Free Republic

Leaders of the Tea Party Express have announced their endorsement of Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 Special Election for Congress. In addition, the chief sponsor of the Tea Party Express, the Our Country Deserves Better political action committee, has announced it will be making a financial contribution to Hoffman's campaign. "The Republican candidate in this race is emblematic of all that's wrong in Washington right now. The Democrat candidate is even worse. In contrast, Doug Hoffman has been a stalwart advocate for the conservative values of lower taxes, limited government and less government spending. We enthusiastically endorse him,"...

In January 1999, in a Columbia Law Review article, a plan was presented for changing public health laws. A similar plan appeared in an American Journal of Public Health article was published in September 2001, but was accepted for publication in March 2001. It was titled "The Model State Emergency Health Powers Act". It gives state public health officials broad, new police powers--to control epidemics of infectious diseases during public health emergencies. The model legislation defines "infectious disease" as "a disease caused by a living organism." The October 23, 2001, proposal stresses that "an infectious disease may or may not...

Sponsored by Operation Gratitude, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute recently rolled into Southern California, and founder Don Allen shares why honoring, respecting and remembering America's heroes remains his biggest priority. On Crap of Bull, the KGB also has more than a few words for Target and those who would strong-arm their Halloween division.

WASHINGTON - During consideration of H.R. 3126, legislation to establish a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA), Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee voted to pass an amendment offered by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) that will make ACORN eligible to play a role in setting regulations for financial institutions. The Waters amendment adds to the CFPA Oversight Board 5 representatives from the fields of "consumer protection, fair lending and civil rights, representatives of depository institutions that primarily serve underserved communities, or representatives of communities that have been significantly impacted by higher-priced mortgages" to join Federal banking regulators in advising the...

The White House Friday highlighted a new multi-million-dollar technology fund for Muslim nations, following a pledge made by President Barack Obama in his landmark speech to the Islamic world. The White House said the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) had issued a call for proposals for the fund, which will provide financing of between 25 and 150 million dollars for selected projects and funds. The Global Technology and Innovation Fund will "catalyze and facilitate private sector investments" throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the White House said in a statement. Eligible projects would advance economic opportunity and create...

The big screen, flat panel TVs that so recently hung on the walls of the Moose Lake sex offender program will soon be enjoyed by patients at veterans homes across the state. In a move designed to put an end to an embarrassing episode for a cost-conscious administration, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Friday that at least 14 of the two dozen sets will go to veterans homes in Minneapolis, Fergus Falls, Hastings and Silver Bay. Jon Skillingstad, the administrator of the veterans home in Fergus Falls, said the new televisions will be a welcome addition. "We can easily make use...

Just how effective has Sarah Palin’s intervention in the NY23 special election been? Douglas Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate that got Palin’s endorsement, raised $116,000 in a single day, according to a source within the campaign. The source told me to refer back to Chris Cillizza’s coverage of the race at the Washington Post blog The Fix, which noted that Hoffman had raised $210,000 … over the course of a week. Stacy McCain confirmed this with another source in the campaign. He has a few updates as well on Democratic fundraising in the contest. If nothing else, this confirms the...

Video of Philip Spooner, an 86-year-old D-Day veteran who spoke at a Maine Judiciary Committee meeting in favour of gay marriage. He said: I am here because of a conversation I had last June, when I was voting. The woman at my polling place asked me, do I believe in equality for gay and lesbian people. I was pretty surprised to be asked a question like that. It made no sense to me. Finally I asked her: what do you think I fought for in Omaha Beach? He says that he and his late wife of 54 years had four...

For the life of me I cannot see any logical reason for the intense hatred the left has for Sarah Palin. As I wrote yesterday, not one of the members of the mushy-brained sect has seen her in person, much less had enough time with her to form a reasonable opinion of her character, but still they manage to place her into the same category as a Simon Legree or worse. For you lefties, Mr. Legree was the brutal slave owner and taskmaster in Harriet Beecher’s book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Try reading something other than eastern philosophy sometime; you’ll open...

