Free Republic

September 15, 2008 Categories: Housing crisis Protesters to build "tent city" outside McCain condo John McCain has taken plenty of heat for not being sure how many houses he owns. Now, liberal activists are going to target one of those homes – his Crystal City, Va., luxury condo – with a protest Tuesday in which they plan to build a "tent city" outside the condo building. The protest is being organized by "Change to Win," a coalition of some of the nation's largest unions, and the plan is for laid off workers to build a faux tent city outside of...

Government professor Lisa L. Martin, who served as the Faculty of Arts and Sciences' first diversity dean and chair of the Standing Committee on Women, has left Harvard for the University of Wisconsin at Madison, criticizing Dean of the Faculty Michael D. Smith's commitment to hiring minority and female professors on her way out. As a leader of female and minority recruitment, Martin compiled and released two reports on hiring. Her first report raised alarm when it found that the female tenure rate in 2005-2006 had fallen to 21 percent - half the rate of the previous year. Martin started...

Seems Sarah Palin installed a tanning bed in the governor's mansion in 2007. "She did. She paid for it with her own money," Roger Wetherell, chief communications officer of Alaska's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities told Us Weekly. McCain/Palin go to Defcon 1 Over This Scandalous Revelation: According to Wetherell, it was paid for with her own money and purchased used from a health club.

ROME, ITALY - Pope Benedict XVI denounced the practices of the Episcopal Church (USA) this week by stating that they have strayed too far from scripture. In a move that shocked many because of its direct nature, the Pope said, "The Episcopal Church in the United States continues its practice of moving farther and farther away from what the bible teaches us. They act as if the holy scriptures have nothing to say about life and how we should live it. Now that they are openly ordaining gay bishops and ignoring the gospel message, what is left for them to...

Just a thought. It occurred to me that those on FR need a place to discuss religion, religious thought, denominal issues all things religious without worrying about hurt feelings or bruised egos. This would be a bare knuckle discussion. If you have thin skin or are easily offended it would be better not to participate.

Dole discusses Climate Security Act Written by Lauren K. Ohnesorge Thursday, June 05 2008 Senator Elizabeth Dole discussed national and economic security issues Tuesday evening on the Senate floor. The remarks, available below, were presented during the debate of America’s Climate Security Act. A release from Dole’s office labels the Senator as an original cosponsor of the legislation to address climate change “using a market-driven approach that will strengthen our economy and national security and make America more energy independent.” In her lengthy statement, Dole says nuclear energy is a “safe, reliable, low-cost” energy alternative. She also talks about the...

Free Rock Concert Preceded Big Obama Rally in Portland Hugh Hewitt just told me that right before Obama addressed that huge crowd in Portland, the indie rock band the Decemberists played a free 45-minute concert. Now, I'm sure Obama would draw a big crowd either way, but wasn't that worth mentioning in the coverage? From Wikipedia: "Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt (which may explain its use of the National Anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts)..." Lovely. I wonder if they played, "Sixteen Military Wives." The video depicts a bully named "Henry...

While Jim Robinson is away for medical treatment, how about we talk about him? I'll start it off by first saying how grateful I am for this wonderful FreeRepublic.com he invented and maintains. I've met not only Jim and Sheila and John and Chris, but hundreds of Freepers, brilliant, amazingly wonderful people (including my husband) solely because of FreeRepublic.com. Let the fun begin........

Still undecided? If you're a Pennsylvania Democrat and today dawned with you still struggling, it could mean one of several things: You could be one of those terminally indecisive people, for whom even ordering at Applebee's becomes an hour-long agony. More likely, it means you're an earnest citizen who feels how momentous this choice is - but not a person who can resolve it through identity politics, the tug of "first woman" or "first black." Perhaps you're a substance maven whose study of wonky Web sites has taught you that, along the grand spectrum of political thought, the differences between...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ The Florida branch of the NAACP says a bill that would ban students from wearing their pants too low could lead to more legal trouble for black males. Orlando Senator Gary Siplin’s bill was approved 28-11 last week by the Florida Senate. The bill calls for no criminal sanctions, but it would prohibit students from wearing pants low so that they expose undergarments. Violators would receive a warning for a first offense, and suspensions from school would be issued for each subsequent infraction. NAACP President Adora Obi Nweze called it a “clearly discriminatory bill.’’ Other groups...

<p>Police said Tuesday they raided a home where they said much more than strip poker was being played. Police said a man turned a poker game with neighborhood residents into his business, with thousands of dollars on the table, high-priced buy-ins, credit card machines and occasionally, nudity.</p>

VATICAN CITY, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Serbia took its campaign against Kosovo's independence to the Vatican on Thursday when its ambassador told Pope Benedict that "moral principles" alone showed it was an injustice. But the Pontiff, receiving Serbia's ambassador to the Holy See, steered clear of the dispute and renewed his call for all sides to show restraint. "With regard to the current crisis in Kosovo, I call upon all interested parties to act with prudence and moderation, and to seek solutions that favour mutual respect and reconciliation," the Pontiff said. Sunday's declaration of independence by Kosovo, which has a...

