Free Republic

Metformin is the most common type 2 diabetes drug prescribed to millions of American each year, and a new study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published in Diabetes Care suggests the drug can lower the risk of developing long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), in diabetics. Metformin lowers blood sugar and is most commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. The drug also is prescribed off-label for weight loss and other metabolic conditions. The new findings come from the ongoing RECOVER trial and build on results seen in a 2023...

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — As the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump continued, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said we may never know the motivation of the would-be assassin who was a Biden-Harris supporter and donated to Democrats 20 times. Sources within the FBI said the mystery had thus far proved to be too complex to unravel, as agents scoured the shooter's extensive social media post history condemning Trump and his long track record of giving money to Democratic political causes in search of any sign of what may have motivated his attack. "We're...

Kamala Harris' recent boasts about her tough-on-crime record as California Attorney General have brought back into the spotlight her arrest and prosecution of single black mother Cheree Peoples in 2013, a tragedy I recount in my new short documentary, Arrested by Kamala: A Black Mother's Story.There is a three minutes only version of the interview on You Tube as well, Arrested by Kamala.The story is also told in a riveting rap song of the same name: Arrested by Kamala. In no small part, Harris ascended to power on the backs of minority women, women like Cheree Peoples, a victim of...

When it took to the sea in 1912, the RMS Titanic was not only a luxury liner transporting society’s upper crust from England to the U.S.; it could also be described as a floating gallery of fine art and design, populated with high-end objects from a Renault Coupe de Ville to irreplaceable books and a 1912 painting by Merry-Joseph Blondel that would be worth over $3 million dollars today. Now, an unmanned mission to the floor of the North Atlantic Ocean where the ship lies has revealed a long-sought two-foot-tall bronze statue showing the goddess Diana that stood atop the...

Blasphemy, I thought. There it was, a prepackaged mojito in a grocery store. This was about a decade ago. Still, I was curious to try it, because a canned cocktail that was actually good? That could be a gateway to converting pedestrian drinkers into cocktail nerds. Sadly, there was no craft in that canned mojito. No love. It confirmed my conviction that quality drinks must be mixed, not mass-produced. Recently, however, I popped open a daiquiri from Tip Top, an Atlanta-based company specializing in classic cocktails served in Lilliputian cans. It was, shockingly, sublime. The simple yet difficult-to-balance daiquiri is...

Warren Buffett, one of the wealthiest people in the world with a net worth of $142 billion, according to Bloomberg, is also known for his generosity. He has donated billions to charity over the years, but when it comes to his kids, handouts aren’t part of the deal. In the HBO Becoming Warren Buffett documentary, Susie Buffett shared a story that gives a glimpse into her father's frugality. This wasn't the first time she had discussed it. Back in 2011, a Globe and Mail article mentioned that Susie once asked her father for a $41,000 loan to renovate her kitchen...

Not surprisingly Champagne dominated the 2024 International Wines and Spirits (IWSC) French sparkling wine Gold medalists, winning 10 of the top 12 awards. It’s lesser-known neighbor, Saumur, in the Loire Valley, took the balance of the Gold medals. The top scoring sparkling wine, with 98/100 points, was Champagne Palmer, Solera Rosé Brut NV, Champagne AOP, 12% ABV, 750 ml. The IWSC Judging Panel described the wine as: Elegant, fruity aromatic profile suits the vibrant pink appearance. The palate is restrained with soft cream, pastry and ripe red summer fruits. Fruit intensity continues throughout with lychee showing at the mid-palate. The...

Constitution Day – 17 Sep 2024: A Lesson from History. Is Being Born a Citizen (Citizen at/by Birth) of the United States of Sufficient Citizenship Status to be President of the United States and Commander in Chief of Our Military? The Founders and Framers Emphatically Decided — No, It Is Not!

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Merrick Garland has just issued an ultimatum to racists around the country, warning that if anyone insults migrants again, he'll be forced to unveil the big guns and call in another bomb threat. According to DOJ sources, Garland has been getting fed up with the constant putting-down of migrants and the outlandish claims that people make about them, so he's more than willing to phone up another overseas bomb threat if he needs too. "If people don't get their act together and quit claiming that migrants are eating dogs and cats and who knows what, I WILL...

If you live in certain states, wine can be found at the supermarket, which helps trim a stop off your run of errands on a busy day. I mean, we're certainly not skipping the wine, are we? Grocery store wine gets a bad rap for being generic, boring and altogether a bit basic, but that doesn't mean there aren't some goof bottles to be found among the hard iced teas and boozy seltzer. To get the skinny on good grocery store vino, we turned to an expert in the field. "You can find good wine at the grocery store," says...

