Free Republic

This week marks the second anniversary of Benedict XVI’s papacy. Two years is but a blink of an eye in the history of this 2000 year-old institution. But it is enough to identify the particular lines being pursued by Catholicism’s theologian-pope. In one sense, the papacy’s role is eternal, whoever occupies Peter’s chair. It is to assist the Catholic Church in spreading the Christian message, to be the focus of unity for Catholics (particularly bishops) worldwide, and to explain and defend Catholicism’s essential teachings. For most people, that would seem more than enough to do. But each pope also brings...

·11250 Waples Mill Road ·   Fairfax, Virginia 22030    ·800-392-8683   The Stearns/Boucher Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Bill   H.R. 226, introduced by U.S. Representatives Cliff Stearns’ (R-Fla.) and Rich Boucher (D-Va.), would allow any person with a valid concealed firearm carrying permit or license, issued by a state, to carry a concealed firearm in any state, as follows: In states that issue concealed firearm permits, a state’s laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its borders. In states that do not issue carry permits, a federal "bright-line" standard would permit carrying in places other than police stations; courthouses; public...

Westerners sometimes assume that Europe and North America are always on the side of the angels when it comes to religious freedom, so that the “reciprocity” question dear to Pope Benedict XVI is largely a matter of bringing the Islamic world up to Western standards of tolerance and liberty. In fact, however, the reciprocity question can be complicated in the West too, in a way that certainly doesn’t escape the attention of Muslim eyes. The rubber hits the road in places such as the blue collar neighborhood of Cornigliano in the Italian port city of Genoa, where plans by Italian...

The latest example of Washington's disturbing tendency to do Mexico's bidding concerns the popular bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman, whom U.S. marshals arrested last month. Mr. Chapman's crime? In June 2003, he apprehended Andrew Luster in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where the convicted rapist had fled some five months earlier. Because of Mr. Chapman, Luster is now serving his 124-year sentence in California. We think this makes Mr. Chapman a hero; but the Mexican government says he's a criminal. Bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico. So, when Mr. Chapman brought Luster into custody in Mexico he too was detained. But after...

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has called for improved rights for Christians in Muslim countries. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor told the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies they should have the same freedoms as Muslims in countries such as Britain. He said the image of Islam was damaged when the religious rights of minorities in Muslim nations are denied. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor urged British Muslims to speak out on the issue. In Tuesday's lecture, he said : "Where Christians are being denied their rights, or are subject to Sharia law, that is not a matter on which...

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called on Islamic countries to safeguard Catholics living there and on both Muslims and Catholics to show 'mutual respect' towards each other. Addressing a Vatican conference on immigration to and from the Islamic world, Benedict said the Roman Catholic Church was 'committed' to interreligious dialogue. 'We are living at a time in which Christians are called to nurture an open style of dialogue on religious issues,' Benedict said. At the same time, 'we are increasingly aware of the importance of reciprocity' - a term used to indicate the need for Islamic countries...

The Mexican government said Tuesday it was stepping up security at detention centers for illegal Cuban migrants after a group of detainees fought police officers and held a guard against his will — the seventh uprising or mass escape by Cubans in a year. Officials also will deny political asylum to those involved in the latest conflict. "After these acts, changes will certainly have to be reviewed to increase the level of security" at immigration holding centers like the one in Mexico City where a dozen Cubans rioted and briefly took over the facilities Monday, presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar said....

21 February Civilian 'Minutemen' to Help Patrol Border This is the headline which caught my attention. The headline was on FoxNews.. I'm not one for vigilante-ism. No. However, I think they're on the right path. For far too long, the US government has hee'd and haw'd about "what to do." Well, it would look like some concerned citizens of the good ol' US remember back when there wasn't enough of a government to do anything. That brought the original "Minutemen." It's now full circle. Again, US citizens have said "enough is enough" and are taking an active position on the...

