Free Republic

Nobody seems to know much about the "1,000 rock experts" who decide who gets into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. This much we do know: They haven't listened to Lynyrd Skynyrd. I mean, really listened. Not just heard a few familiar notes of Freebird or Sweet Home Alabama, pictured rebel flags and Trans Ams, and voted for other bands.They haven't looked at old footage of packed stadiums. Not just in the South. All over the country.They haven't paid attention to what a wide range of musicians -- from Hank Williams Jr. to Neil Young (yes, Neil Young) --...

MIAMI, Dec. 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today held a diversity training workshop on Islam and the American Muslim community at the FBI's Jacksonville Division All Employee Conference. More than 150 law enforcement agents, including FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force supervisory personnel, attended the workshop that examined basic Islamic beliefs and concepts, common stereotypes of Islam and Muslims and ways in which to improve interactions with the Muslim community. Agents were able to ask questions throughout the two-hour CAIR-FL presentation. "This type of positive interaction between law enforcement officials and...

Ruth says Guard tour showed him younger generation doesn't deserve negative comments he's heard. By GREGORY PIATT The Times-Union Duval County Judge James A. Ruth returned to Jacksonville this week after nearly a year as a Florida Army National Guardsman serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lt. Col. Ruth earned a bronze star for meritorious service while on the staff of the Judge Advocate General's Office at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. Back in his Jacksonville office Thursday, Ruth talked about his deployment with the 50th Area Support Group. Q: What were your expectations before deploying and what are they now after...

Another American has been beheaded in Iraq. While we hope it is the last, our fear is that many more may follow. Each round of beheadings brings with it condemnations from Muslim groups, both in America and abroad. Islam does not teach wanton violence, no matter what the level of grievance. Legitimate grievances do not justify the illegitimate acts of beheading innocent souls and planting bombs in schools. An insidious Naziesque propaganda is under way, perpetuating a myth that the American-Muslim community has not condemned acts of terror and brutality. Facts suggest otherwise. All major American-Muslim groups condemned Sept. 11,...

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- First Coast News has learned a body has been found in Iraq and DNA testing is underway. Multiple sources tell First Coast News Captain Scott Speicher's family has been notified. They will not disclose the details of why they believe these are his remains only to say they have reason to feel confident these are his remains. Test results are expected within weeks. When I sat down with Buddy Harris, who was Speicher's best friend and is now married to Speicher's widow, he told me the family would never give up until they found what happened to...

Calling all FReepers in the Jacksonville area!! I have been informed of a large gatthering of SKerry supporters that will form up at the corner of Blanding and Wells Rd in Orange Park. I have been informed Republicans are needed to welcome them and counter act their presence! Meet the Dummies and conquer by taking the high ground in true FReeper Fashion. The event will be from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Please, all available Republicans respond. Bring your signs, shirts, ball caps, and bull horns to bare on the Dummies.

I attended the Hannity GOTV rally in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, the first stop yesterday. Also appearing were Bill Bennett, Ollie North, and Ralph Reed. Boortz wasn't with them as his plane was fogged-in in Orlando. Kim Alexis, a native Jax beach girl, and former super model, also spoke. All the speakers were great about GOTV and didn't plug anything personal. The crowd for the 9:00 AM event was HUGE, I am guessing 4,000 - 5,000, and VERY FIRED UP for Bush victory!I will share a few photos...FReeper Cup a Joe holds "Morning In America" sign for Bill BennettI was chasing...

These are pictures from the rally yesterday in Jacksonville, FL. I've been working on them for 5 hours now and I'm really tired, so forgive errors, please. It was a beautiful October day. The crowd of around 53,000 was very joyous even though many of us were there over 6 hours. I didn't hear one cross word between anyone. We all enjoyed the wait, visiting with each other while trying to keep the sun off our head. What was the final count, by the way? We accidentally by a fluke, got some of the best seats in the stadium. We...

US President George W. Bush waves to the 55,000 supporters inside Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida during a campaign rally.(AFP/Paul Richards)

I'M FEELING MUCH BETTER [KJL] [Saturday] A reporter who has been around the president all day today e-mailed: I saw your post in the corner yesterday about Bush spending lots of time in Crawford this weekend. I see that you've since noticed him stumping Florida today. I've been with him...all day and am now awaiting him to arrive in Jacksonville where 40,000 or more people will fill Alltel Stadium (where the Jags play) for a rally. He helicoptered in to his first event in Ft. Myers, landing in centerfield of the Red Sox (ha!) Single-A affiliate to the screams of...

