Free Republic

When the news of the New Israel Fund (NIF) paying around $8 million to organizations that provided the Goldstone Report with all its condemnations of Israel, it was clear that the “New Israel” desired by the New Israel Fund is one with more than 9 years of consistent rocket fire. Our organization, Sderot Media Center (SMC), with a yearly budget of close to $200,000, worked tirelessly on a formal report that was requested by the Goldstone Commission itself, which encompassed the impact of the rocket fire on the residents of the Sderot region. We sent this formal report accompanied by...

Leaders of the Syriac Military Council, a Christian force that is part of the US- backed Syrian Democratic Forces fighting ISIS (Photo: Courtesy)The battle for Raqqa, the Syrian city serving as the “capital” of ISIS’ caliphate, has begun. You’d never know it from the media coverage, but a Christian force is taking part and is asking for U.S. support and prayers.The Syriac Military Council (SMC) and its female wing, the Bethnahrin Women Protection Forces (HSNB), have issued a press release announcing their participation in the offensive on Raqqa. The SMC is a part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a U.S.-backed,...

One of the militant Syrian rebel groups provided access to advanced U.S. missiles said that it is seeking “the return of all Syrian land occupied by Israel,” a stance that could potentially complicate U.S. military support to the armed rebel group. The leader of an official rebel group sanctioned by the Syrian Military Council and in possession of sophisticated U.S. arms expressed his opinion in an interview published over the weekend by the Syrian news organization Tahrir Souri. Ahmad Al-Sa’oud, who heads the rebel unit Division 13, was asked by the interviewer to explain “your stance, as an armed opposition...

Explanation: Where are the hottest stars in the nearest galaxies? To help find out, NASA commissioned its Earth-orbiting Swift satellite to compile a multi-image mosaic of the neighboring Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) galaxy in ultraviolet light. The above image shows where recently formed stars occur in the LMC, as the most massive of these young stars shine brightly in blue and ultraviolet. In contrast, visible in an image roll-over, a more familiar view of the LMC in visible light better highlights older stars. On the upper left is one of the largest star forming regions known in the entire Local...

The FY 2006 Department of Defense budget slashed funding for a number of military space programs. According to Aviation Week, the Transformational Satellite (TSAT) communications system was cut by $400 million, the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High was cut by $50 million, and the Space Radar Program lost $125.8 million. All together, that is a cut of over $575 million; as the late Senator Everett F. Dirksen might have said, at this rate pretty soon we are going to be talking about some real money. The cuts were hardly a surprise. The fact that a number of Air Force...

America's Titan rocket made its final launch today, blasting off from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base to haul a top-secret reconnaissance satellite into orbit. Liftoff of the 368th and last Titan occurred at 11:05 a.m. PDT (2:05 p.m. EDT; 1805 GMT).

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday dismissed the jeers and catcalls directed at him during a college commencement speech earlier this week, saying the protesters were inspired by unions who oppose his November special election. Schwarzenegger said he thought most of the 600 graduates at Santa Monica College were attentive and respectful Tuesday. "So these were all union people that were organizing this demonstration," he said on Fox's "The O'Reilly Factor." "It was not the students that were protesting. The students had great respect and they enjoyed my speech."

By Daniel Weintraub -- [Sacramento] Bee ColumnistPublished 2:15 am PDT Thursday, June 16, 2005 -- snip -- The governor, here to deliver a commencement address to 600 graduates at Santa Monica College, was greeted by hundreds of protesters, including a large handful of students and faculty who turned their backs throughout a 16-minute speech that was partially obscured by boos, whistles and catcalls from the audience... -- snip -- ...The protests were organized by ANSWER, a militant anti-war group whose members hand out socialist literature and chant things such as "Long live Lenin, long live Marx." Others marched in defense...

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's return to his alma mater turned into an exercise in perseverance when virtually his every word was accompanied by catcalls, howls and piercing whistles from the crowd. Schwarzenegger's face appeared to redden during his 15-minute commencement address Tuesday to 600 graduates at Santa Monica College, but he ignored the shouting as he recalled his days as a student and, later, his work as a bodybuilder and actor. "Always go all out and overcome your fears," he told the graduates. "Work, work, work. Study, study, study." Inside the stadium, the drone from hundreds of...

. Stumbling Schwarzeneggerby MARC COOPER [posted online on June 15, 2005]Santa Monica, California A new high-stakes political campaign initiated by embattled California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that seems destined to become a political battle involving organized labor from coast to coast has gotten off to a stumbling start. One day after he ordered a November 8 special election to pass a series of ballot initiatives, Schwarzenegger was jeered, heckled and loudly booed as he struggled to deliver a commencement address at Santa Monica College Tuesday evening. Several faculty members and at least two dozen graduating students stood with their backs to...

Schwarzenegger college speech draws boos in Calif. Wed Jun 15, 2005 12:41 AM ET By Gina Keating and Jim Christie SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger faced down booing, jeering protesters on Tuesday as he delivered a commencement address at his alma mater, where tuition has risen as a result of his budget cuts. Only a handful of graduates and faculty stood and turned their backs to the stage, but spectators in the bleachers at Santa Monica Community College's stadium kept up a steady and distracting patter of chants and whistles as Schwarzenegger, dressed in a black...