OTTAWA — The Canadian dollar has reached its highest level since it began to float freely in 1970. The loonie was trading at $1.0459 (U.S.) just before 11:30 this morning, after breaking through the previous post-Bretton Woods high of $1.0443, said Mark Chandler, fixed income strategist for Royal Bank. The main reason for today's surge is a weakening U.S. dollar, he added. The Canadian dollar was pegged to the U.S. dollar for most of the 1960s. The currency's record high is $1.0614, reached on Aug. 21, 1957. Its record low was 61.79 cents, reached in January 2002. Since then, the...

After 9 years, 9,217 postings and 158 original threads I have decided to leave Free Republic. I haven't arrived at this decision lightly, FR has been a huge part of my life for a decade. I've learned a tremendous amount from interacting with people here. A lot of my beliefs have been challenged, and I've had to rethink things I on many occassions. There are not too many places where you can learn from sincere people in an atmosphere of open discussion. My reasons for leaving are twofold. First, and most importantly, I think I'm graduating. I've probably gotten whatever...

CORONADO, Calif. -- The U.S. Navy will spend as much as $600,000 to modify the appearance of a barracks complex in Coronado that resembles a swastika from the air. Navy officials said the spending for changes to the four L-shaped buildings were approved after satellite images from Google Earth revealed the swastika-like shape.

On one of my endless voyages over the internet I stumbled across a free program called TERRAGEN. I will try anything if it's free, almost, anyway. This program lets you design all kinds of stuff, wish I was sharp enough to understand the instructions, but, if you just mess around, you will figure it out. If Reuters ever starts using this, oh, well! Be honest, really,can you tell these are fakes? http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/

Associated Press New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg left the Republican Party on Tuesday and switched to unaffiliated, a move certain to be seen as a prelude to an independent presidential bid that would upend the 2008 race. The billionaire former CEO, who was a lifelong Democrat before he switched to the Republican Party in 2001 for his first mayoral run, said the change in his voter registration does not mean he is running for president. "Although my plans for the future haven't changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to...

CANNES, France - About a decade ago, when Leonardo DiCaprio was on the cusp of megastardom and Al Gore was the U.S. vice president, the two talked together about global warming. Now an all-out environmental activist, DiCaprio has followed Gore's lead by bringing a climate change documentary to the Cannes Film Festival. DiCaprio co-produced and co-wrote "The 11th Hour," which explains how humans have changed the climate and how to fix the damage. "It's such an amazingly large issue, and you suddenly you feel like, what can I do? What can I do? It's too big for me to deal...

[UPDATE 05/06/07: Dedicated to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.] *************************Dear Subscriber: According to our records, your 1957 subscription to The Claxon is scheduled to expire soon. Please don't let this happen! $2 per month will buy you the Quint-State area's leading newspaper, delivered each morning by one of our cheerful Junior Claxoneer news lads -- like 12-year old Claxon Carrier of the Year Skip Olbermaier! Each issue is packed with items of interest around our community - like: Goings-on at City Hall, including the controversial $0.0032 sales tax plan! Publisher Felton Beswick Jr. keeps you up-to-date on the Red Menace! The...

Fox News has hired Courtney Friel as a correspondent and substitute anchor. She will host Fox & Friends Weekend tomorrow and Sunday, Bill Shine announced today. "Friel will join co-hosts Kelly Wright and Greg Kelly in anchoring the morning program this Saturday and Sunday from 7-10AM/ET. In addition, Friel will be a correspondent for Foxnews.com." Here's her bio. She was recently a correspondent for KPSB, the CBS affiliate in Palm Springs. She has freelanced for America's Most Wanted, E!, Nickelodeon, Court TV, and the Travel Channel, and hosted "movie preview shows for Loews Theaters and Comcast Cable." Watch her highlight...

Muslims face hatred, curiosity in U.S. heartland Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:50 AM ET By Andrea Hopkins CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Tala Ali, 25, has seen the good and the bad of being a Muslim in heartland America. People have leaned out car windows to scream at her: "Terrorist go home." But strangers curious about her headscarf have also approached her apologetically to ask about Islam. "I love it, actually, when people ask me questions," said the pink-scarved Ali, who came to the United States with her Jordanian father and Palestinian mother when she was five. "Out here, I'm the only...

