Free Republic

The current coronavirus disease, Covid-19, has been called a once-in-a-century pandemic. But it may also be a once-in-a-century evidence fiasco. At a time when everyone needs better information, from disease modelers and governments to people quarantined or just social distancing, we lack reliable evidence on how many people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or who continue to become infected. Better information is needed to guide decisions and actions of monumental significance and to monitor their impact.Draconian countermeasures have been adopted in many countries. If the pandemic dissipates — either on its own or because of these measures — short-term extreme...

Cannabis lovers will be exempted from a public smoking ban in the Netherlands from next week onwards. Marijuana is technically illegal in the Netherlands but has been decriminalised, with small quantities sold in coffee shops, making them big attractions for tourists. Cutting the Cannabis with tobacco which some smokers do, could land the shop owners a fine of up to 2,400 euros (3,778 US dollars). Not a problem, says coffee shop owner Arjan Roskam whose marijuana strains have won 31 Cannabis Cup prizes over the years and who count Hollywood celebrities, members of Europe's royal families, lawyers, judges and police...

This is a new one for me. Special rates, based on one's sexual orientation? And, lest ye think that the link to the discount popup is accessible from other "non-gay" sections of the website, check out the http address of the popup: http://www.alaskaair.com/as/alaska/gaytravel/LGBT-NYC-Sale.asp I wouldn't lose any sleep waiting for special "straight rates", though.

By WANDA J. DeMARZO, BREANNE GILPATRICK AND MARTIN MERZER AP PHOTO Police are looking for Michael Mazza, the man they believe shot a BSO deputy Wednesday morning. » More Photos Document | Mazza's criminal record Law enforcement officers have found the jail transport van involved in Wednesday's shooting of a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy, but the suspect remains at large, is armed and may be accompanied by one or more co-conspirators, police said.All 283 public schools and charter schools in Broward County are on lockdown. Parents were advised to stay away from the schools until the situation is resolved.The van...

Kathy Saile named USCCB domestic policy director (USCCB) WIN (‘Pro-choice. Democrat. Women. Network.’) 2006 WODW dinner party no. 14: Kathy Saile was 1 of 2 speakers at ‘Did the Left Cede Heaven? The Intersection of Faith and Politics.’ ‘Throughout American history religion has shaped US politics. Recent history has focused on the efforts and effects of Conservative Christians in the Republican Party, but the Left continues to be a party of people of faith. This dinner will highlight the way liberal people of faith organize to further progressive causes.’ (WIN) About WIN: ‘WIN is Washington’s premier professional, political, and...

Traditional Mass at Holy Trinity September 14, 2007 This Announcement was Emailed to The Remnant on September 8th  Fr. John Connolly, Rector of Holy Cross Cathedral (recently named administrator of Holy Trinity) has officially given his consent to the request that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in its Extraordinary Form (Tridentine) will be celebrated at Holy Trinity (German) Church in Boston's South End. The Mass will be offered in thanksgiving for Pope Benedict XVI's recent motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum. The Mass will be celebrated by Rev. William McInnis, SJ on Friday, 14 September  2007 at 6:30pm. All parishioners...

I have a favor to ask those of you who did NOT grow up with the older form of Mass.  If sometime along the way you decided to check out the older form of Mass, the "Tridentine" Mass, I am interested in your experience and reactions. Were you "hooked"?Are you hooked now but it took a while?Were you indifferent ("What’s the big deal?")Were you put off and don’t want to go back?What was it that captured you?What repelled you?Do you go now?  Often?  Exclusively?  Rarely? back? * What was it that captured you? * What repelled you? * Do you...

I'M SO EXCITED!! I just heard that they're having something called a "Traditional Latino Mass" at St. Peter's, so I'm driving there now. I sure hope they have a Mariachi Band! OK, I've driven all the way here and I'm already confused. The sign out front says "St. Peter's Catholic Church". Catholic Church? That isn't very inclusive! Faith Community, if you please. Oh well, I'll correct the Presider after the Communal Gathering Worship Service. I just hope I can find a parking space. Well, that wasn't a very long walk to the church proper. Hey, what's with all the coats...

LOS ANGELES—Marijuana is a religious sacrament and a Hollywood church that burned the drug during services and distributed it to members is protected under federal law, the leader of the congregation argued in a hearing before his drug possession trial Tuesday. The Rev. Craig X Rubin, 41, the leader of the 420 Temple who has appeared in episodes of the Showtime comedy "Weeds," faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of possessing marijuana for sale. < snip > Though ordained in 1990 by the Universal Life Church, police and prosecutors describe Rubin as a drug dealer. < snip...

What We have Lost...and the Road to RestorationA critical look at the changes in the Catholic ChurchThis video gives you an intimate, up-close look at the destructive and wide-spread changes that have taken place in the two-thousand-year-old Catholic Church since the close of the Second Vatican Council in 1965.Much of what you see will surprise you, maybe even shock you, and -- unfortunately -- will sadden you. "What We Have Lost" not ony exposes the external damage that has been done to the Universal Church, but goes deep behind the scenes to reveal the hidden changes; how and when they...

San Francisco-AP -- Coretta Scott King is speaking out against the possibility of a war on Iraq. She says an attack on Saddam Hussein would increase anti-American sentiment, create more terrorists and drain as much as 200 billion taxpayer dollars that she says should be invested in America. The civil rights leader and widow of Martin Luther King Junior says homeland security ought to be "more about providing health care for every citizen, and less about reshuffling bureaucratic agencies and undermining our civil liberties." King spoke in San Francisco last night, after receiving an award from the Metropolitan Community Foundation....

Plaque Honoring Actor Instead Has Name of MLK's Killer The Associated PressWednesday, January 16, 2002; 5:04 AM LAUDERHILL, Fla. –A plaque intended to honor deep-voiced actor James Earl Jones at this city's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration instead is erroneously inscribed to James Earl Ray, King's killer. "Thank you James Earl Ray for keeping the dream alive," reads the plague, which has prompted outrage among civil leaders. The plaque, to be presented at Lauderhill's annual King celebration Saturday, was made by Texas-based Merit Industries at the request of Adpro, a Lauderhill-based business. But instead of thanking Jones, the plaque erroneously ...