Free Republic

Citing the “dire threat” posed by uninvited intruders, the US Department of Homeland Security is recommending a substantial investment in improved fencing for the White House. “As it stands right now, hostile elements can easily breach the meager barrier that the current fence around the White House presents,” Secretary Jeh Johnson complained. “This is as grave a threat to our nation and its government as could exist. We must take steps to seal off the ease of ingress as a matter of national security.” Administration critics juxtaposed Johnson’s alarm over the inadequacy of the White House fence with his more...

Judge Arthur Schwab of the Western District of Pennsylvania ruled that portions of President Obama's unilateral action on illegal immigrants violate the US Constitution's separation of powers. “The alleged grounds of prosecutorial discretion are inadequate to support the totality of what he has tried to do,” Schwab said. “He can decline to prosecute these lawbreakers. That is the limit of his discretion. He does not have the authority to issue them identity papers that would make them eligible for employment or government benefits that existing law prohibits.” Democratic U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (Ill) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn) contend that Schwab...

I first heard of this when John Podhoretz tweeted about it and I thought, “Nope, John’s exaggerating. I wonder what Shep really said.” Then a bunch of other people tweeted that Podhoretz was right, so I thought, “Okay, but obviously a joke.” Then I watched the clip. Actual quote about an honest to goodness police state, no apparent irony intended: “The last thing they need is a Taco Bell and a Lowe’s.” Two ways to read that, I guess. One is that he’s objecting to having the wrong priorities, not to American businesses invading the island. Cubans need basic necessities,...

Illegal immigrant Jose Manuel Marino-Najera has filed suit against the US Border Patrol for dog bite injuries he sustained during his arrest. Marino-Najera was among a group of immigrants smuggling marijuana across the border. He is alleging that his human rights were violated. “Those border guards disobeyed their own President Obama,” Marino-Najera declared. “He says I have a right to go where I want. They should have given me food and water, not sicced their dogs on me.” Marino-Najera’s lawyer Susan Horschidt claims that “the trauma my client experienced has given him nightmares that have ruined his life. No amount...

President Obama taunted opponents of his executive action on illegal immigrants, boasting that "it's permanent. No one will be able to unravel it. I'm not just granting them immunity from prosecution for illegally residing in the United States. I'm giving them ID documents, work permits, and Social Security numbers. They'll have the paperwork making them indistinguishable from American citizens. They'll be working and living in our neighborhoods. Their kids will be going to your kids' schools. They'll be voting in our elections. Any efforts to reverse the rights I've bestowed will be punished at the polls." "Rather than embark on...

In research out of the University of Manchester in the UK led by Nobel Laureate Andre Geim, it has been shown that the one-atom-thick materials graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), once thought to be impermeable, allow protons to pass through them. The result, the Manchester researchers believe, will be more efficient fuel cells and the simplification of the heretofore difficult process of separating hydrogen gas for use as fuel in fuel cells. This latest development alters the understanding of one of the key properties of graphene: that it is impermeable to all gases and liquids. Even an atom as...

Milton Keynes is set to begin tests of the Lutz self-driving pods next year.The four English locations picked to test driverless cars have been named.Greenwich, in south-east London, and Bristol will each host a project of their own, while Coventry and Milton Keynes will share a third. The decision was announced by the quango Innovate UK, after George Osborne's Autumn Statement. The chancellor also announced an additional £9m in funding for the work, adding to the £10m that had been announced in July. The businesses involved will add further funds. Bristol will host the Venturer consortium, which aims to investigate...

I do not write reviews, generally.  It has to be a product that I am going to use.  I needed a good set of sunglasses for shooting and motorcycle riding. I came across the ESS display at the 2014 Shot Show.  They had several of their products that had withstood being hit with number 6 shot at 10 yards.  This is a standard test required for them to be issued as military gear.   These dimples on the glasses are from number six shot.  It did not penetrate.  ESS calls their products eyeshields, and that is a better description...

As reported LifeNews a source in the airport of Igarka, state of emergency happened to the liner the day before in the morning. Before take-off stem of thermometer fell to-52 degrees therefore the chassis froze to a surface of an airfield, without allowing the plane to leave on a runway and to make dispersal.

