Free Republic

Fake microchips from China are causing a growing number of failures in military systems, according to an investigation by BusinessWeek magazine. The FBI is also investigating a consignment of Cisco-badged routers which turned out to be counterfeit - and could have been used to hack into sensitive equipment. The investigation found that the new tendency for the US Pentagon to buy equipment from off-the-shelf suppliers - some of them operating from residential addresses - has led to a fall in quality of supplied chips: Robert P. Ernst, who heads research into counterfeit parts for the Naval Air Systems Command's Aging...

Remember the good old days, when the world economy hummed along and globalization seemed exciting? When President Clinton told Americans to stop what they were doing and help him build a bridge to the 21st century? When famous columnists celebrated the fact that The World Is Flat? Well, those days are over. The world economy is teetering. Suddenly globalization seems frightening. Construction on Clinton's bridge has been indefinitely postponed. And apparently the world is no longer simply flat. It's Hot, Flat and Crowded. Future historians will spend careers arguing over when this new era began. They'll have plenty of options....

Dear Rush, Laura, Michelle, Mike, Glenn and other conservative talkers, First, let me say thank you for your efforts to inject some spine into our public officials this week. You were all correct about this bailout, as were the vast majority of Freepers here on little ol FreeRepublic. We almost pulled off the upset. But as usual, the 'conservative' punditry was split along familiar lines. The Fred Barneses, Hewitts, Medveds, and the National Review ladies were all pimping the bailout, providing much needed cover for some House Republicans (and democrats) to suddenly see the merits of adding another 150 Billion...

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) released the following statement regarding the financial “rescue” package under consideration by the U.S. Senate today: “Bill Isaac, former head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) during the turbulent Savings and Loan crisis decades ago, well instructed the nation with his practical plan to resolve the current credit crunch without spreading huge amounts of cash to institutions around the world. “Isaac reminds us that the banking network is a $15 trillion system, providing a huge forest for the Administration’s $700 billion of taxpayer money to get lost. When asked how the credit...

Just got of the phone with Duncan Hunter's office. I called to thank him for his NO vote on monday, and to urge him to stand against this socialist boondoggle once more. The nice lady taking his calls assured me there are no worries regarding Duncan; that Hunter wants nothing to do with this garbage and will try to convince others to hold firm in their opposition. However, she said it is not looking good. Apparently, other supposedly conservative congressman have decided that another 150 billion in pet projects tacked onto to this marxist wet dream is enough inducement to...

WASHINGTON – Undeterred by heavy lobbying and threats of reprisals, four out of five members of San Diego County's congressional delegation voted against the Wall Street bailout hammered out by the Bush administration and the bipartisan leadership of the Congress. Only Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, voted for the $700 billion plan. Voting against was Democrat Bob Filner of San Diego and Republicans Duncan Hunter of Alpine, Darrell Issa of Vista and Brian Bilbray of Carlsbad. For Hunter, who is retiring, the measure presented perhaps the last big vote of his 28 years in Congress. And the administration trained one...

The bulk of San Diego's congressional delegation voted today against the proposed $700 billion bailout of U.S. financial institutions, but agreed that lawmakers need to work fast to come up with an alternative now that the House has rejected the plan. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, opposed the plan as a "bad deal for taxpayers." "The American people spoke clearly and forcefully against this bailout scheme, which was crafted by a privileged few meeting behind closed doors," Issa said. "During the last week, members of Congress have been meeting with economic experts outside the government and have heard many alternatives that...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) said today that he will continue opposing and vote against the $700 billion taxpayer funded bailout of Wall Street proposed by Congressional Democrats and Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson. “If the taxpayer funded bailout of Wall Street proposed by Congressional Democrats and Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson comes to the House floor, I will vote against it,” said Congressman Hunter. “There is absolutely no guarantee under this proposal that taxpayer funds, used to purchase $700 billion of questionable Wall Street assets, would be re-circulated in the U.S. economy. In fact, this money...

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of a special series of stories focusing on the election that Baptist Press will run between now and Nov. 4. Stories will run on Wednesdays and Fridays. WASHINGTON (BP)--For years, pro-lifers have set their sights on changing the U.S. Supreme Court, hoping that a conservative judicial lineup would overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. But what if the Supreme Court someday overturns Roe, and abortion nevertheless remains legal? That's the goal behind the Freedom of Choice Act, a bill in the House and Senate that would ensure abortion remains legal...

