Free Republic

BOONSBORO, Md. (AP) — Authorities say an HIV-positive man has been charged with raping a boy on the Appalachian Trail in western Maryland. The Herald-Mail reports that 43-year-old Jason Henry Cochrane of Millersville is charged with sex abuse of a minor, second-degree rape and other counts in Washington County. A judge earlier this week ordered Cochrane held without bond while he awaits trial. Maryland Natural Resources Police said in court documents that officers were called Saturday morning to the Pine Knob Shelter on the Appalachian Trail near the border with Frederick County.

Cannes – Is the world ready for its first animated gay Viking? "How to Train Your Dragon 2" sure hopes so. "How to Train Your Dragon 2" opened at the Cannes Film Festival last week with its stars in tow, a big party on the beach, and a life-sized Toothless the Dragon hanging out for photo ops with reporters. The sequel to its $500 million blockbuster predecessor has a lot to prove, with the kid movie’s star Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) now a young man, and the Vikings vs. dragons conceit of “Dragons 1” rendered effectively moot as the dragons and...

EXCLUSIVE FROM STOCKHOLM: PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR PASTOR GREEN… Last week, I asked you to pray for Pastor Ake Green, the Swedish pastor facing imprisonment for preaching a sermon on Bible and homosexual behavior. Argued before the Swedish Supreme Court last Wednesday, November 9th, this case has serious ramifications worldwide. As we told you, ADF sent chief counsel Benjamin Bull to Sweden to assist with last Wednesday’s trial. Unlike U.S. Supreme Court oral argument, this was an actual trial where Pastor Green was called to testify and grilled by the prosecuting attorney. Ben reports: “Pastor Green’s trial before the Swedish...