WASHINGTON - Another terrorist attack, a warmer planet, death and destruction from a natural disaster. These are among Americans' grim predictions for the United States in 2007. But on a brighter note, only a minority of people think the U.S. will go to war with Iran or North Korea over the countries' nuclear ambitions. An overwhelming majority thinks Congress will raise the federal minimum wage. A third sees hope for a cure to cancer. These are among the findings of an Associated Press-AOL News poll that asked Americans to gaze into their crystal balls and contemplate what 2007 holds for...

CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush on Friday sent holiday greetings to all Muslims in America, Iraq and across the world as they celebrate the Eid al-Adha religious festival. "Eid al-Adha is an important occasion to give thanks for their blessings and to remember Abraham's trust in a loving God," Bush said in a statement released from his Texas ranch, where he is spending the week pondering changes to U.S. policy in Iraq and staying abreast of Saddam Hussein's execution. Iraq's Shiites will celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the two most important holidays in Islam, from Dec. 31 to Jan. 4....

I heard it was not going to be Rush today but his Website does not list the guest host. Is it Rush? Discuss amoung yourselves.

I think the life cycle is backwards. Here's how I'd fix it: You should die first. You start out dead and get it out of the way. Then you wake up in a nursing home, feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, collect your pension; and then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. That's when you drink alcohol and party and are generally promiscuous. Next comes high school. Then you're off to primary school, you become...

When stereotypes dosn't fit in

HOT DANG--IT'S FRIDAY!!! This thread is dedicated to your employers and co-workers. It's dedicated to the people you love and the people you hate. This thread is dedicated to all the office games and pranks. This thread is dedicated to the office flirts and the office tards. We salute the fond memory of the office snitch and the promoted kiss-@ss. We dedicate this thread to those that frequent the restroom and those caught in the janitor's closet. We even salute you, Guy That Wears Way Too Much Cologne Here's To Office Politics: Rock On OFST!

In this world there are things that seem on the verge of being discovered every so often, yet never quite materialize. The "Lost City" of Atlantis, for example, has been "found" at least a half dozen times. One researcher is pretty sure it is in Bolivia; another says it is Antarctica; a third claims that Bimini beachrock may be from the lost civilization. So it is with Noah's Ark. The difference is, of course, that the implications of Noah's Ark actually being found extend far beyond archaeology. The weight of all the paired animals in the world is nothing compared...

This morning, I renewed my driver's license. Of course, on the application they asked me if I wanted to donate my organs in the eventuality of my death. Being an altruist by nature, my first reaction was, why not, it could help somebody. But then a fear crept into my head - what if I was seriously ill, and "they" decided to hasten my as of yet not-inevitable death to harvest my organs? While my first reaction was that is absurd, I decided to chose "no" given the well grounded fear that in today's society, where life is given no...

The ashes of executed Crips gang co-founder Stanley "Tookie" Williams were spread in a lake in South Africa in accordance with his will, a friend said. Barbara Becnel, who co-authored children's books with Williams and witnessed his execution, said in a statement Friday that she and Williams' longtime friend Shirley Neal sprinkled the ashes into the lake Sunday in Thokoza Park in the city of Soweto, as Williams had requested. "On his last day of life Stan asked me to spread his ashes in South Africa," Becnel said. "He wanted to return to the motherland." Williams was cremated after his...

Liberals are good for one thing: Propaganda, oops, slogans (and correct behaviour, of course). Please tell me all those 1-liners with 0 sense like -- It feels good, do it -- Nothing is worth fighting -- Trust no one over 30

Rumors of Osama bin Laden's death are greatly exaggerated and the al-Qaida leader is preparing his next video broadcast to be aired on al-Jazeera, reports an acclaimed Pakistani journalist who has interviewed him. In an exclusive interview with Paul L. Williams, author of the new book, “The Dunces of Doomsday,” and David Dastych in Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin, Hamid Mir says bin Laden is not only alive and well but in the process of preparing a video-taped appearance for al-Jazeera, the Qatari Arabian news network.

Tom Cruise and fiancée Katie Holmes have declared their love for each other in a bizarre “wedding” ceremony — on a ship. The couple exchanged rings emblazoned with triangular Scientology symbols as fellow cult members John Travolta and Kirstie Alley looked on. An insider said: “Katie wore a flowing white dress and Tom was in a black suit as they exchanged rings during the brief 30 minute ceremony. “The couple then walked across a tiny bridge — a Scientology symbol for the journey to total freedom.”

JAMES BOND star Daniel Craig is ready to bare all in his first film as 007. Craig, 37, told movie bosses he would not only show his bottom - but was happy to do the Full Monty. The star of Casino Royale said: "In today's world we expect female actresses to go naked so why not men? "I have told bosses I'm prepared to do a full frontal scene. I'm not shy and Bond wouldn't be shy about it either." The blond actor has come in for criticism from die-hard Bond fans who don't think he is tough enough. They...

