Free Republic

I got this is an email from Chris yesterday. I really thought it was fantastic and asked his permission to post it at FR. This is his take on March on DC. Chris said he drew hoping that it would somehow reach a wide audience and doesn't mind it being distributed anywhere we feel so inclined.

I've gotten to know Chris a bit over the last year or so. I love his artwork. Most is not political in nature, but he sent this to me earlier today and I asked if it was okay if I shared this at FR. Hope y'all enjoy.

My worst fears about national health care have now been realized.

TALLAHASSEE - The SunRail commuter train derailed on the Senate floor Thursday, likely ending Central Florida's five-year quest for the $1.2 billion project. Despite lobbying that continued almost unabated throughout the day, an amendment that would have approved a $200 million insurance policy for SunRail was defeated by a 23-17 vote. A second amendment was pulled without a vote. SunRail proponents could try to bring up the measure again today — the last day of the regular session — but its chances of success are low because it would take 27 votes to do so. "It'll take some maneuvering to...

Updated information on Orlando Tax Day Tea Party from http://taxdayteaparty.com/teaparty/florida/ City: Orlando When: April 15, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Where: Orlando City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue Other Info: http://orlandoteaparty.webs.com Other: We are asking all Tea Partiers to bring a personal hygiene item to donate to the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, a homeless outreach that has served homeless men, women, and children for decades. They are in need of razors, shaving cream, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand towels, etc.

This was discussed on the Bud Hedinger show this afternoon. There's a group of people, lead by Ray Srour, Jr. and Sally Baptiste, calling for the recall of Orange County, Florida Mayor Richard Crotty.

Make sure to check out our ongoing thread for updates about the Regional Convention being held in Orlando on April 25. The convention will be at the spectacular Gaylord Palms hotel and we've gotten a group rate of just $99/night on guest rooms. Updated information will be posted Monday on how to make your reservations. RG, Convention Chair

Hey y'all, I am in the process of negotiating with the Gaylord Palms hotel to hold our Freeper Convention there on April 25. We can get a rate of $99 per night (which is a great rate for this really nice hotel) and the convention room will be complimentary. For that rate they are asking for us to block a minimum of 40 rooms; if some people are staying both Friday and Saturday nights that would count as 2 rooms. The contract will be written such that if all 40 rooms are not picked up we would have to pay...

What a great event! Lisa Feroli and the gang hosting the event did a fantastic job of organizing. The Tea Party was supposed to last from noon to 2pm. I got there around 10am and met up with SeekTheTruth and her hubby and we started getting set up. There was a good number of people already there. Fantastic job and a big Thank You to Freeper "surfer" who ordered and donated a 3' x 8' banner with the simple message www.FreeRepublic.com. And well done and Thank You to Freeper MinuteGal for supplying business cards with Free Republic information, all of...

Orlando and Orange County are considering gasification to turn garbage into fuel to generate electricity. Rest of story here

Hey y'all, We've been offered a chance to set up a Free Republic table at the Orlando Tea Pary that's being held on March 21. I think it's a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about Free Republic and recruit like-minded people that are local to us. It would be great to have some kind of banner or sign and maybe cards or some other type of literature to hand out to people. Plus we'll need some volunteers to man the table to talk with people that want more info about what FR is. Anyone interested in helping get this...

I took a few minutes out of lunch to go check out the crowd at today's Tea Party in downtown Orlando. I'm guessing there were about 100 people there. I took pictures, and hopefully I'm going to post them correctly for you. From what I could gather the organizer was Jason Lloyd and a friend of his, pictured in colonial dress with the flag. I thought Jason did a good job of addressing the group. The first order of business was to open in prayer and then we all said the Pledge of Allegience. Jason then discussed the reason for...

On Feb. 4, I wrote an article titled Top five US banks to invest in now, which listed the top five regional US banks based on the Bank Director Magazine. In that list, Glacier Bank (GBCI) was the top bank. Glacier Bank rejected getting help from the Treasury’s Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Instead, the bank went to private investors and did a successful common offering raising $98 million. Due to strong investor demand, the bank had increased the offering from 4 million to 5 million shares. You may be wondering what this has to do with this article. Well...

Web site for the event is up, www.orlandoteaparty.com .

We have secured the Ampitheater at Lake Eola for Saturday, March 21 from 12:00 - 2:00. Bud Hedinger is on board. We have been contacted by Lloyd Marcus who is a conservative, patriotic singer, song writer and entertainer. He is on board as well and will be performing. There are many other plans in the works. So clear your calendars and spread the word. We are going to have a Tea Party! We are going to need to ask for some help with funding the event. We will be forwarding to you our website link which will be completed this...

Dear Mr. and Mrs. : Thank you for contacting me about the economic stimulus package. I appreciate hearing your views. The American people are hurting. They are losing their homes, their jobs, their businesses and their life savings. Economists across the political spectrum agree that the government needs to take bold and immediate action to stimulate the economy and curb the risk of a protracted economic recession. I believe that the government has to do something to get us out of this economic tailspin – and doing nothing isn’t an option. I voted for the economic stimulus package because I...

Okay, I posted to the Florida board and I heard back from no one interested in helping out to get something set up locally. Below is a good starting point that I borrowed from a W. Va Freeper getting started in his neck of the woods. I think this is a good starting point that can be massaged. Is anyone interested in teaming up with me to get something worked out in Central Florida? No one else is going to do it except us. 9AM - MeetnGreet over coffee & donuts 10:30AM - Introductions and brainstorming session to come up...

Sterilization of Dogs and Cats: Requires sterilization of dogs & cats of specified age; provides exceptions; authorizes county or municipality to enact ordinances requiring licensure of dogs & cats that are not sterilized; requires DOACS to adopt rules for approval of breed registration organizations; provides penalties; conforms requirements for sterilization of dogs & cats in animal shelters & animal control agencies to changes made by act; deletes provision extending time for sterilization; authorizes county & municipal ordinances relating to sterilization of animals; authorizes county or municipality to collect surcharge on civil penalties.

The Orlando city commissioner's ethics case now goes to a Tallahassee administrative judge.

A group of 146 wounded warriors and their families are arriving at OIA (Orlando International Airport) this Sunday, 7 December to attend the 5th annual Road to Recovery conference. Veterans groups, service organizations, church volunteers and anyone who cares is invited to give them a “Heroes Welcome” as they arrive at the airport. Many did not receive this previous welcome as they went directly to hospitals for immediate care. A large group of 65-70 wounded will arrive on a dedicated flight sponsored by American Airlines from San Antonio at approx. 2:55 pm. Others will arrive throughout the day on other...