Free Republic

McALLEN - Law enforcement officials and city leaders from across the Rio Grande Valley are preparing for what they say could result in tense moments or violence. Officials say they received word that members of a militia are threatening to block ports of entry. In Starr County, international bridge authorities met with Customs and Border Protection officials Thursday. Their goal was to discuss the potential problem and find a plan of action. Starr County has international bridges in Rio Grande City, Roma and Falcon Dam. Officials received word that members of a militia plan to protest illegal crossings by blocking...

Assyrian Christians are standing with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) after he was booed for his support of Israel by some Middle East Christians gathered in Washington, D.C. Wednesday at an event hosted by an organization called "In Defense Of Christians."

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is raising objections to a school district pilot program that encourages kids to eat meatless lunches once a week. The pilot program at the Drippings Springs School District offers meat-free lunch options every Monday to students in its three elementary schools. Students can still eat meaty meals on Mondays, but must bring their lunches from home. Among the food items offered to students this Monday were a black-bean burrito, vegetarian chili with cornbread, baby carrots and sliced peaches. On past Mondays, students could choose cheese sandwiches, cheese ravioli, spinach salad and vegetarian soups. John Crowley,...

The FBI is accusing Texas Democrats of using cocaine to buy votes and it’s all coming out in court. Political chicanery and vote-buying in Texas are as old as the state itself, and the latest episode to come to light features purchasing votes with cocaine, marijuana, money, cigarettes and beer, an on-going FBI investigationhas uncovered. Two political operatives of a Hidalgo County Commissioner’s campaign manager were charged on Thursday with vote-buying before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Ormsby, The Monitor reported. The arrests are the latest twist in an 18-month investigation focusing on the 2012 primary election for County Commissioner.

Here's a transcript — edited for length and clarity — of The Texas Tribune's in-depth interview with land commissioner candidate George P. Bush, in which he lays out his positions on environmental policy. Texas Tribune: Commissioner [Jerry] Patterson has talked about, as part of his legacy, promoting the development of renewable energy on some of [the] land [managed by the General Land Office, or GLO] … that’s a way of diversification, and you never know what’s going to happen to the price of natural gas or with the shale boom. Is that something that you’re interested in and plan to...

The Border Patrol has had strict policies about the firing of weapons for decades.    In the most famous recent case, Border patrol agent Brian Terry was killed in a firefight in which the Patrolman used less lethal "bean bag" rounds.    Border Patrol agents I have talked to have always said that the mere presence of a weapon is not enough to justify shooting at someone.   This makes sense, because most people in the United States can legally possess weapons, and because the law is clear on what is required to justify the use of deadly force.   The mere...

During the last media push for laws to disarm the population, NRA executive VP Wayne LaPierre said that a good guy with a gun is what is needed to stop a bad guy with a gun.   A recent shooting outside the Harry Stone Montessori school in Dallas is a perfect illustration of his point.  In this case, an armed citizen was present.   He happened to be an off duty police officer.   The "Gun Free School Zone" law would have worked perfectly to assure the attacker of an unarmed victim if the legally armed citizen had not been...

We’re going to have to be the skunk at the party, the rain on the parade – again. Our mission necessitates – absolutely requires – that we raise issues certain politicians and some of their supporters don’t want raised. This will no doubt make some people angry, but we invite then to review the facts, which are a matter of public record. This is a time for clear-headed thinking – not lemming-like “over the cliff” emotion and reaction. While many have rushed to defend Governor Rick Perry on the surface matter of the indictment alone, we are compelled to talk...

With the news of Governor Perry’s indictment going viral, the Public Integrity Unit (PIU) of the Travis County District Attorney’s office is once again shaking up Texas politics, though more indirectly than it has in the past. The agency has been the bane of politicians for 30 years, and routinely comes under fire from Republicans for its supposed partisanship. How did this branch of municipal law enforcement in a deep sea-blue Democratic county come to carry such influence in a ruby-red state? Is it time, as many conservative say, to rein in the rogue outfit and place its duties somewhere...