In the face of nearly two dozen videos of him saying he lacked legal authority to unilaterally enact immigration reform, President Obama went ahead and did so, citing a “higher authority.” “As President of the United States, I felt myself hemmed in by the limitations placed on the office by the US Constitution,” Obama admitted. “As a human being, though, I could not bear the continuing injustice inflicted on the people who have entered this country illegally.” “My dilemma was how to reconcile the guidelines of an aging framework for a nation's government and the call of my conscience,” Obama...

President Obama's decision to enact immigration reform legislation that Congress has refused to enact inspired some lavish praise from fellow Democrats. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) called it "a courageous first step. President Obama's determination to take a politically unpopular position so soon after voters elected a Republican dominated Congress stakes out new ground in the battle for control over the government and policy." "It's important that we build upon the President's innovation and transform our nation from the archaic plan of trying to extract policy from a fragmented legislative body, where no one has a mandate for governing,...

It’s been some time since Roy Clark could bound out onto a stage like a puppy just turned loose, brandishing an electric guitar and a joyous smile, ready to captivate a crowd with his personality and talent. Friday night, it took him a number of slow and careful steps, and the assistance of a cane and a couple of colleagues, to make his way to a chair on the small stage of Tulsa’s Spotlight Theater. Once he settled himself, Clark said, “I have to be careful I don’t...,” and he gave audience a comically knowing look, “...make an entrance. Which...

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) is crosswise with President Obama over the proper sequence of events regarding amnesty for illegal immigrants. “I have implored the President to forestall taking any executive action to legalize these undocumented residents until after we get Republican cooperation on next year's budget,” Reid said. “My advice has been to get the money first. Then he can do whatever he wants on amnesty. There'd be no way the GOP could stop him.” Reid complained that “all my sensible arguments seem to be falling on deaf ears. The President says he doesn't need Congress to...

There was China's president, Xi Jinping, Russia's president Vladimir Putin to his right, next to Philippine president Aquino and the uberwealthy Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah. And then there is Barack Obama, right in the middle of the "wives club"...

Though he did leave open the option of signing an amnesty bill passed by Congress, President Obama vowed to “go it alone if they don’t give me what I want.” New York politicians Senator Charles Schmer (D) and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) endorsed using a Presidential Executive Order to accomplish immigration reform. “Even if a GOP controlled Congress were to pass an immigration reform bill it is bound to be cluttered with unessential, un-American add-ons like enhanced border security, deportation of criminals and the like,” Schumer warned. “These types of restrictions tarnish America as a beacon...

Been pitched while in the backseat of a car service? That may be because 60 percent of Lyft drivers also had jobs (or aspirations for one) in the entertainment industry.Before passengers exit from the back of Jerry terHorst's Honda Civic, he makes sure to hand them his card. "Future Famous Actor," it says in block letters. Then, if he gets the chance before they make it to the curb, he tells them about the web series he's working on with his roommate. "I don't want to be that L.A. guy who's like, 'Oh, my web series ...' " he says....

The shape of things to come on planet "progressive."

EBOLA and STATES RIGHTS I am not joking - we have to force obama's hand - we have to force the Federal Government into stopping issuance of visas to residents of the West African Ebola Stricken Nations.. Texas and all other states should invoke States Rights to protect the citizens of their respective states... Since obama and his minions will not protect Americans by ceasing issuance of visas to all residents of West Africa Ebola stricken countries - thus allowing entry of potentially Ebola infected people into our country and in turn into each State... Then each State should invoke...

* First Sargent Albert Marle boarded plane wearing a jacket lined with medals * Asked US Airways attendant if she could hang up his 'Dress Blues' uniform * But she reportedly refused, saying coat closet was for first-class fliers only * Outraged passengers offered Sgt Marle their seats, but he politely declined * After fliers spoke of the incident online, social media users hit out at airline * US Airways has since apologized and launched investigation into incidentUS Airways has sparked outrage after a flight attendant allegedly refused to hang up an Army Ranger and combat veteran's jacket to stop...

An email has been making the rounds for at least 3-4 years which claims the world's best airport security team at Ben Gurion, Israel has deployed a next generation 'simple solution' for a complex problem... Namely, a special bomb-proof security booth that requires passengers to enter with sealed-doors behind them, as an electronic device detonates any explosives they may have on their person (better hope you left that Bic lighter in the tray!). And although some seemed to have bought into it, the truth is that the story was long-ago disproven -if Snopes is to be believed, anyway. I've never travelled...