Free Republic

You have to be careful about who you insult in today's America, but if you're a liberal activist, you can freely attack religious groups without fear of reprisal. Nancy Gardner, well-know animal activist and President of the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, slandered the Mennonite Sect in a leter to the Chambersburg, PA Public Opinion. Trying to drum up support for legislation regulating 'puppy mills' she singled out Mennonites in her letter trying to draw some weird conspiracy theory between local Mennonite farmers and two dog breeders who recently shot 80 of their dogs in response to pending action from the...

Welcome to Pennsylvania. Check your assumptions at the door and take nothing for granted -- because this commonwealth is about to become the epicenter of the political universe. "The Democrats can't win the presidency without Pennsylvania's electoral votes," says Charles Franklin, professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Steve McMahon, an analyst for the Democrats, says that is why Barack Obama's campaign showcased three Pennsylvania favorite sons at its convention. "The fact that all three, Sen. Bob Casey, Rep. Patrick Murphy and Scranton native Joe Biden, are white Catholics with working-class backgrounds" -- a tepid Obama demographic --...

McCain hits campaign trail with risky VP pickPosted: 31 August 2008 0555 hrs PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania : The rival US presidential campaigns descended on eastern battleground states Saturday where Republican John McCain introduced his shock pick of a female political neophyte as a running mate. The two campaigns scheduled whistle stops and duelling rallies in economically struggling Pennsylvania and Ohio as the country stood stunned by McCain's risky, unexpected choice of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin , 44, to run for the vice presidency. But their economic messages were overshadowed by the evacuation of the coastal city of New Orleans ahead of...

DENVER -- Upon sewing up the Democratic nomination for president, Barack Obama inherited a mixed blessing: Ed Rendell. On one hand, the governor who led the charge for Hillary Clinton's victory over Obama in Pennsylvania is a coveted ally in Keystone State politics and one who is essential to Obama's bid for the White House. On the other, Rendell's propensity for veering off-message already shows signs of rocking Obama's boat.

A Pennsylvania man was injured in an accident in Westampton Tuesday and then charged with unlawful possession of a loaded handgun, police said. According to investigators, Gary Jones, 30, of Glenside, Pa. was the driver of a vehicle that collided with another car yesterday afternoon at the intersection of Springside and Valley Farm Roads. Following the 4:21 p.m. accident, officers located a 10 mm handgun in the console of Jones car, police said. The gun was loaded with hollow-point bullets, police said. Jones had a permit to carry the weapon in Pennsylvania, but New Jersey law does not permit him...

FROM DIANA IREY McCain in Western PA! Please join us this coming Saturday for: Road to the Convention Rally - August 30, 2008 Join Senator John McCain and Cindy McCain for a Road to the Convention Rally Doors open 3:00 p.m. Program begins at 5:00 p.m. Special Guest: John Rich of "Big and Rich" Consol Energy Park 1 Washington Federal Way Washington, PA 15301 Call Today to Reserve Your Ticket Washington Republican Committee Headquarters (724) 223 - 1001

A woman who allegedly defecated inside the sanctuary of Tullytown's St. Michael the Archangel Church in February believed her feces would rid the parish of a hex, a police officer testified Tuesday. The hex had something to do with 528 dead children the woman believed were buried between St. Mike's and a nearby Dunkin' Donuts on Levittown Parkway, the officer added. That, as far as Tullytown police officer Nate Aldsworth could tell, was Sandralee Banks-Kastrup's motivation for allegedly wreaking havoc this winter on the parish and its community. Aldsworth testified Tuesday morning at the preliminary hearing for Banks-Kastrup, a 40-year-old...

Here is video of Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania saying yesterday that he believes John McCain can win Pennsylvania on November 4. Specter said he believes McCain can win in PA despite Joe Biden's ties in the state. . . (see video)

DENVER: When most people think of Joe Biden, they think Senate longevity, confidence, a liberal with a free-wheeling impulse to give you his never-to-be-humble opinion. What they don't think of is a man who could have a great impact in Pennsylvania. The question becomes: Can he make his impact as broad as Hillary Clinton -- another Scranton native -- did in the Pennsylvania primaries? Hillary glowed in Pennsylvania. She made Pennsylvania her second home and it stuck with voters. John Kerry, married to the Heinz ketchup heiress Teresa, did the same thing in his runup to the 2004 election. He...

