Free Republic

For the third time in less than a decade, I find myself back in my adopted hometown of Cebu City, Philippines. While the specific purpose of my visit is business related, the timing of this venture was well-received as I found myself in need of a break from the divisive nature of the current political climate back in the States. My respite has been a busy one, one of professional demands mixed in with a bit of sightseeing and pleasure-seeking,  but what has struck me most about being back in the Philippines is a visual and emotional rediscovery of the...

In just the past two days, so-called "respected" members of the liberal media have belied their utter intellectual impotence by once again resorting to name calling of their conservative opposition by referring to them as "clowns" and "zombies" in the press. Margaret Carlson, who chose a pithy title for her Bloomberg View piece on GOP Presidential candidates, Can Republicans Keep the Clown Posse Out, only to be outdone by Salon's Heather Digby Parton who bemoaned that the right simply wont acquiesce social issues to the left in her hit-piece Rise of the GOP's Culture-War Zombies. While these are headlines one might expect from...

In 1965 radio legend Paul Harvey first aired his now-famous piece entitled If I were the Devil which examined the steps the Great Deceiver would likely take in order to win the battle for man's soul. The agenda listed matched (frighteningly) the realities of an American culture  which has gone from a God-fearing and industrious nation into one ripe for misery and plunder.  Like so many Progressives, Earl Ofari Hutchinson used the lead-up to the midterm elections to warn in the "Huffington Post" that A Republican Wave Will Further Sink Black America and throughout the year the Democratic Party has made ceaseless attempts to paint conservatives...

In the midst of the turmoil in Baltimore this week, a succinct assessment of the needs of young black men living in liberal inner-city strongholds was delivered by a self-identified gang member, who made it clear that jobs are what these young men need, his call almost immediately rebuffed by a leading Democrat lawmaker. The press conference was arranged by City Councilman President Bernard C. "Jack" Young and other city "leaders" at the Baltimore City Hall as a call to other local youth to end the rioting plaguing the city all week in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray. Back...

In a Gravis Marketing poll released today Jeb Bush leads fellow GOP rivals among Republican Party Iowa voters while Senator Marco Rubio and former brain surgeon Ben Carson have increased their popularity while Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has taken the largest fall. In a telephone survey conducted April 13, former Governor Bush (R-FL) led with 16 percent of voters surveyed with Walker coming in at 13 percent, followed closely by fellow Floridian Rubio at 12 percent. The poll was conducted the same day as Rubio's announcement of his 2016 Presidential bid. The biggest gainers were Marco Rubio, who improved five points from his...

As the 2016 Presidential campaign heats up, competition among the candidates has spilled over into the fast-food industry, with eateries across the country wooing White House hopefuls in much the same way politicians seek out votes. Given the notoriety of Hillary Clinton's recent stop at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in Ohio, Los Angeles-based Pink Taco is vying to become the official fast-food choice of the former First Lady's 2016 campaign. "When we heard Hillary Clinton liked Mexican food, we were excited to have her as part of the Pink Taco team," stated a company spokesman in a recent press conference. Noting that their...

As one begins to dissect and find meaning in Hillary Clinton's campaign announcement video, Getting Started, once striking message is that she sends to parents whose kids are trapped in failing schools, move to a better area. While much of the video is merely a fluff piece designed to pander to every conceivable demographic her campaign can target in its 2 minutes and 18 seconds, there are a few striking observations, none as disturbing as her apparent solution for addressing the problems of under-performing public schools. After introducing us to a woman whose home-grown tomatoes are apparently "legendary" the Hillary campaign...

Having served overseas in three deployments during his tenure for the United Stated Army, SFC Monte Kaiser assumed his days of fighting were over. Tragic events in the past month however have charged a Desert Storm veteran with the task of preparing for what could be his greatest mission, where love and his sense of honor will be his primary weapons. Having lost his fiancee, Tanaya Goins, in a senseless and devastating tragedy, he need carry on without her for the sake of the son she left behind, and fulfill an obligation he takes on without reserve. Shortly after graduating from high...

The past two weeks have once again seen America devolve into divisive and unproductive squabbling over the issue of gay marriage, specifically involving the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). While much of the rhetoric flying back and forth from both sides has been unproductive and, as are most debates of our modern era, filled with hyperbolic rhetoric designed to speak to our relative choirs, rather than to bring us all to a better understanding and domestic tranquility. Although the effort may prove unfruitful, in the ever-hopeful spirit of provoking thought and breaking down barriers, this conservative directs this open letter...

Within moments after the US Army announced that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl would be charged for desertion and misbehaving with the enemy, his legion of far-left fans and fellow traitors took to Twitter Wednesday, starting the #BergdahlPardon topic to express their sympathy and support. The social media thread was apparently started by former Bazos County (Tx) Arts Council Director David Romei, a shady character who is no stranger to controversy himself, having been convicted of property theft for which he was jailed and ordered to pay back $268,000 in restitution. Although #BergdahlPardon is calling for the pardon of Bergdahl, who allegedly deserted his unit...