From her facebook page:Support Doug Hoffman Today at 5:28pm The people of the 23rd Congressional District of New York are ready to shake things up, and Doug Hoffman is coming on strong as Election Day approaches! He needs our help now.Major ground breaking movements and tides that turn the course of history are begun by shaking the very foundations of those who hold and control the institutions of power. Whether it was a lone monk posting a thesis on the doors of the Roman Catholic Church, a single lone woman refusing to move to the back of the bus, or...

The congresswoman takes sides against a Republican candidate, and rumor is the former governor may too. As a rule, special elections held to fill open congressional seats aren't the most exciting events. But the campaign in New York's 23rd congressional district is starting to get pretty interesting, with an intra-party squabble on the Republican side of things getting more juice by the day. The district leans Republican, and the seat has been in the GOP's hands to this point -- the race is being held because Rep. John McHugh resigned when President Obama named him secretary of the Army. But...

THE WEEKLY STANDARD just received a statement from Sarah Palin endorsing conservative Doug Hoffman for Congress: The people of the 23rd Congressional District of New York are ready to shake things up, and Doug Hoffman is coming on strong as Election Day approaches! He needs our help now. The votes of every member of Congress affect every American, so it's important for all of us to pay attention to this important Congressional campaign in upstate New York. I am very pleased to announce my support for Doug Hoffman in his fight to be the next Representative from New York's 23rd...

No, I didn't write this. I wish I did. Because it's the painful truth. And you know how much I love to stir the puddin'. This list was actually forwarded to me from a friend of mine … Ain't this the truth? If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one. If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed. If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't` eat meat. If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone. If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat...

 GIANT KICKOFF FOR TEA PARTY EXPRESSIN SAN DIEGO & LOS ANGELES THIS SUNDAY - OCTOBER 25TH (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA) - The Tea Party Express II (www.TeaPartyExpress.org) launches this Sunday with a giant kickoff rally in San Diego and a subsequent rally later in the day in Los Angeles.   The Tea Party Express II: Countdown to Judgment Day national tour will span 19 days, rallies in 38 cities, and cover more than 7,000 miles.  The tour marks the one-year point from the 2010 elections when numerous members of Congress will be targeted for defeat, as a result of their support of higher deficits,...

Oct. 20: President Obama shakes hands with Capt. John Poindexter in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. For Army Capt. John Poindexter, being awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for heroism Tuesday marked an "opportunity to close a chapter" in his life. "The general feeling is a pretty intense level of excitement," Poindexter told Foxnews.com just before he and 85 other Vietnam veterans were honored at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. "It will mean to me that I've filled an important duty to the men who I literally owe my life to, men who...

Only 2 other days have been worse for the PAI since taking office... Tuesday shows that 28% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12. The Approval Index rating has been lower only on two days since the current President took office. Approval rating history... This was that same chart on his Approval Index in January after taking office

MILWAUKEE - Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will speak in a Milwaukee suburb next month as part of a program presented by Wisconsin Right to Life. Officials say no tickets will be sold at the door of the Nov. 6 event at Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis. General admission tickets are $30 with a limit of four per order. Palin's stop in Milwaukee comes 11 days before the former Alaska governor's memoirs will be released.

History Unfolding I am a student of history. Professionally, I have written 15 books on history that have been published in six languages, and I have studied history all my life. I have come to think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is simply a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Yes these exist, but they are merely single facets on a very large gemstone that is only now coming into a sharper focus. Something of historic proportions is happening. I can sense it because I know how it feels,...

Obama Czar Agrees With Mao, Too, and Thinks Free Market is "Nonsense" http://www.breitbart.tv/obama-czar-agrees-with-mao-too-and-thinks-free-market-is-nonsense/ Breitbart.TV and Naked Emperor News

Introduction to the Free Speech ClauseThe issues: What events influenced the thinking of the framers about the right of free speech?  What is the original understanding of the First Amendment? What values does the Free Speech Clause serve?  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment  of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.  IntroductionAlthough First Amendment jurisprudence is almost entirely a creation that began in the 20th century, common law...

