel City to battle the Steelers. We have the QB/RB/HB/All-around-fast-guy Michael Vick and his Falcons taking on the Chuncky Soup eating Donovan McNabb (his mama made him eat it) and the Eagles in Philly. Offensive octane in Philly, defensive titans in Pittsburgh. Sounds like it's gonna be a fun day today! Post your picks. Who do you think will win and why? Here are my choices, so take a peek and tell me where I'm wrong if I'm wrong. New England is -3 in Pittsburgh....

FOXBORO, Mass. - One quarterback played up to expectations in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game because all the Patriots ever ask Tom Brady to do is win. As the seasons roll on and each trip to Foxboro turns into Groundhog Day for Peyton Manning, it appears that Manning will be Dan Marino to Brady's Joe Montana. Marino had the records. Montana had the rings. By the time it all ends in Jacksonville next month, Brady may be tied with Joe Cool as a three-time Super Bowl MVP. He may have only thrown for 144 yards in Sunday's victory but the...

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The goal of gun control is not to actually control guns and make the world a safer place, but to control people. It is not as important for you can pass a criminal background check so much as it is that you feel obligated to ask the state for permission to buy a gun. Liberals know gun control laws will not stop criminals, but it will erode the sense of independence and self reliance of regular people until they feel that they can do nothing that does not meet government approval.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Dec. 26, 2004) -- Tom Brady was back to his old self. So were his New England Patriots. New England dominated division rival New York, winning 23-7 to clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Jets (10-5), meanwhile, must win their finale at St. Louis next week to be assured of making the AFC playoffs as a wild card. The Patriots (13-2), coming off an embarrassing 29-28 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, looked completely different from the squad that had some critics questioning whether the Super Bowl champions had finally lost a step....

Fairfax, VA— In a true testament to his anti-gun record, today John Kerry earned the endorsement from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (formerly Handgun Control, Inc.). For once, the Brady Campaign agrees with NRA – John Kerry would push for more gun control as President of the United States. “If there was any doubt about John Kerry’s true position on the Second Amendment, his endorsement from the Brady Campaign should clear the air,” said Chris W. Cox, the National Rifle Association’s chief lobbyist. “John Kerry stands with other gun banners like Dianne Feinstein, Ted Kennedy, and Chuck Schumer...

Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Michael Barnes, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March: “During the 2000 presidential campaign, the National Rifle Association’s Kayne Robinson said that if George W. Bush was elected President, the NRA would be working out of the White House. “In test after test, Robinson’s prediction has turned out to be true. The NRA has gotten everything it asked for from President Bush. Every time he’s had a choice, he has sided with the gun lobby and against law enforcement and the victims of...

It is interesting to learn that I am legal again. Not that I was really concerned about it, that is. The old law was just slightly aggravating to me. You see, I am the proud owner of an old M1 Carbine. As rifles go, it's just a small 30 caliber semi-automatic. It is not really great for most types of hunting, but very easy to carry and handle. Mine was especially easy to carry and handle because I changed the stock, and a few other little things, to improve its portability and quick shooting ability in the field. The problem...

Dear President Bush: I cannot begin to express my disappointment in your decision to let the Assault Weapons Ban expire yesterday. Four years ago you said you supported renewal of the assault weapons ban, though you made it clear that you were generally opposed to reasonable gun violence prevention laws. I was very happy to hear you say it then, because it was a sensible position, and one long supported by such conservative leaders as Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater. As a lifelong Republican, it gave me hope that my party would move away from a knee-jerk tendency to oppose...

YES! WE HAVE OUR FREEDOM BACK!