Rep. Hostettler to Introduce Concealed Carry Bill this Week-- Please urge your Rep. to cosponsor his bill Gun Owners of America8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102Springfield, VA 22151 (703)321-8585 Tuesday, March 8, 2005 Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN) will soon be reintroducing his national reciprocity bill that protects the right of citizens to carry their firearms into other states. Hostettler's language has a huge advantage over other reciprocity-type bills in that it does not punish states for being too pro-gun. His bill would not penalize citizens from states like Alaska and Vermont, because his proposal doesn't require a citizen to first...

The NH Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules approved new rules – now, someone with a valid license to carry from any state, not just their own home state, is eligible for a license in New Hampshire. (Before, only home state licensee's were eligible). Here is the link to the new "Chapter Saf-C 2100 Nonresident Pistol/Revolver License" rules: www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c2100.html For example: Florida offers a "shall issue" carry license to any U.S. citizen. With any one of those licenses anyone can get a New Hampshire carry license, even if one's home state does not issue (such as New Jersey). The application...

Though none were earth-moving adjustments, Virginia passed more pro-gun laws than any other state this spring — a statistic local lawmakers say verifies the commonwealth’s commitment to protecting the rights of its law-abiding gun owners. Legislators approved 15 pro-gun laws, spurring shouts of praise from the National Rifle Association. “This year was definitely a very good year for the Second Amendment in Virginia,” said NRA spokesperson Kelly Hobbs, noting the 15 new laws. The movement away from tightening gun-control laws is a reflection of the state’s stance on firearms, according to the area legislators. “I’m pretty cut and dry on...

On Friday, March 26, Governor Locke signed into law, SB 5083. SB 5083 is the "Reciprocity" bill by which Washington would recognize "Right-to-Carry" permits from states which recognize Washington concealed pistol licenses. This bill is the first step in getting more states to recognize Washington licenses. SB 5083 passed both the Senate and House with strong bi-partisan support. Please contact Governor Locke and thank him for signing SB 5083! You can contact the Governor at (360) 902-4111.

The following is an excerpt from the website: On April 29, 2002, Deputy Dave March was murdered on the streets of Los Angeles County. The suspected gunman then fled the Country to Mexico. It is believed by many that the Mexican Government has refused to extradite the suspected killer because he may be imprisoned for life or executed for the crime. The reason for this website is to bring to light the terrible problem Law Enforcement and United States Citizens face when criminals can flee to Mexico to be considered untouchable. Mexico's lack of cooperation has led to a suspected...

Archbishop of Sarajevo Urges Insistence on the Principle of Reciprocity SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina, OCT. 7, 2002 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- Cardinal Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Sarajevo, has been discussing with representatives of European episcopates the difficulty of coexistence with Islam. The cardinal has been the host of the plenary assembly of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). Here, he talks about the demands of relations with the Islamic world. Q: How are relations between Catholics and Muslims in Bosnia? Cardinal Puljic: Ten years ago, before the war, they were very good. However, from that moment, the situation has changed. The first sign was...

I pondered this while lying in my bed this morning. If he we still alive he would've put the proof out there by now. It isnt that difficult to get a video out in a timely manner. Anybody have any thoughts?

<p>Rep. Jeannette James, R-North Pole, said the change would also allow Alaskans to carry their weapons in more states, which will give them security while on vacation.</p> <p>"My personal opinion is people who are law-abiding should have the right to carry concealed if they want to," James said.</p>

Reciprocity the rule for driving permits March 27, 2002 The Korean National Police Agency announced Tuesday that it would apply a principle of international reciprocity in issuing driver's licenses. Beginning next year, drivers whose licenses were issued in countries not acknowledging Korean driver's licenses will be required to take an additional written test in order to obtain a Korean permit. Currently, only a simple medical check-up is required for drivers with foreign licenses to get a Korean license. That will continue to be the case for drivers from 52 countries including Canada, France and Germany. The United States, Japan and...