I've been thinking alot about this election season as of late. I've looked back at the ups and downs, the highs and lows of this whole festival we call the presidential elections. What a roller coaster ride it has been, and that ride has brought me to this thread and feeling the need to vent a bit. When this whole zoo kicked off, I was and to a large degree remain a full-throated supporter of Duncan Hunter. One can only imagine how energized the conservative cause would have been with a Hunter/Palin ticket if that had occurred. For whatever reason...

CARSON CITY -- Until Saturday afternoon, Yerington resident Laura Tracy never had attended a political rally in her life. But she had a hard time controlling her emotions and her political sign when she and 5,000 others pushed into a park pavilion to scream for Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin like she was one of The Beatles. You see, Tracy, like Palin, is a hunter, good enough to have shot a wild turkey for her family's dinner last Thanksgiving. For Palin's first campaign appearance in Nevada, Tracy hoisted a sign that read "Hunter Chick 4 Palin" on one side...

Completion of fence along U.S.—Mexico border hinges on Congress approving the transfer of $400 million in existing infrastructure and technology funding Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) today commended the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) proposal to reprogram available border infrastructure and technology funding for the completion of physical fencing on the U.S.-Mexico border. Congressman Hunter also received confirmation from DHS that such action, if approved by Congressional Appropriations Committees, will not impede the fence construction project at “Smugglers Gulch” in San Diego, California. I strongly support the proposal by DHS to take money from virtual fence and...

Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee issued the following opening statement: Today, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee heard testimony from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, regarding ongoing operations and the way ahead in Iraq and Afghanistan. Drawing attention to the fact that Iraq remains the central front in the war on terror and U.S. efforts in Afghanistan have denied al-Qaeda the opportunity to successfully plan and execute an attack in the United States, Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA) released the following opening statement for the hearing: "Thank...

WASHINGTON – The House overwhelmingly voted to end the disputed cross-border trucking pilot project yesterday, raising the possibility that Congress could shut down the program before year's end. In a 395-18 vote, the House approved legislation to bar the U.S. Department of Transportation from granting authority to Mexican carriers to travel into the United States beyond a narrow commercial zone along the border. To become law, the bill would need to be approved by the Senate and signed by President Bush before the end of the year. Only last month, the administration announced plans to extend the program for two...

State Sen. Tom McClintock spoke to a gathering of Minutemen from the Sacramento region on the steps of the State Capitol Tuesday. In town for their annual ‘Lobby Day,’ the Minutemen make visits to lawmakers to raise awareness on issues stemming from illegal immigration. This year, one of the topics is crimes caused by illegal aliens. One high-profiled example is the murder case involving Edwin Ramos, a native of El Salvador who is charged with three counts of murder. Tony Bologna and his two sons, Michael and Matthew, who were on the way back from a family gathering, when they...

By: Center for American Progress Action Fund ASHINGTON, DC Aug. 13, 2008 - Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) voted against every attempt to increase clean alternative energy sources during this Congress, according to a new analysis by the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Rep. Hunter's opposition to wind, solar, geothermal and other clean energy sources contrasts with his participation in the House Republicans protests in favor of offshore oil drilling in protected areas. These protests in the closed House chamber began on August 1st and House Republican Leaders announced that they will continue through August 22nd. "Rep. Hunter wins the...

The sea crashes on to the rocky beach, with the marbled sand black and white, looking like paradise with the sound of norteño music lingering in the background, but this view is violently interrupted by a metallic wall, penetrating the sea, salted water responding to the aggression by corroding the metal sheets. Here, right under the light house, thousands of families have gathered for summer days, weekends and holidays, meeting to share, kiss, and hold hands, for over 30 years. Lone men coming from the US side to see their kids grow across the fence, while they cry in their...

<p>SAN DIEGO - Scrapers and bulldozers began filling a deep canyon Friday to make way for a border fence in the southwestern corner of the United States after 12 years of planning, environmental reviews and legal challenges.</p> <p>The 3 1/2-mile stretch extends from a state park on an oceanfront cliff through a canyon known as Smuggler's Gulch. The gorge was overrun by illegal immigrants until U.S. authorities launched a crackdown in the 1990s that pushed traffic to the remote mountains and deserts of California and Arizona.</p>

President George W. Bush, in China attending the Olympic Games, responded promptly to Russia's invasion of Georgia with the caveat that "territorial integrity must be respected." We're still waiting to hear the Bush administration's response to this month's invasion of Arizona's territorial integrity by the Mexican military. More than 40 times this year, the Mexican military has crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. The Mexicans even held a U.S. border guard at gunpoint. How long are we going to put up with Mexican impudence and federal neglect of duty? One of the most emphatic duties set forth in the U.S. Constitution is...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) responded to reports that a Border Patrol agent was held at gunpoint by members of the Mexican military in Arizona by reaffirming the necessity for border fencing and other infrastructure. According to a State Department Spokesman, the encounter “stemmed from a momentary misunderstanding as to the exact location of the U.S.-Mexican border.” "I disagree with the State Department’s characterization of this incident," said Congressman Hunter. "The fact that members of the Mexican military are routinely operating in such close proximity to the border, with no identifiable purpose, raises serious questions about their...