DENVER -- While all eyes are on Sen. Barack Obama and his freshly minted running mate Sen. Joe Biden -- one week from today (the day after Sen. John McCain announces his running mate), Gov. Tom Ridge will introduce McCain along with unsaid running mate on a southwestern Pennsylvania stage. According to a Republican official, Ridge will be introducing McCain in Washington County next Saturday, which probably means Ridge is out, Mitt Romney remains the favorite, and Team McCain is planning to fight it out with Obama-Biden in the Keystone State. Many analysts and strategists are keeping a keen eye...

Thursday, August 21, 2008 Barack Obama leads John McCain by five percentage points in Pennsylvania for the second month in a row. Both candidates have lost some support from a month ago, with the Democrat now favored by 45% while his Republican opponent earns the vote from 40%. When “leaners” are included, Obama’s lead is down to just three points, 48% to 45%. A month ago, Obama led by six when leaners were included.

Pennsylvania's Gov. Ed Rendell told PolitikerPA, a political Web site, that "Early on, I said I would cast my ballot for Sen. Clinton, I'm going to cast my ballot for her, and then the moment I cast my vote, I'm going to continue to enthusiastically support Sen. Obama. It's going to be a good release for all of us." Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo confirmed to the Tribune-Review via email Rendell's statement with this response: "He (Rendell) will vote for Senator Clinton on the first ballot as part of his commitment as a pledged delegate. He will then support Sen. Obama...

The speculation began first with Hillary, then it was Clark, a strong flirtation with 'change' soul-mate Kaine flipped to an eye towards stability with Indiana's Bayh, but now all of that has shifted over to Biden -- Joe that is -- that outspoken senator from Delaware that hails from the same part of Pennsylvania as Hillary Clinton's family and makes C-SPAN so darn interesting.

According to the pool report, Sen. Barack Obama told a crowd of over 1,300 in California not to worry, "I will win." Speaking at his third California financial barnstorming event yesterday -- a day that brought in a total of $7.8 million -- Obama was welcomed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She said he was a leader "that God has blessed us with at this time."

Rumors of a contentious Democrat convention appear to be greatly exaggerated. David Morehouse, a senior campaign adviser to Sen. John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign, says the threat of revolt is a perception some small constituencies would have you believe, "but these are the same people that would bite off their own nose to spite their face."

MANHEIM -- John McCain's last stop on a three-day swing across Pennsylvania provided clues as to how the Republican plans to beat Barack Obama in a battleground state the Democrat is favored to win.

Ridge said he was proud of how McCain has handled the crisis unfolding in Georgia. ...“He has kept a cool head, taken calls from Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili -- and really behaved very presidential in his perspective of this crisis,” said Ridge as McCain shook hands with the crowd that gathered around him. “He has been to Georgia several times,” Ridge added. “He doesn’t need to look for it on a map.”

A longtime Western Pennsylvania politician once said, “You run with the top of the ticket when you can, and run away from it when you have to.” Which explains U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire’s short answer as to whether he will campaign in his district with Barack Obama: He’ll “consider it.” Altmire -– a previous skeptic of offshore drilling who now supports it, pitting him against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -– said it will depend on when the presumptive nominee comes to town and if their schedules mesh. “I am not going to avoid it,” he added.

Well, this was to be expected, considering the peace protestors involved - Chester County 'Peace' Movement. They employed (most likely pro-bono) a token Democrat lawyer from West Chester, Samuel C Stretton, to draft a threatening letter to Rich Davis. Rich is head of the Chester County Victory Movement - American Sheepdogs.The same tactic was employed by a VFP'er Sandy Kelson in Erie, Pa and it failed magnificently. As will this latest stunt by the 'peace' movement. The CCPM is the same group that can boast of having a convicted 'peace slapper' in their midst. The Sheepdogs welcome the opportunity to...

The group walked along Route 116 with a red banner bearing a lion and a cross. Some carried rosaries. Some prayed. Some chatted with their friends, while others just quietly reflected It was a 41/2-hour trek, spanning 13 miles. There was plenty of time for all of it. Walking under the hot sun, 13 members of the Spring Grove chapter of Tradition, Family and Property made a pilgrimage Monday morning to Sacred Heart Basilica in Conewago Township.... And, their goal was to pray the rosary for the family structure in America at the country's oldest stone church, and the first...