It has been said that, when he was leaving the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked whether the Founding Fathers had given America a monarchy or a republic, and he replied: “A republic, if you can keep it.” The Founders put the power to decide our Nation’s future in the hands of “We the People.” On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and during Constitution Week, we recommit to preserving our republic, perfecting our Union, and ensuring our democracy survives and thrives. Our Constitution established that our Nation would be a democracy, meaning the rule of the people — not of...

In case you didn’t know, August 16 is National Rum Day. And honestly, I don’t care. In fact, the best way to not get me to drink a specific spirit is to tell me I’m supposed to drink it on a specific day. Give me a margarita on St. Patrick’s Day, when I’m supposed to be drinking Irish whiskey, but not on Cinco de Mayo, when I may well be drinking... Irish whiskey. You get my drift. And industry-created “days” of unknown origin are even more annoying. So let me be clear, I am not advocating that you drink any...

Whether you prefer a dry martini or a refreshing gin and tonic, your gin of choice defines the cocktail. If you love gin, you know how it can unfold like a story with each sip: Juniper is the main character, while spices, citrus, and other aromatics play the supporting roles. We believe there’s a gin for almost any imbiber, even the folks who think they don’t like it. If you’re turned off by assertive, sprucy gins, we have a pick for you that’s smooth and bright. If you like old pine boxes in dusty attics and want to capture that...

The Centauromachy was a mythical battle between the Lapith people, who were members of the ancient Greek tribe of Aeolians who lived in Thessaly, and the mythical centaurs—half-horse, half-man creatures in Greek mythology. Who were the Centaurs and the Lapiths? The Lapiths and the centaurs of ancient Greece were said to be related in that the clans supposedly descended—and acquired their names—from two mythical brothers: Lapithes and Centaurus. Centaurus, according to ancient Greek mythology, was the first being to group the stars into constellations, and taught others how to read them. It is said he formulated a picture of himself...

Are witches real? Of course! Witch historian and modern practitioners share history, types.

Members of the Hollywood elite wore pins supporting a cease fire between Israel and terror organization Hamas in Gaza during the Emmys on Sunday at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. Included among the celebrities who were seen wearing the pin were Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Dallas Goldtooth and Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs), and TV writer Brittani Nichols (Abbott Elementary) and her partner Caroline Joyner, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Coughlan in particular has been an opponent of Israel’s attempt to put an end to Hamas. She took to her social media to tell fans why she was wearing the pin....

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Americans across the country breathed a sigh of relief this morning following breaking news that Vice President Kamala Harris had survived an attempted interview. The incident took place late yesterday afternoon during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania when a rogue reporter reportedly approached the vice president and fired off several questions before being tackled to the ground and subdued by Secret Service agents. Harris was quickly evacuated from the area and taken to a secure location. "Thankfully, Vice President Harris is safe and in stable condition," a campaign spokesperson said. "We all feared the worst when that...

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was named “Antisemite of the Week” by a Jewish group following her arrest at a recent anti-Israel rally. Thunberg “has joined the ranks of keffiyeh-clad protesters, brazenly voicing her disdain for the Jewish state,” the watchdog group StopAntisemitism said Friday, days after Thunberg was among those hauled off by Danish police during a demonstration at Copenhagen University. “She has sadly transformed her activism into a platform for vile Jew-hatred,” the organization added. The 21-year-old was arrested on Sept. 4 while protesting with the group Students Against the Occupation, which called on the university to cease all...

Tequila is the fastest-growing spirit category in the United States. Here’s a list of the 20 most medaled Blanco Tequila expressions. All of them have won gold or higher awards or scored more than 90 points in at least five international spirit competitions over the last decade. Each is worthy of the Tequila Hall of Fame, and each is a candidate for World’s Best Blanco Tequila. Each entry includes the competitions where they medaled, a brief note on the distillery where they are produced, and a short tasting note.

Vodka is perhaps the spirit with the least personality. It doesn't bring much by way of tasting notes to the table, but when you're looking for a clean, clear liquor to serve a boozy kick without dominating the flavor profile of your drink, vodka is what you want to reach for. Around the world, vodkas are made from grains, potatoes, sugar cane, and even maple sap. There are some pretty cheap ones on the market, leaving you wondering which of them are worth the buy? Bottom shelf is a term that can come with some stigma, but here we use...