In a previous article, I mentioned that I was doing a favor by moving a lady and her possessions across the country.   The trip became a bit more memorable near the end.   In the last hundred miles before the drop off point, I was informed that a prominent outlaw motorcycle gang  had found out that she had been in Arizona, and now knew that she was moving back to the Midwest.   I was told that she had been instrumental in putting one of the officers of the group in prison for a few years.   I was assured that...

A group representing young immigrants is planning to take over the Houston office of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Thursday, to protest Cruz’s attempts to stop immigration reform from passing in Congress.

Dozens of volunteers packed up several cars filled with everything from food and diapers to clothing. With thousands of children at the border, Reverend Lisa Saunders says these items are in short supply.

Texas Rep. Joaquín Castro on Monday said Gov. Rick Perry is “militarizing our border” with his reported decision to deploy state National Guard troops there. “We should be sending the Red Cross to the border not the National Guard to deal with this humanitarian crisis,” the Democratic congressman said in an email. “The children fleeing violence in Central America are seeking out border patrol agents. They are not trying to evade them. Why send soldiers to confront these kids?” Militarizing our border is the wrong response to the arrival of children,” Castro continued. “I remain hopeful that our state can...

On July 9th 2014 President Obama made a visit to Dallas Texas for two reasons.   The first reason was fundraising, the second reason was to meet with Governor Rick Perry and “Faith Leaders” to discuss the border crisis....The impression intended would be that President Obama just met with a bunch of religious organizational heads, perhaps priests, pastors and ministers.  Along with “faith based” advocates who are helping to deal with the immediate needs of the illegal aliens, unaccompanied minors, and the larger “border crisis”.You would be wrong.To avoid my calling our President of The United States a liar, I will instead say President Obama is being...

Most defensive shootings do not occur in four star hotels.   But on the 6th floor of the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio last Saturday, the 12th of July, there was an exception. An occupant of the hotel, Moises Torres, 34, is said to have been creating a disturbance in the hallway, breaking light fixtures and banging on doors, saying "he was looking for someone to kill".  At least one person called security.   When the CHL (concealed handgun license) permit holder thought Torres was gone, he opened his door.   He reported that Torres charged him and the...

A former administrator of a private, special needs school in Carrollton has been arrested on sexual assault charges. David Green, 66, a resident of Wills Point, was arrested by Carrollton police on Thursday. Green, who served as a teacher at St. Anthony School from 1998 to 2010, was charged with four counts of sexual assault with a child and one count of indecency with a child. An additional sexual assault charge is pending. The St. Anthony School describes itself as a "private, therapeutic school" that serves students with Asperger's syndrome, spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, high functioning autism, anxiety and attention...

We know this is a planned invasion... But Boehner (Boner) has beat the drum of 'Obama does not uphold or enforce the law." Hint hint: Obama really, truly doesn't... But... The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act Of 2008 will either be "upheld" and "enforced" by Obama - or it won't. Under it, certain children under this Act are placed under the care of the Dept of Health and Human Services, are given the least restrictive environment, are given an attorney and can plead their case before a judge to stay in the U.S. And GWB signed this into...

At this time of year in Arizona, I open carry.   I was in a McDonald's, drinking coffee and using the Internet when I considered how ordinary this all was, and how much heat was being put on Open Carry Texas for merely working to obtain the same freedoms in Texas.   Freedoms that are part of the law in most states of the union, somewhere around 44 states, at last count.  It was particularly surprising how much of the heat was coming from within the gun culture.  So I decided to stand with Texas.   I saw a gentleman who did...

The marketing expertise of Moms Demand Action has created a media campaign to demonize the open carry of long guns, especially in Texas.   Shannon Watts, who heads MDA is a longtime professional at creating media campaigns:  She is not just Suzy Homemaker or some low-grade employee at a small company but a heavy Public relations hitter, savvy on the ways of media manipulation and making her clients look good. Basically she “grows” astroturf for a living. Open carry activism in Texas has become so effective that both Governor candidates have endorsed the legalization of the open carry of handguns,...

The Obama administration claimed Sunday that illegal immigrants flooding across the border from Central America are not dangerous, despite numerous reports of gangsters and criminals being apprehended at the border.