HARRISBURG - Ralph Nader has landed a spot on the Pennsylvania presidential ballot again. The question is, can he keep it this time? Nader, an independent who was knocked off the ballot by Democratic challenges in 2004, submitted nearly 55,000 signatures to the Department of State yesterday. That's more than twice the number needed. The department counted and reviewed 24,665 signatures, the number needed for third-party candidates to place their names on the fall ballot, spokeswoman Leslie Amoros said. In 2004, a group of Democratic voters challenged Nader's petition and Commonwealth Court ruled that a majority of the signatures were...

Please Pray for my husband Dom.He is 50 and had a stroke on Sunday.I have been a freeper for awhile and find enjoyment and great information from my fellow freepers. My husband worked all his life, seven days a week,but we can not afford health insurance and a mortgage.I am so worried about my husband ,he has no vision or hearing in his left side and cannot walk.He also has vertigo,all from the stroke.I was told by the hospital they can take my house and all we saved if I don't make payment.I have been hearing this since Sunday.I have...

The latest Quinnipiac Swing State Polls are out: Florida: Obama leads McCain, 46% to 44% Ohio: Obama leads McCain, 46% to 44% Pennsylvania: Obama leads McCain, 49% to 42%

The Sen. Barack Obama campaign held a conference call this morning on one of the key battleground states in this race: Pennsylvania. Team O, led by Gov. Ed Rendell, stressed the importance of registering and winning over the one-million-plus, un-registered voters spread out over the Keystone State.

HARRISBURG - They cost only a dime each, but it added up quickly. Over more than two years, as they toiled in the minority, Democrats in the state House allegedly purchased millions of e-mail addresses to send campaign-related propaganda to Pennsylvania voters who were stuck paying the political tab - $1.2 million. And that's not including several hundred thousand more in public funds that went to a tech consultant - the son of a state representative - who allegedly made it all look like a legitimate legislative endeavor. Details of the conspiracy were laid out recently in the 74-page grand-jury...

It's complicated. Pennsylvania is a "purple" state that must go Democrat blue instead of Republican red for Barack Obama to win the November election. John McCain does not need Pennsylvania to win the White House, but Obama sure does.

On Wednesday the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued a short per curiam order, in which it agreed with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania that the state legislature violated the Pennsylvania Constitution when it added "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to Pennsylvania's "ethnic intimidation" law. Eleven Christians of the evangelical group Repent America were arrested due to that same law in 2004 for reading the Bible and singing hymns at Outfest, a homosexual rally. Though the case was eventually dropped, Repent America filed legal action in 2005 against the act, citing its unconstitutional nature. The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania agreed last...

The parents of a teenager girl who became a homicide victim when Andrea Curry-Demus, 38, allegedly sliced open her stomach and stole her unborn child say they forgive her. The parents of 18-year-old Kia Johnson spoke at her funeral on Friday after her body was found in Curry-Demus' apartment. "I forgive her for the simple fact that if she wouldn't have took the baby to the hospital, we would not have been able to find our daughter," Johnson's mother Darlene said. "She's going to be missed by everyone," her mother said. "Kia was a special child. An AP report indicated...

HARRISBURG -- As the pivotal 2006 legislative election season began, top Democratic House aides, using state resources, undertook a wide-ranging opposition research campaign into both Democratic and Republican office seekers, e-mails show. The project was spearheaded by Eric Webb, director of the Democratic Office of Member Services, who, on Jan. 31, sent e-mails to state employees advising them to begin digging up information on 35 declared and potential candidates for the state House. "We are mainly looking for bad things: liens, bankruptcies, homicides ... you get the picture," Mr. Webb advised a dozen House colleagues via their state e-mail accounts....

Honest Conservative welcomes our distinguished guest Mayor Lou Barletta, the Republican candidate for the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. His Honor has been a campion of citizens rights to a secure environment and fair government. We will discuss his campaign, its progress and the changing environment as it relates to illegal immigration, energy exploration and the failure of the democrat leaders to do their duty to protect the people they are sworn to protect. The importance of electing dyed in the wool conservatives to the House can not be overstated!

HARRISBURG -- If the grand jury is correct, the 12 people indicted in a sprawling political corruption case aren't just the center of a court battle. They're the opening shots of a cultural conflict. The grand jury empanelled by state Attorney General Tom Corbett portrayed Suite 626 in the state Capitol as the center of a taxpayer-financed political machine aimed at helping former Rep. Mike Veon and other House Democrats get re-elected. Allegations in the 90-page report, anticipated for more than a year by state lawmakers and their employees, are "a symbolic event of a much larger picture," said...