As two Missouri Police Officers were shot early Thursday morning in Ferguson, amateur video captured the gleeful celebration of a (presumably white) leftist provocateur who bellowed just seconds following the shooting "acknowledgement 9 months ago would have kept that from happening." While Americans both black and white have reacted with horror at the violence in Ferguson, the pseudo-Bolshevik whose voice was captured on tape seemed to revel in the pain suffered to the two law enforcement personnel. KerryPicket_viaYouTubeA 32-year-old Webster Groves police officer was shot in the face and a 41-year-old St. Louis County police officer was shot in the shoulder...

February was crucial month for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, but in surviving his national baptism by fire he has solidified his place as a force to be reckoned with for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination. In being thrust in the spotlight by a less-than-friendly media, his detractors on both the right and left hoped he would prove to be "not ready for prime-time" and be chased from the race before it really began. As we head into March, Walker is not only still on his feet, but may be building a wave of momentum that can carry him not only to...

In an emotion filled interview at the conclusion of Sunday's NFC Championship Game, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson perfectly reflected the powerful optimism that faith in God brings.  For a young man headed to his second Super Bowl and on top of the NFL in only his third season, he also displayed the refreshing humility of a true leader of men and follower of Christ. His humble optimism is a key component to a faith in God which is often derided or dismissed by the non-believer, and far too often forgotten or taken for granted by the believer. For Russell Wilson and entire Seattle Seahawks team, much...

Commanders of the Russian-backed rebels in Ukraine declared victory in their assault on the Sergei Prokofiev International Airport in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, after intense battles. Despite denials from Moscow, international journalists have chronicled the fighting, indicating that the Russians have secured control of the airport, with Ukrainian forces holding onto only small pockets of ground within the terminal. The first major engagement since the so-called "cease-fire" of September 5 was staged by Russian forces, despite warnings from Germany that such action would bring on major sanctions which on the already struggling Russian economy.  Aleksandr Zakharchenko, leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, vowed Thursday to...

An anti-terrorism raid targeting groups linked to ISIS was captured on amateur video camera in the eastern Belgian city of Verviers Thursday. Authorities are reporting that two people have been killed in connection with an investigation into a terrorist group planning attacks throughout Belgium. The assault against the Islamo-Fascist group took place on Rue de la Colline in Verviers, about 70 miles from Brussels. Authorities indicate further investigations are being made against various groups connected to Sharia Islam radical groups. According to a Belgian anti-terrorist operative, the Syrian group was trained and financed by ISIS, with instructions to carry out...

With a full year to go before the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries, the Republican Party 2016 Presidential field is taking shape and Dignitas News Service handicaps the futures odds for the nomination and VP slots. While the Democrats wait to see if anointed candidate Hillary (vacated hyphen) Clinton will indeed be their lone contender, the GOP field is shaping up to provide a true horse race in the quest to take the Oval Office. While not dismissing the possibility that an heretofore unknown, minor candidate may make their presence felt, we have limited the field to established and...

Russian military officials announced today that machine gun wielding "battle bots" have entered the final stage of testing, ushering in a dangerous new era of warfare. While initial plans for the "Terminator-like" death robots are initially slated to guard intercontinental missile sites as early as 2020, military experts predict we could see non-human infantry as a primary weapon to be used in ground assaults and defense in the not too distant future. Major Dmitry Andreyev of Russia's Defense Ministry Strategic Missile Force made the announcement Friday that testing of the battle bots was entering its final stages. "Trials will be focused...

In a new Washington Post poll released today, American Latinos have a more favorable view of the GOP, besting the Democratic Party among the nations fastest growing demographic group. In a survey conducted between December 11-14, 52 percent of Hispanic Americans view the Republican Party favorably, while 37 percent have an unfavorable view of the Party of Lincoln. In contrast, 40 percent of Latinos have an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party, while 48 percent rate them favorable. The poll suggests that large numbers of Americans, of all demographic groups, are moving toward the right, as the GOP holds a...

Two major law enforcement stings targeting Southern California gangs have rocked the Los Angeles and San Diego underworld. The FBI conducted raids against two major gangs this week, arresting more than 50 gangsters and associates involved in numerous rackets, from drug trafficking to underage prostitution. Members of East LA's Big Hazard gang were rounded up Wednesday morning, while Federal officials in San Diego Thursday indicted 22 members of the Tycoons syndicate, involving members from various local street gangs. Big Hazard, aka Hazard Grande, East Los Angeles In a massive undertaking dubbed Operation Resident Evil, more than 800 law enforcement officials from various...

In the wake of the Grand Jury decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson we have been witness not just the resulting protests and riots, but an outpouring of self-righteous reflection from the political left. In an attempt to distance itself from their own culpability in setting Ferguson ablaze, white and black liberals alike have dispensed a flood of crocodile tears for Michael Brown and the "social injustice" that they themselves require in order to validate their own perceived goodness. Not since their sudden turn during the Iraq War has the hypocrisy of Progressive-liberalism been so perfectly highlighted. Forget for a moment...