Calls for psychiatric care, treating 'medical conditions' on campus - The House's proposed health national health plan would establish "school-based health clinics" on campuses, and one group is warning it could give Planned Parenthood direct access to American schoolchildren at taxpayer expense. The American Family Association, or AFA, is warning that Section 2511 of H.R.3200, or the House plan, titled "School-Based Health Clinics," allows a "non-profit health agency" to serve as a "sponsoring facility" for health clinics that operate during school hours. AFA has provided a document with actual language from H.R.3200 that outlines requirements for the program. AFA notes...

Retired Army Sgt. Richard Yarosh has gotten used to the stares. His face is blanketed in knotty scar tissue. His nose tip is missing. His ears are gone, as is part of his right leg. His fingers are permanently bent and rigid. All is the result of an explosion in Iraq that doused him in fuel and fire three years ago. "I know people are curious," he said. "They'll stop in their tracks and look. I guess I can understand. I probably would have stared, too."

Sarah Palin's facebook page has been relatively quiet lately. She made it louder with a roughly 1000 word commentary on the Baucus bill. Most of the criticism echoed that of the Price Waterhouse report released earlier last week. The main criticism comes down to the idea that pre existing conditions will no longer stop someone from being covered but the penalties for not having coverage will be small. The bill prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and from charging sick people higher premiums. [1] It attempts to offset the costs this will impose on insurance...

Since resigning as governor of Alaska in early July, Sarah Palin has used the social networking tool Facebook almost exclusively to convey her thoughts on the issues of the day to her supporters and the media. The latest missive came late Saturday night when Palin penned a note on Facebook on the passage of President Obama's health care bill through the Senate Finance Committee.

On July 3rd, 2009, Sarah Palin resigned as Governor of Alaska, and nailed the following sign to her door: “Men Wanted For Hazardous Journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” This, the most famous newspaper advertisement ever penned, placed its original author, Sir Ernest Shackleton, in the position of having to select the crew for an Antarctic expedition from among the 5,000 men the ad brought to his office. Comparing Sara Palin to the greatest explorer in history might appear to stretch the limits of...

Is it odd how anti-Palin polls pop-up all over the MSM? The few and infrequent polls that are less favorable to Governor Palin always seem to be big news. The reality is over 90% of the many 2012 polls show she is the front runner. Michelle Malkin’s Hotair.com offered the latest Poll on 2012 & Governor Palin with Sarah leading with 63%

[Part 1 of this series.][The frustration of most Americans with the systematic destruction of their country, its society, and its economy, by a handful of corrupt politicians grows daily. It is not that they are not willing to do anything about it, but the fact they do not seem to know what to do. The growth of the tea-party movement and the huge march on Washington are evidence of their eagerness to do "something," but it is equally obvious that demonstrations and a millions articles have done nothing at all, and the leftist "Destroy America" railroad roars on without even...

There used to be a time in this country, not that long ago, when, despite our religious, cultural and societal differences, there were at least a few basic tenets upon which we, as Americans, could all agree. We could locate our borders, we spoke a common language and shared a common understanding of our Founders and constitutionalism. -SNIP-........after further evaluation of what’s really going on behind the scenes in Washington, I have come to an even more alarming conclusion: What they are doing is committing legislative jihad.Socialists have declared jihad on our economic prosperity Socialists have declared jihad on...

By Aaron Klein © 2009 WorldNetDaily Anita Dunn TEL AVIV – President Obama's presidential campaign focused on "making" the news media cover certain issues while rarely communicating anything to the press unless it was "controlled," White House Communications Director Anita Dunn disclosed to the Dominican government at a videotaped conference. "Very rarely did we communicate through the press anything that we didn't absolutely control," said Dunn. "One of the reasons we did so many of the David Plouffe videos was not just for our supporters, but also because it was a way for us to get our message out without...