Anybody doubt North Florida is Bush Country? The president spoke at a rally at Alltel Stadium today before a crowd estimated at 40,000. By comparison, last night John Edwards spoke in Metropolitan Park (downtown Jax) before a crowd of 2,500.

It was awesome said my daughter. There was 50,000. It was the warmest crowd of people. Air Force 1 did a fly by which excited everyone which was so amazing. Daughter states words does not give it justice as to how great it was. Todd's Beamers parents spoke to the crowd prior to the President's arrival. My son and grandson make it on the big screen during the President's speech. Aaron Tippin played. My granddaughter age 4 was screaming four more years. One of the best posters was Democrats for Bush. The President speech was very positive and upbeat. The...

President coming to JacksonvillePresident George Bush will be in Jacksonville for a rally Saturday, according to the county's top Republican leader. Plans are still being finalized, but Bush plans a daytime rally at The Jacksonville Landing, according to Duval County GOP Chairman Mike Hightower.

John Stafford, Duval County's Supervisor Of Elections, has sent a letter to the Governor saying he was resigning for medical reasons effective today.

We are looking for Jacksonville, Florida FREEPERS who would like to walk door to door tomorrow a.m. in the Ortega area. We have two kinds of list: 1) Registered Republicans; and 2) faitful Republicans (those who have voted in 75% of past, recent elections). Weather should be nice . . . brisk.

After a late night, last minute notice Thursday night, Jacksonville FReepers rose to the occassion and performed a FANTASTIC FReep of Kerry Krewmate and chief apologist, Del Sandusky at DemocRAT Party headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida tonight! The event was billed as a pre-debate party with snacks and refreshments for all veterans to "Come and meet the man who served on John Kerry's boat". It was a TOTAL BUST for their PARTY!FReeper Honor for tonight: OPbuzz, Refuse2Move, Recovering Ex-Hippie, Chieftain, Dare2Bare, and lurker and soon to be FReeper: "the world famous Armando"!Dare2Bare, OPbuzz, Refuse2Move, and Armondo were on scene and making...

Just a spotrep, I'm sure Chieftain will post the afteraction. I was the forward observer inside the Duval Democrat Del love fest. Points: ..They said they had invited the Freepers inside. ..The communications director asked if I had a picture on my tshirt (she saw me showing the freepers on the street). I said yes, she asked what it was. I said "our Commander in Chief". She said, "Who's that?". I said, "Our Commander in Chief". ..DS said (again) that Oneill was called "John Wayne Oneill" because he had shot up another swift boat. Also that he was a liar....

URGENT LATE NOTICE to FREEP Kerry Krewmate, Del Sandusky, Friday night in Jacksonville!I just got this email from Swiftee Pete Webster, who just received it tonight (Thursday). Pete is headed for Washington tomorrow morning and can't be there but has asked all Vietnam Veterans to rally as many people as possible to give Sandusky, Kerry's chief veteran butt-boy a cold welcome in Jacksonville FRIDAY night!Here is the information from the email:Del Sandusky - Salute To Veterans Duval County DEC 6629 Beach Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32216 904-721-9805 Friday, October 8th @ 7:00PM Here's a map. Northeast Florida Veterans For Kerry present...

Happy to report that after much hard work and commincation we held a successful FReep of the PROPAGANDIST Michael Moore who came to Jacksonville, Fl at the request of Rep Corrine Brown, (D)FL, on his "Get out the slacker vote tour. FReeper honor roll for tiday's FReep: Dutchgirl & her dog 'Willie Gumbo', OXENinFLA, Taxman, solsrchr2 & wife, and Chieftain. Unfortunately, Warrior Nurse was called in to work in the ER, but he was with us in spirit.We were joined by Swiftee Pete Webster from Vietnam Veterans for Truth (www.kerrylied.com), as well as Jax Beaches for Bush, Duval GOP, and...

Controversial Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore will be in Jacksonville on Friday as part of a 60-city tour hoping to rally those who typically don't vote to go the polls in November. Moore, director of Fahrenheit 9/11, a movie that attacks President Bush's handling of the fight against terrorism and the war in Iraq, will be at Metropolitan Park. Moore's visit is part of his "Slacker Uprising Tour," an effort to get millions of traditional non-voters to vote Nov. 2. The appearance will be free, but seating is limited to the first 2,500 people. Additional standing room will be available. Gates...