Those ever-vigilant, ever-principled, non-partisan politicos known as Democrats were caught with their hands in the cookie jar in Pennsylvania. Twelve of them, to be exact. Philly Daily News: A SORDID TANGLE of corruption, cash and sex rocked the Statehouse yesterday in a political scandal that left one current and one former legislator and 10 current and former staff members facing criminal charges. Among the accusations leveled by two state grand juries: Former top legislative staffer Mike Manzo got his lover, a twenty-something former rural beauty queen, a $29,000 job and $7,000 bonus mostly for doing her schoolwork. State Attorney General...

It's the top story in Pennsylvania. Twelve Democrat state leaders facing corruption charges in a massive scandal dubbed "Bonusgate." If it were twelve Republican state leaders, I guarantee you would have heard all about it by now. Via the Philly Daily News: A SORDID TANGLE of corruption, cash and sex rocked the Statehouse yesterday in a political scandal that left one current and one former legislator and 10 current and former staff members facing criminal charges. Among the accusations leveled by two state grand juries: Former top legislative staffer Mike Manzo got his lover, a twenty-something former rural beauty queen,...

"I believe we are witnessing the beginning of a new race of men" Anonymous British Officer after the Battle of Saratoga, 1777 This comment, made by a soldier now forgotten by history, was more prophetic and more significant than he probably realized at the time Here is the link to the rest Or click The Bulletin link: http://www.thebulletin.us/site/index.cfm?newsid=19842763&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=8

One signed all three bulwarks of the Republic. The other was second only to James Madison as the architect of the Constitution. Robert Morris and James Wilson were two of the most important, yet least publicized, of the Founding Fathers. Why has Philadelphia not commemorated some of its most important citizens? Wilson was according to American Heritage magazine, one of the most underrated Americans in history. Historian Gary Wills wrote, "A signer of the Declaration, a principal drafter of the Federal Constitution, the principal ratifier, and the profoundest theorist of it, Wilson is the least known of the Founding Fathers."...

Drawing the sharpest distinctions yet between himself and the man he hopes to replace, Sen. John McCain said Tuesday his presidency would focus on climate change issues, reducing federal spending, closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center and eliminating torture by the U.S. government. In a meeting with the Tribune-Review's editorial board, McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, said "spending got out of control" under the Bush administration. He blamed Congress for pushing spending and the administration for failing to halt it.

The Coatesville Police Department continues to receive reports of black city residents robbing, assaulting and raping Hispanic immigrants, according to Police Chief William Matthews. And, if the activity is not stopped, police say it could trigger the formation of violent Hispanic gangs as a type of cultural protection. With the city's black community, growing immigrant population - many of whom do not speak English - combined with the city's social issues, "It's not long before you have black-on-brown crime," said Matthews. "And we're seeing the beginning of that." Matthews, who first spoke publicly about the problem last fall, spoke candidly...

Church Youth Leader Accused Of Touching Girl, 13Group Leader Was Helping Girl With Sacrament Classes   NORRISTOWN, Pa. -- A youth group leader from a local church has been arrested, accused by prosecutors of inappropriately touching a 13-year-old girl. Video Report Members of the Carmel Presbyterian Church found it difficult to believe an employee there was arrested.   "I'm surprised, a little disappointed if it is true," Denise Bottinger, a church member, said.  Montgomery County prosecutors charged 61-year-old Norman Brooks with indecent assault. Investigators said Brooks inappropriately touched a 13-year-old girl.  Investigators said Brooks was the girl's church youth group leader...

Sen. Barack Obama did patriotism yesterday, today it is faith and by the end of the day both speeches will have been done in back-to-back states that swing: Missouri and Ohio. The Obama campaign said the Illinois senator plans to go to Zanesville, located in eastern Ohio, to visit a church program that provides food and clothing assistance to those in need.

DURAGI, Afghanistan -- Early morning, and 14 U.S. soldiers stand in a semi-circle for a mission briefing. Four Humvees, engines running, rumble beside them. "We're going to Warshallah today," Army Capt. Sam Karr, 28, of Manhattan, Kan., tells his platoon. "I guess it has, like, 200 bad guys in it. That's nothing, dudes -- we've got 14, so we're good."

