Free Republic

We have learned that FReeper jonesat has passed away. Here's a message I received from his dear wife, Debbie: Jim - thank you for your personal response! I admit I was surprised to get your email as I know you have thousands of readers. Andrew passed away in March at the age of 48 after a 13 year fight with a rare form of cancer (leiomyosarcoma). He was a true warrior, conservative and patriot. He was an Army officer (Major) when he was diagnosed, and after he was medically retired, worked for the Army first as a contractor then as...

Last summer, a photo of a man cradling his elderly dog in Lake Superior pierced the hearts of millions. Schoep, a shepherd mix who turned 20 on June 15, passed away on Wednesday, but his image will remain a lasting tribute to the deep and loving bond that can run between humans and their canine companions. Owner John Unger posted a brief Facebook statement on Thursday, saying, "I breathe but I can't catch my breath...Schoep passed yesterday."

Douglas Engelbart, whose invention of the mouse transformed the way people interact with computers, has died. Engelbart died Tuesday night at his home in Atherton, California, SRI International -- the research institute where he once worked -- said in a statement. He was 88. "Doug's legacy is immense — anyone in the world who uses a mouse or enjoys the productive benefits of a personal computer is indebted to him," Curtis R. Carlson, SRI's president and CEO, said in a written statement. Decades ago, Engelbart came up with the idea we now know as a mouse. His first prototype, which...

Maryland man struck by train was wearing earbuds, didn’t hear its horn: police Kevin Scott Street, 37, was killed by a CSX freight train in Joppa, Md., on Thursday. Authorities said he turned at the last minute, but it was too late. A 37-year-old man who was killed by a train in Joppa, Md., didn’t hear it barreling down the tracks because he was tuned in to his earbuds rather than his surroundings, police said. Kevin Scott Street, of Aberdeen, Md., was hit by a 20-car freight train around 12:11 p.m. on Thursday. The train sounded its horn as it...

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Eight days after allegedly being sexually battered while passed out at a party, and then humiliated by online photos of the assault, 15-year-old Audrie Pott posted on Facebook that her life was ruined, "worst day ever," and hanged herself. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/3-teens-arrested-for-assault-after-girl-s-suicide-4428419.php#ixzz2QEgRMUfH

Annette Funicello, the most popular Mouseketeer on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” who matured to a successful career in records and ’60s beach party movies but struggled with illness in middle age and after, died Monday, The Walt Disney Co. said. She was 70. She died peacefully at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, Calif., of complications from multiple sclerosis, the company said. Funicello stunned fans and friends in 1992 with the announcement about her ailment. Yet she was cheerful and upbeat, grappling with the disease with a courage that contrasted with her lightweight teen image of old. The pretty, dark-haired Funicello...

One of the UK Telegraph's in-house Labourites, Dan Hodges, urged his comrades on the Left to maintain their dignity in the wake of Margaret Thatcher's death earlier today:   Everyone on the Left is being scrutinised today. Does the compassion we claim to be our driving force extend to the passing of a frail 87-year-old woman? Does the Labour movement’s dignity and discipline enable us to mark with appropriate solemnity the death of a former Prime Minister who successfully secured three independent mandates from the people? Do we have the basic good grace and wisdom to set aside – for...

Rush Limbaugh said this morning that many thought it was a coincidence that three strong leaders who were able to beat back the evils of the world during their time could be on the same stage at the same time. He disagreed.I do too.I hope Lady Tatcher is finding the peace that was never afforded to her in this life by miserable liberals who now dance on her grave.

Ex-Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher diesBreaking news Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher has died at 87 following a stroke, her spokesman has said. Lord Bell said: "It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning." Baroness Thatcher was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990. She was the first woman to hold the post. Her family is expected to make a further statement later.

CHICAGO (AP) — Roger Ebert, the most famous and most popular film reviewer of his time who also became the first journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize for movie criticism, and on his long-running TV program, wielded the nation's most influential thumb, died Thursday. He was 70. Ebert, who had been a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, died early Thursday afternoon at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, his office said. He had announced on his blog Wednesday that he was undergoing radiation treatment after a recurrence of cancer.

On the day after Easter, 2013, family, friends and FReepers from far and wide packed The Sweeney Funeral Home to share tears and the many tales of Doctor Raoul’s adventures in the cause of Theodore Roosevelt’s Americanism: “Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity and hardihood – the virtues that made America.” In his tribute to Doctor Raoul, Kristinn relates from personal experience how Doctor Raoul lived his Americanism. Even though Doctor Raoul didn’t appear from behind a door and shout “April Fool”, his presence was everywhere. The 1957 Chevy hearse parked out front; the Philly soft...

We lost AGreatPer last year. He passed away in August. He was 73.His passing was missed as his wife, who would have notified FR, had preceded him in death.He last posted in July, 2012. AGreatPer was a D.C. Chapter stalwart who traveled from Pennsylvania numerous times to stand with us outside the Clinton White House, Cheney's House, troop support rallies, counter-demonstrations of anti-American leftists and our six-year-long Walter Reed vigil.AGreatPer had a great personality, he was a pleasure to be around at a freep and at our after-freep lunches and dinners.Trueblackman, BufordP and AGReatPer at Walter Reed, October 8, 2010.

Doctor Raoul died Saturday of a rare form of cancer. He was 58. Raoul's family contacted us this morning to see if they could find out more about his activities as an activist. This is such a shock. His family is looking for photos and stories about him. He is and always will be a Free Republic icon. He kind of fell off the face of the earth about 2 or 3 years ago now. All attempts we made to reach him failed. If you have photos please contact me. Please feel free to post stories and I will make...

Peter Banks, a founding member of the British progressive rock band Yes and its original guitarist, has died at his home in London. He was 65. A statement on Banks’ website said he died on March 7 and was found in his home after he failed to show up for a recording session. …

Mindy McCready, who hit the top of the country charts before personal problems sidetracked her career, has died. She was 37. Waren Olmstead, the coroner in Cleburne County, Ark., said in a statement McCready died Sunday apparently of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy is pending. Just last month David Wilson, McCready’s boyfriend and the father of her 9-month-old son Zayne, was found dead on the same porch where McCready's body was found. His death also was investigated as a suicide. McCready entered court-ordered rehab earlier this month after her father told a judge she was no longer taking...

FReeper Rogle, former New Mexico State Representative Rory Ogle, will be removed from life support this morning. He is not expected to live.

It is with deep sadness and regret that I report the passing Wednesday morning of FReeper Eastbound (Dave Schultz). In an email to Jim Robinson, Dave's son said: Hello, I’m Dave’s son, Ken. I’m so sorry to say the Dave “Eastbound” passed away Wednesday morning. I know Free Republic was one of his favorite forums, so if anyone might want to know that he’s gone, please pass it on if you would. Thank you, sincerely. Dad spent many many hours at FR for years. ~ Ken Schultz Prayers and condolences can be sent to Ken at ken@apachego.com.

Yellow Rose of Texas is in the hospital for surgery. The odds are not in her favor, this all I know now. I will post more when I know.

It is with great sadness and regret that I post: Joseph Phillips OD, aka “BadJoe,” passed away today, November 1, 2012, after a long illness. Joe wanted to hang on until November 7, 2012, but lost his struggle just a few days too early. Joe was a patriot, a lover of liberty, and an independent-minded gentleman. He leaves behind family, friends, and a loving wife. He will be missed. RIP BadJoe.