As noted in “British gun control: Coming soon to a country near you? ” seven countries, led by the United Kingdom, are attempting to revive U.N. efforts to restrict imports and exports of small arms. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the United States would reverse Bush administration opposition to international small arms control, potentially paving the way for the British-led effort, which calls for a vote by the U.N. General Assembly by year’s end. The U.S. would support the “Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty” as long as it was conducted under rules of “consensus decision-making,” interpreted...

Bob Basso has just released another powerful video message as Thomas Paine. In this one, he urges a restoration of the common bond over diversity. He asks us to defend the principals of our founding fathers in the Second American Revolution. Video: Thomas Paine - “The Broken Common Bond”

Now that the Senate Finance Committee has approved its health care bill, it’s a good time to step back and take a look at the long term consequences should its provisions be enacted into law. The bill prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and from charging sick people higher premiums. [1] It attempts to offset the costs this will impose on insurance companies by requiring everyone to purchase coverage, which in theory would expand the pool of paying policy holders. However, the maximum fine for those who refuse to purchase health insurance is $750. [2]...

Here's one place where a Sarah Palin campaign appearance is welcome: Texas. Republican gubernatorial campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey are giving Palin the cold shoulder out of fear that she might alienate independent voters. But it's a very different story in the Texas Republican gubernatorial primary, a conservative slugfest between Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Palin will campaign for Perry sometime next year, according to his campaign, but the dates are still being finalized. Palin endorsed the Texas governor's re-election bid earlier this year. "She will be coming here to campaign sometime after the first of...

China gets tough over America’s ballooning debt Irwin Stelzer: American Account Americans should be hoping that the Chinese will be kinder to us than we were to the Brits after the second world war. Readers of a certain age will remember, and the younger ones who study history will have learnt, what creditor Uncle Sam did to debtor John Bull when Britain sent John Maynard Keynes to Washington to negotiate a loan from us. Britain had spent blood and treasure to beat the Nazis, and was hoping for a gift of $3 billion, a credit line of $5 billion, and...

Video at site

Al Sharpton, We read that you threatened to sue Rush Limbaugh for saying that you played a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riots and the riot at Freddy’s Fashion Mart in 1995. We are not an attorney and cannot give legal advice, but you are not going to sue anybody; you are going squeal like a schoolyard bully whose victim has struck him back while Rush Limbaugh does what should have been done in 1988. He will demolish you as a public figure, and quite possibly take your National Action Network down in the bargain, by exposing your...

snip Also problematic is the resolution’s attempt to make the restriction of free speech a human right. In fact, it is free speech that constitutes a human right and not its restriction. Ideologies, ideas and religions do not, and should not be afforded “human rights." They should be fair game for criticism, analysis, open debate and discussion. Religions and ideologies cannot be “defamed." Once ideologies are afforded protection from criticism, it is in direct contradiction to individual human rights.snip

If the choice for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 comes down to a choice between Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, Huckabee has a slight edge. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Republican voters finds that 44% prefer Huckabee, 39% favor Romney, and 17% are not sure. Data released yesterday showed that Huckabee and Romney lead all hopefuls in an early look at the 2012 race. Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich also attract double-digit support. Both Huckabee and Romney are viewed favorably by 78% of Republican voters. However, intensity leans a bit in Huckabee’s favor. Forty-six percent (46%)...

Now that the Senate Finance Committee has approved its health care bill, it’s a good time to step back and take a look at the long term consequences should its provisions be enacted into law. The bill prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and from charging sick people higher premiums. [1] It attempts to offset the costs this will impose on insurance companies by requiring everyone to purchase coverage, which in theory would expand the pool of paying policy holders. However, the maximum fine for those who refuse to purchase health insurance is $750. [2]...

Former Alaska GOP Gov. Sarah Palin penned a tough but wonky critique Saturday night of the health care bill approved this week by the Senate Finance Committee. In a more than 1,000-word essay posted on her Facebook page shortly before midnight, Palin knocked the bill sponsored by Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) for not setting up proper cost offsets, but offered none of the more incinedary, "death-panel" type claims that have marked her previous comments.