Duncan Hunter will be on Blog Talk Radio today at 4;30pm on eeevil conservatives show.

An admitted drug smuggler whom two U.S. Border Patrol agents shot in the buttocks as he fled back to Mexico was sentenced Wednesday to 9 1/2 years in federal prison on drug-related charges. Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, who pleaded guilty in April on charges of drug smuggling and conspiracy, was at the center of a firestorm of criticism in 2005 after Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean were sentenced to 11 and 12 years in prison, respectively, for the shooting incident. The sentencing came a little more than a week after a federal appeals court upheld the agents' lengthy...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) responded to the sentencing of Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, the drug smuggler whose testimony led to the convictions of Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, by calling it a “perfect opportunity” for the President to pardon the agents or commute their sentences. Davila was sentenced today to two consecutive, 57 month terms in prison. “The sentencing of Osvaldo Aldrete Davila offers the President yet another opportunity to do what is right and either pardon or commute the sentences of Agents Ramos and Compean,” said Congressman Hunter. “These agents have spent almost...

Let’s get back to work folks! If WE want our Representatives to COME BACK from vacation TELL THEM! This is OUR GOVERNMENT! Not THEIRS! They SERVE us, time to REMIND THEM! CALL THE REPUBLICAN OFFICES-- TELL THEM TO KEEP WORKING FOR US!!!! List of Reps from A to Z Toll free Capital switchboard numbers are: 800-965-4701 800-828-0498 Call Nancy BACK from her book tour! Tell her to SHUT UP AND DRILL! (202) 225-0100 or Phone: (202) 225-4965 send an email to Pelosi at sf.nancy@mail.house.gov SOME GOOD REPS TO CALL!! Cantor: (202) 225-2815 Pence: (202) 225-3021 Price: (202) 225-4501 Kingston: (202)...

Crews could begin filling in Smuggler's Gulch as early as this week for the border-fence construction project that environmentalists had opposed for years. The gulch is a deep canyon west of the San Ysidro port of entry. Yesterday, Reps. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, and Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad, held a news conference there to announce the expected start of the cut-and-fill phase. “This is the last hole in the border fence,” Hunter said. “It's important to get this done.” Earth-scraping equipment was scheduled to arrive yesterday, he said. A Border Patrol spokesman later confirmed that the contractor handling the fence project is...

Another FreeRepublic Op-ed for the political season (#2 in a series) The first in this series of op-eds [http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2053169/posts] began with a composite exchange between three mythical posters. The subsequent posts by fellow Freepers served to illustrate the accuracy of that composite ‘fictional’ exchange. This episode will not have such a fictional exchange. The central feature of this op-ed will be the selection of a candidate to accompany McCain in his run for the White House as we try to explore what is needed in such a candidate. It can be argued that the man or woman chosen to be...

Thirty-one members of Congress on Wednesday asked President Bush for an "immediate review" of the convictions of former Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who were sentenced in 2006 to lengthy prison terms for shooting a drug-smuggling suspect in the buttocks as he fled back to Mexico. "Should you be unwilling to pardon Agents Ramos and Compean, as some of us have advocated, we ask that you then consider commuting their sentences to time served," the Republican lawmakers said in a letter. "Your intervention in this matter will not only serve to correct this injustice, but also help...

At 11:30 am today, right as the ground breaking ceremony with Brian Bilbray and Duncan Hunter was getting underway at the bottom of Smuggler's Gulch, four Bush-McCain-Kennedy "guest workers" decided to invade the sovereign territory of the United States (sans permission) just a couple hundred yards to the east on the high ground. Apparently, they figured the distraction of the nearby ceremony would be a great time to sneak past the Border Patrol who were all down in the gulch. An American Patriot driving towards Smuggler's via the border road spotted 4 in the bushes, got out and snapped these...

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Republican Congressman, Duncan Hunter's name was popping up in blogs and cable news shows Thursday. Hunter's staff was reported to have contacted the U.S. embassy in the African country of Chad to see if Hunter could distribute food at a refugee camp. Hunter also wanted to hunt Wildebeest in Chad and distribute the meat to refugees. The embassy staff reportedly said they were happy to hear about the Congressman's interest in helping refugees, but as far as hunting goes, there are no Wildebeest to hunt in Chad and the government there does not permit the...