I'm posting this at RonDog's request, and to give a quick update on a successful FReep at SaMo City College -- the gang is still "networking" at the after-party, so photos should follow! Kudos to RonDog for organizing 20+ FReepers, plus some outstanding SaMo College Republicans who met at the corner of 16th and Pico in support of Governor Ahhnold, and to help counter the cancer from A.N.S.W.E.R. We had tons of media exposure -- all of the local TV stations, radio, and print outlets were there, and many interviewed folks from our side. We should see some of this...

Backers, Foes Await Governor at Local College More controversy for Governor Schwarzenegger as he comes to the Southland today to deliver a commencement address in Santa Monica. His visit comes the day after his call for special November election. (ABC7 EYEWITNESS NEWS FILE)SANTA MONICA — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will deliver the commencement address today at Santa Monica College, where two groups plan to protest his appearance while a third holds a rally to show it supports him.Schwarzenegger, who attended Santa Monica College from 1971-74, is expected to speak for 10-15 minutes to about 600 graduates and a capacity crowd...

Subject: FW: Schwarzenegger and the Santa Monica College Commencement To My Fellow Republicans, As a participant of the "Go For It Arnold" rally at the Santa Monica College Graduation Ceremony this coming week I was forwarded this interesting piece of planning by some insiders at the college. I hope this inspires some of you to come join us at 16th and Pico this Tuesday at 4pm to support Arnold while he speaks to the Graduates. I will have 30 "Go For It Arnold" t-shirts to give to the first people that show up. It starts at 4pm till 7pm. Call...

WONDERFUL NEWS! The forces of Darkness which had threatened to DISRUPT the graduation ceremonies and PREVENT Governor Schwarzenegger from delivering the commencement address atSANTA MONICA COLLEGE next Tuesday (6/14) and prevent the People of California from voting in a Special Election this November have FAILED, and their rally plans are now self-destructing. :o) Meanwhile, the "GOOD Guys" (that would be US!)are getting STRONGER every day! Please JOIN US at 4 pm, near at 16th and Pico, and help promote our POSITIVE message: "SUPPORT ARNOLD:LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!" Here is the CURRENT schedule of events, which is subject to chaange:4:00...

Years before making "The Terminator," Arnold Schwarzenegger was a young Austrian bodybuilder hitting the books at Santa Monica College, hungry to become a success. But the celebrity governor's plan to return to his alma mater next week to deliver a commencement address is turning into something less than a homecoming celebration. A faculty group declared that Schwarzenegger "threatened academic freedom." The Board of Trustees was asked to rescind the invitation. And protests that could attract hundreds of people from on and off campus are being organized around the governor's scheduled appearance on June 14.

TUESDAY, June 14 - 4 pm to 7 pm - on 16th, near Pico Blvd. x SUPPORT THE GRADUATES! - - - PROTECT THEIR EVENT! HELP US TO DEFEND SANTA MONICA COLLEGE GRADUATION CEREMONY from DISRUPTION by A.N.S.W.E.R.'s protest against GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SMC (Class of 1974) alumnus - SPEAKING at Graduation, and against the PEOPLE of California -- VOTING in the November SPECIAL ELECTION. Please JOIN US -- on TUESDAY (6/14) -- from 4 pm to 7 pm, ---> on 16th Street, south of Pico Blvd., in Santa Monica. <--- Help us counter "A.N.S.W.E.R." with QUESTIONS. Calm down...

. Posted on Sun, Jun. 05, 2005 For governor, criticism drowns out adoring screams By Tom Chorneau ASSOCIATED PRESSSACRAMENTO - During California's recall campaign and through much of his first year in office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's public appearances had the feel of a Hollywood premiere, marked by packs of adoring fans clamoring to see the megastar-turned-political phenom. Typical of the adulation was a rally at the state Capitol on the last day of the 2003 recall campaign, when Schwarzenegger stood beside Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider and faked playing guitar before hundreds of screaming supporters. These days, Schwarzenegger's public reception...

Corsair - News Issue: 5/25/05 Gov.'s Grad Speech DebatedBy Candis Welch Students and faculty members of Santa Monica College gathered Thursday in a heated debate on whether California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is a good choice for the 2005 Commencement speaker. Schwarzenegger, an SMC alumnus, will speak at this year's graduation on June 14. This has elicited a strong reaction from both sides of the issue, and some are concerned that activists are planning to disrupt graduation. Tempers flared as each side strongly debated the issue in LA 115. Media Credit: Marie-noel Jauffret At Santa Monica College last thursday, Tom...

Greetings all! My name is Tom Oster and I am the president of Santa Monica College Republicans. This year, we have been fortunate enough to get Governor Schwarzenegger to come to speak at our graduation commencement on June 14th. At the moment, however, Gov. Schwarzenegger is, as most of you probably know, being relentlessly pursued and hounded throughout the state by far-left groups, unions and other assorted characters. Faculty and staff on our campus, leftist on-campus groups and outside organizations are coordinating to protest and disrupt our graduation. We mean to oppose them and stand in support of our own...