MUST VIEW AND UNDERSTAND - NEW THOMAS PAYNE VIDEO

Some things you may not know about Palin: What A Fisherman Says About Sarah Palin by Dewie Whetsell, Alaskan Fisherman As posted in comments on Greta Van Susteren’s article referencing the MoveOn.org ad about Sarah Palin. The last 45 of my 66 years I’ve spent in a commercial fishing town in Alaska. I understand Alaska politics but never understood national politics well until this last year. Here’s the breaking point: Neither side of the Palin controversy gets it. It’s not about persona, style, rhetoric, it’s about doing things. Even Palin supporters never mention the things that I’m about to mention...

Eugene Robinson, of the Washington Post, is finally looking past Obama’s skin color and his own. He wrote a piece being way too kind to Obama and naively surprised by his actions: President Obama's brief display of drive-by compassion Thursday in New Orleans was, for me, by far the worst outing of his presidency thus far -- and the biggest disappointment. I covered Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath -- the flood in New Orleans that drowned a great city, the storm surge in Mississippi that erased whole communities, the devastation, the agony. For weeks afterwards, I had trouble sleeping. I...

Now that the Senate Finance Committee has approved its health care bill, it’s a good time to step back and take a look at the long term consequences should its provisions be enacted into law. The bill prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and from charging sick people higher premiums. [1] It attempts to offset the costs this will impose on insurance companies by requiring everyone to purchase coverage, which in theory would expand the pool of paying policy holders. However, the maximum fine for those who refuse to purchase health insurance is $750. [2]...

February 29, 2008 -- Austin, TX - U.S. Senator Barack Obama was joined by Congressman Chet Edwards (TX-17) in Houston this morning for a town hall meeting with area veterans. Obama discussed his track record of fighting for veterans in the U.S. Senate and pledged that, as President, he will ensure that veterans are treated with the dignity and respect they have earned. "America enters into a sacred trust with every single person who puts on the uniform," Obama said. "That trust is simple: America will be there for you, just as you have been there for America. Keeping that...

Yesterday, the US News & World Report published an essay, "Michelle Obama, Teachers Are Key to a Successful Economy." It begins: Michelle Obama: Teachers Are Key to a Successful Economy By Michelle Obama Posted October 15, 2009 Michelle Obama is the first lady of the United States. That's a lot of Michelle Obamas Anyway, after personalizing Michelle and the kids, Michelle's ghost-writer inserts the boiler-plate about the challenges and lack of rewards of teaching, which has been eternally true, and spring-boards into the reason for the exercise -- placing community organizers into the public schools -- Michelle refers to them...

Link: http://hotair.com/archives/2009/10/16/rasmussen-huckabee-29-romney-24-palin-18/

David Checketts, an investor and owner of sports teams, approached me in late May about investing in the St. Louis Rams football franchise. As a football fan, I was intrigued. I invited him to my home where we discussed it further. Even after informing him that some people might try to make an issue of my participation, Mr. Checketts said he didn't much care. I accepted his offer. It didn't take long before my name was selectively leaked to the media as part of the Checketts investment group. Shortly thereafter, the media elicited comments from the likes of Al Sharpton....

Yesterday Sharia loving UK Muslim Anjem Choudary released a video statement stating that the non-Muslims of the UK should convert to Islam or accept Sharia Law. Today I am posting some new comments that I came across on Right Side News, that show us that the true Brits still have a fighting chance. written by True Englishman, October 16,

Lord Monckton is one of the few people who has thorough familiarity with a recently completed draft of the treaty President Obama will sign in Copenhagen in just a matter of weeks. He does not mince words about what he has found in the course of his reading of the document. The treaty is not just a foot in the door for one-world government. It IS communist, one-world government. And because of the high regard in which our Constitution holds foreign treaties, this document, if ratified by Congress, would supercede the Constitution. The treaty will, of course, be signed under...