Have you noticed that Barack Obama is actually running unopposed for the Presidency? Not since 1996 has it been this dispiriting, this embarrassing to be on the right. A dozen years ago, we all knew Bob Dole didn’t stand the proverbial snowball’s chance of becoming President, since the conservative base loathed the former Kansas Senator and independent voters regarded the veteran as too old for the job. Now, twelve years later, we’re in the exact same spot with John McCain. I hate to say this, but I have abandoned all hope for a McCain victory in November. The candidate is...

On the 4th of July, the Campo Minutemen will join other Border Watch Groups for a Bar-B-Que at Camp Vigilance in Boulevard, CA.

We invite ALL Americans to join us for the Celebration Event of the Year!!! When: JULY 4th, 2008!!! Where: CAMP VIGILANCE, Boulevard, CA Event Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Border Watch: For Patriots Who Wish To Stay, There Will Be A Weekend Border Watch -July 5th & 6th!! The Unity of Groups: The event is sponsored by California Coalition for Immigration Reform, Save Our State, The Minuteman Corps of CA Inc, The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps of CA, The San Diego Minutemen, The Escondido Minuteman Brigade, The Antelope Valley Minutemen and others!!!!! July 4th festivities will include guest speakers,...

If you have a moment, please email Ben at Border Stories and let know what you think. ben@borderstories.org (Note the close up on the "Free Ramos and Compean" and "Duncan Hunter for President" signs.) THANKS!!

Last weekend Congressman Duncan Hunter came to Kansas to campaign with Jim. Rep. Hunter, a former Presidential candidate and Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, represents the 52nd District of California. Rep. Hunter accompanied Jim and Team Ryun to a meet and greet in Wamego (thanks to all who helped organize it), a BBQ in Manhattan (thanks to the Addairs, our great hosts!) and even an afternoon of sporting clays. We had a great weekend of events and of course there are tons of pictures! If you had your picture taken over the weekend and would like a copy...

The open borders of the United States amount to a national security exposure. This is a fact that cannot be debated. One has only to look at the number of foreign nationals attempting to illegally enter the U.S. through Mexico over the last several years. Since 2005, the Department of Homeland Security reports that more than 331,000 people from countries other than Mexico have been apprehended trying to cross the Southern land border. These individuals came from virtually every country in the world, including some with whom we have an adversarial relationship, such as Communist China, Iran and North Korea....

WAMEGO — Despite some differences in political opinions, former presidential hopeful Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., said he will support John McCain in the election. The presidential election was among the topics when Hunter spoke Saturday at Kaw Valley State Bank in Wamego in support of former Rep. Jim Ryun's bid for the 2nd District The conservative Hunter, who has been a strong supporter for establishing a physical fence line to the country's southern border, initially endorsed Mike Huckabee but said he called McCain to give his endorsement after the Arizona senator secured the nomination. "McCain has committed to the fence,"...

Duncan D. Hunter scored an overwhelming victory Tuesday in the Republican primary election to replace his father, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, beating a field of candidates by the kind of margin more often won by incumbents than first-time candidates. With nearly 90 percent of precincts reporting, Hunter, 31, a Marine Corps Reserve Captain, led with 73 percent of the vote. His nearest Republican opponent, Brian Jones, a Santee Councilman and former minister, trailed with just 16 percent. The win propels Hunter into a fall showdown against Democrat Mike Lumpkin, 43, a retired Navy SEAL Commander, whose willingness to stray from...

LOS ANGELES Duncan D. Hunter, the son of longtime San Diego GOP Congressman Duncan Hunter, has won the Republican primary to compete for his father's House seat in November. The younger Hunter, a 31-year-old veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, won with 74 percent of the vote in partial returns Tuesday. He beat Bob Watkins, president of the San Diego County Board of Education, and Santee City Councilman Brian Jones. The elder Hunter is retiring from Congress at the end of this term, his 14th, after a failed presidential bid. Duncan D. Hunter will be the favorite in...

ALPINE -- Here in the Republican stronghold of eastern San Diego County, Duncan Hunter the son is attempting to succeed Duncan Hunter the father in the 52nd Congressional District. The elder Hunter is leaving Congress after 14 terms and a failed try this year for the GOP nomination for president. When he first ran for Congress in 1980, he was a 31-year-old combat veteran from Vietnam. His son is a 31-year-old combat veteran from Iraq and Afghanistan. Father and son share the same brand of conservatism: Continue building the border fence; continue fighting in Iraq; cut spending and taxes; oppose...

