Free Republic

With a dreary predictability, Senator Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) shared with yesterday’s Senate hearing his “fire in a theater” argument for gun control. Schumer, as anyone who follows his exploits will be aware, is fond of this line. Adumbrating his opposition to the allegedly pernicious influence of Citizens United, the senator made the underlying point explicit: “I believe there ought to be limits because the First Amendment is not absolute. No amendment is absolute.” In an op-ed on December 23 of last year, he moved his attentions a little farther down the Bill of Rights: “While the First Amendment...

RS MEMBER DIARY So Now It’s Sexist for Wanting Women to Own A Gun…Even If It’s A Woman Advocating For Women To Own A Gun Alex Wagner, Though Pretty, and Sincere in Her Liberalism, Is Headcrushingly Ignorant By: tomjeffersonsghost (Diary) | January 30th, 2013 at Alex Wagner on tweeted that Gail Trotter’s testimony during the hearing on gun violence was sexist, no breathtakingly sexist because of her advocating for women to own guns. At which time, upon my reading the tweet, I had to un-follow her. It was difficult I must admit because she’s on my top twenty most attractive...

Pressure is mounting for the release of an Afghan Red Cross worker who was arrested last summer for converting to Christianity. The worker, Said Musa, 46, who left Islam roughly eight years ago, was arrested in May. A father of six, he lost a leg to a land mine and was working to help other amputees when he was arrested. [Musa has been] threatened with death if he does not renounce his faith. "Since his arrest, Mr. Musa has experienced beatings, sexual assault and sleep deprivation. Our current administration appropriately condemned this kind of treatment of our own terror...

The American Revolution was over. The United States of America was finished. The Continental Army was all but finished in December 1776 as the British and their Hessian (German) mercenary allies settled in for a long winter rest. In those days, it was customary that armies rest and refit in the winter months in preparation for the campaign seasons of spring and summer. And the British were all about custom and tradition. No matter, thought the British. They saw little need to move directly against Washington's army and risk further casualties. The Continental Army was disintegrating. Unpaid, ill-equipped, cold, and...

Oh, how I would love to wish you all a happy Independence Day. That's the name for this holiday, by the way, Americans. It's not just the Fourth of July. It's not just the day we shoot off Chinese-made fireworks. It's not just the day we barbecue burgers. It's not just the day we go to the beach. It's Independence Day – so named because on or about this date in 1776, a group of courageous men risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for a dream of freedom and sweet autonomy from an imperial power.

There will always be those who are easily seduced by the offer of wealth and unlimited power. But one of the lessons we can glean from an unflinching look at history and human nature is that power-lust inevitably trumps greed. The power to harm others – and to harm others without consequence - is irresistible to a profoundly evil subset of humanity. Real trouble begins when such people acquire power.  So here’s a bold assertion that many of you will dismiss out of hand: there are those in government - and those who seek control of your government -...

Dear Ms. Tiz: Thank you for writing regarding the American Clean Energy and Security Act, H.R. 2454. This legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives on June 26, 2009, and now awaits action in the U. S. Senate. I voted in support of this legislation to move the process forward and help our region realize the benefits of advancing clean energy technology, while at the same time recognizing that areas for improvement still exist. I appreciate your taking the time to express your specific views, as it will help guide our debate and facilitate important changes to H.R. 2454 as...

The beauty thing about bein a real dummy, unlike those fighting this same battle, getting the truth out and are on the front lines, facing the government head on with the facts and figures, is that this dummy " the common tater" , can say whatever I want however I want without worryin about bein politically correct, and this next piece is me doin exactly that ! Still legal so far. If ya feel ya have to attack what I have to say, well... go ahead and fire off a salvo if ya want! One of the benefits of admittin...

In his election-night victory speech, Barack Obama said he would be a president for all Americans, not just those who voted for him. But as a candidate he didn't campaign with equal vigor for every vote. Instead, he and John McCain devoted more than 98% of their television ad spending and campaign events to just 15 states which together make up about a third of the U.S. population. Today, as the Electoral College votes are cast and counted state-by-state, we will be reminded why. It is the peculiar mechanics of that institution, designed for a different age, that leave us...

Editorial The Limits of Property Rights Published: June 24, 2005 The Supreme Court's ruling yesterday that the economically troubled city of New London, Conn., can use its power of eminent domain to spur development was a welcome vindication of cities' ability to act in the public interest. It also is a setback to the "property rights" movement, which is trying to block government from imposing reasonable zoning and environmental regulations. Still, the dissenters provided a useful reminder that eminent domain must not be used for purely private gain.

Dear Freepers,I'm getting old and perhaps a little wacky but as I look back over my life I continue to try and understand how my country hasn't quite turned out the way my mother and father brought me up to believe it should be and what it was I was always raised to defend. So I've started making a list of those things that just seem to represent a betrayal of what I always thought America is about...freedom. Its a short list, I'm still working on it and I know many, if not most, will not agree with everything on...