By all accounts, Barack Obama should win this election. He and his brand control the image, the message and, to a large extent, the media of this election cycle. Yes, the media. He has enough money to buy ads every day from now to election day, glossy magazines cannot wait to put his image on their covers, Hollywood types are so smitten that they wear his image on their clothing and YouTube is bursting at the seams with homages to him. It is definitely his to win -- or to lose. It all hinges on two things: likability and character.

Sen. Barack Obama began a panel discussion at Carnegie Mellon University this morning with a bunch of really smart panelists from MIT, General Motors, AOL and the SEIU. Today marks Obama's first visit to the Steel City since April 21, the eve of the Pennsylvania primary; Obama won the city of Pittsburgh proper in the spring primary, but not the state.

You've probably gotten angry when you think some big company did you wrong. The NBC 10 investigators spoke with one local man who decided he had enough and he was going to tell the world about his experience. He was angry and wasn't going to take it anymore, but instead of going to his window and yelling, the Fishtown man decided on another way to let everyone know. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore," Avi Oslick said. In 1976, a fictional broadcaster in the movie "Network" told people to go to their window when...

Who knew that newbie Democrat congressman Jason Altmire (4th District) and Republican congressman Tim Murphy (18th District) would ever "town hall" together? The reason there are no answers is because there were none to be found. Today Murphy and Altmire sent out a news release announcing that they would host two joint town hall meetings together:

Go to http://my.barackobama.com/uniteforchange and enter zip code 18702 (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a city of 50,000 or so that is almost entirely blue collar DEMOCRATIC in terms of its politics). The map shows Unite for Change events within 50 miles. Unite for Change events in Wilkes-Barre: ZERO Unite for Change events in Scranton (90,000 people): ONE In other words, the Obama campaign could not find one single person in DEMOCRATIC Wilkes-Barre who would associate his or her name with this phony smile on top of an empty suit. In nearby Scranton, which also is blue collar Democrat, only one person was willing...

Obama ends swing state tour in the 'Burgh Pittsburgh Tribune-Review By Salena Zito Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama will conclude his three week swing-state-road trip in Pittsburgh Thursday by holding an "America's competitiveness in the global economy" summit at Carnegie Mellon University. An "A" list of attendees will participate in the summit, some of these brainiacs include: Richard Wagoner, chairman of General Motors, AOL founder Steve case, MIT president Susan Hockfield and Andy Stern president of SEIU, whose union committed to dropping over $85 million to be parsed out in states like Pennsylvania for the November election. While...

Hey, swing state Florida, I will not offshore drill The Sen. Barack Obama press machine issued this statement that Obama will deliver at his media avail this afternoon, in which he pledges (where have we heard that word before?) to keep the federal moratorium against offshore drilling in place: "When I am president, I will keep the moratorium in place and prevent oil companies from drilling off Florida's coasts," the statement reads. "That's how we can protect our coasts and still make the investments that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and bring down gas prices for good."

Bill and Jill Bill Burton, communications director extraordinaire for the Obama campaign reached out and touched someone today on the McCain campaign: his counterpart, Jill Hazelbaker. Here is the content of the email he sent out to reporters before the McCain conference call: “Jill – hope you’re well. We’d like to add our campaign counsel, Bob Bauer to your conference call with Trevor Potter so that we can arbitrate some of the disagreements that the two of them have over the meeting they recently had. If you can please shoot me the dial-in, Bob is available to join for the...

Of the eight Marines charged in connection with the battle of Haditha, six have had all charges dropped and one has been exonerated in a military court. The last Marine remains to face charges related to the handling of the incident. In our experience, Marines - including retired Marines - do the right thing. So we expect John Murtha to issue a serious, responsibility-taking apology to the eight Marines he publicly defamed following the battle. We expect it to look like this:I am sorry. I accused United States Marines in a wartime situation of "cold blooded murder" that I said...

Congressman Altmire hearts McCain PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW By Salena Zito Rep. Jason Altmire, whose congressional district went overwhelmingly for Sen. Hillary Clinton in the six-week primary that was Pennsylvania, kind of likes Republican presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain’s proposal to invest in nuclear energy and clean coal. Here is the statement that he released today on McCain’s proposal to construct 45 nuclear reactors by 2030 and spend $2 billion a year in federal funding on clean coal. “I have always been a strong supporter of nuclear energy and clean coal technology, and I welcome Senator McCain’s announcement today that he is...