Duncan Lee Hunter, born May 31, 1948 to Lola L. Young and Robert Olin Hunter. Thank you for your service in Vietnam and in Congress.

Border security was a signature issue of longtime U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, and many of the candidates running to replace him in the 52nd U.S. Congressional District this year are trying to seize on it as well. The Republicans competing in the June 3 primary – Duncan D. Hunter, Brian Jones, Rick L. Powell and Bob Watkins – are out to prove they’re serious about cracking down on illegal immigration. And the tough talk isn’t limited to Republicans. Democratic candidates Mike Lumpkin and Vickie Butcher said they also would tighten border security. In a poll taken last month of 400...

Mitt Romney. Charlie Crist. Bobby Jindal. Mike Huckabee. We’ve heard these names as possible running mates for John McCain. However, there’s another name that should be on this list—and it’s ridiculous that his name hasn’t been offically suggested yet. Not so long ago, California Congressman Duncan Hunter was seen as the true conservative choice for the Republican nomination. Hunter had served the country with honor during his 27-year tenure in the House of Representatives, working tirelessly to advance conservative principles and remaining loyal to the Reagan vision. Unfortunately, Hunter was unable to conquer his competitors for the Republican nomination. Despite...

In another case of politicians not having a clue what's really going on in this country, an interesting exchange took place in Washington this week. Three Democrat legislators spoke to reporters about what they claim is "anti-immigrant coverage" by conservative media outlets. Apparently, they think floods of illegal aliens crossing into America and the crime and violence at the border are just overblown incidents developed by conservatives to attack our neighbor to the South. After they spoke, the Democrats were asked if they realized that the State Department had issued a "travel alert warning Americans about military-like 'combat' along the...

Attention Hunter fans! He is on CSPAN for the next hour!

A huge thanks to Adam Day of Sycuan for sending the survey results and memo along. Some excerpts... Survey Shows Duncan D. Hunter with Comfortable Lead In 52nd Congressional District Republican Primary Race El Cajon, CA (May 12, 2008) - In a survey of 400 registered voters in the 52nd Congressional district, Duncan D. Hunter, son of current Congressman Duncan Hunter, enjoys a substantial lead over other candidates in the race with 79% voter support. Sycuan frequently conducts public opinion polling on a wide range of regional issues and election topics and shares the results with the public. This survey...

President Bush weighed in as well at a White House meeting Wednesday with Republicans. But Hunter’s stance reflects what has been a steady undercurrent of criticism on the right. In trying to pull together the wartime spending bill and still meet other budget priorities, Democrats argue that it is unrealistic for Rice to expect the full $500 million at this time. In his letter to Bush, for example, Hunter argues that the $500 million has no place in the bill “much like other programs not intended to support military operations in the combat theaters of the global war on terrorism.”...

The ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee asked the White House Friday to withdraw its $500 million request for aid to Mexico as part of the new Merida Initiative to fight drug-trafficking into the U.S. California Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), who chaired Armed Services for years under Republican rule, said Congress should first debate and authorize the multiyear commitment which has been a top priority for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The House Foreign Affairs Committee is scheduled to mark up an authorization bill next Wednesday. But mindful that its own power is running out, the Bush administration...

More than two years after a precedent-setting move by the federal government cleared a path around environmental laws and legal challenges, the construction of a stretch of border fence across a deep canyon known as Smuggler's Gulch is set to begin next month. The project will require cutting earth from surrounding hills and filling in the canyon with more than 2 million cubic yards of dirt, an operation so large that critics fear disastrous environmental consequences. According to the latest plans from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the project will consist of constructing an earthen berm across the canyon...

I'm scheduled to be on the Andrea Shea King Show tonight around 9:30 p.m. EDT to speak about the connections between Barack Obama and Code Pink's Jodie Evans.Also scheduled for tonight's show is Rep. Duncan Hunter.The Andrea Shea King Show is broadcast live on WDBO 580-AM in Orlando, Florida from 9.m. to 11 p.m. EDT on Sundays. The show is also streamed live on the Internet.Click here to open the page for WDBO then click the 'listen live' button near the top.

CNSNews.com) - Two years after President George W. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act into law, requiring 700 miles of double-layer fencing to be constructed along five stretches of the southern U.S. border by May 2008, only 90 miles of fencing have been built -- and just 12 miles of it is double-layered. "By eliminating the double-fence requirement, the Democratic Congress is going to make it easier for drug and human smugglers to cross our Southern land border," Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), who wrote the original fencing specification in the Secure Fence Act, said when the U.S. House passed a...