Whatever happened to ... the Sars pandemic? Iain Hollingshead Saturday February 25, 2006 The Guardian (UK) It has all been bird flu this week, but it is not so long since the spectre of a Sars pandemic was hogging the headlines. Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a pneumonia-like coronavirus that first emerged in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong in November 2002. Eight months later, the international spread of Sars-CoV had resulted in 8,098 cases and 774 deaths in 26 countries. "Surviving is even worse than dying," said one sufferer in Hong Kong. Many victims were left with debilitating bone...

Setting up a conflict with the Romney administration, lawmakers on Monday advanced a longstanding Beacon Hill proposal to decriminalize the possession of enough marijuana for teens to roll dozens of joints. Approved 6-1 by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, the proposal would change the penalty for possessing marijuana to a $250 civil fine for anyone caught with less than an ounce of the drug, regardless of age. In addition, parents of those 18 years and younger would be notified of the infraction. Currently, someone convicted of such an offense can be sent to jail for up to six...

Dr. Filth, he keeps his world Inside of a leather cup But all his sexless patients They're trying to blow it up -- Bob Dylan: Desolation Row LIKE SOME HAGGARD CRACK WHORE banging on the door of a dealer's den willing to do anything , the hapless Joel ( "I despise our troops." ) Stein has been passed randomly about the blogsphere in the last couple of days. Once a blogpile of such mountainous proportions starts, there's little left to comment on in terms of the content of Stein's small dry excretion after the first five hours. By that time...

While book-signings for political figures like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ann Coulter or Sean Hannity often feature long lines and people waiting for hours, the scene at Cindy Sheehan's book-signing yesterday near President Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch was a much more lonely affair. Photographs published by wire services including the Associated Press and Reuters depict a lonely "Peace Mom" in a virtually empty tent awaiting those seeking her autograph on her new book, "Not One More Mother's Child." The Washington Post reported the scene this way: "Sheehan found herself addressing a crowd of only about 100 on Saturday afternoon. The...

I am sure I grew up with many of the same memories as many of you. Christmas was magical. The music and lights of the season made my heart leap with love, excitement, and anticipation. We remember the food, relatives, and traditions. I can still feel the hope I felt as a child. You know, that swell in your soul that made you want to do cartwheels for no reason other than utter joy of the season. I recall those mornings when one of us awoke and ran through the house, “Wake up! Santa came! Santa came!” The whole family...

NEW YORK - The free ride for Howard Stern fans ends Friday. Stern, a New York radio fixture for 20 years and host of a syndicated show for 12 million daily listeners, bids farewell to his fans with a final show on terrestrial radio. On Jan. 9, Stern makes his move to satellite radio — where his once-free speech will cost listeners $12.95 a month. Stern, no surprise, will not leave quietly. He's scheduled a two-hour party in midtown Manhattan to say goodbye to his loyal listeners. And he plans to deliver an address to fans on his final show,...

Morning Edition, November 21, 2005 · I believe that there is no God. I'm beyond Atheism. Atheism is not believing in God. Not believing in God is easy -- you can't prove a negative, so there's no work to do. You can't prove that there isn't an elephant inside the trunk of my car. You sure? How about now? Maybe he was just hiding before. Check again. Did I mention that my personal heartfelt definition of the word "elephant" includes mystery, order, goodness, love and a spare tire? So, anyone with a love for truth outside of herself has to...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 10, 2005) -- While sitting down for lunch in the chow hall here Nov. 3, corpsmen assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 8 Base Aid Station recognized Marines they treated in past combat situations. One corpsman pointed out an everyday Marine in line for chow who he had treated. “I’ve already taken care of three guys on three different convoys where an improvised explosive device exploded,” said Seaman Apprentice Versean Taylor, a corpsman assigned to CLB-8 BAS, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (FWD). “I love taking care of my Marines; they take care of me and I take...

Many of you may know that our own Freeper Pissant coordinated with fellow Freeper Marmar the efforts to raise money from Freeperettes to be sent to our wounded soldiers in Germany. He raised quite a sum of cash which will buy dinner of beer and brats to these brave men and women. Pissant's last communication to participating Freeperettes was, "And to all of my favorite freeperettes, thank you very much......and you too Mr. Jeeves! " To which PEACEBABY responded with generous praise, "and thank you, pissant, for your enthusiasm for our soldiers - and for rounding up us Freeperettes." And...

West and Mike Myers had been paired up to appear about halfway through the show. Their assignment: Take turns reading a script describing the breach in the levees around New Orleans. Myers: The landscape of the city has changed dramatically, tragically and perhaps irreversibly. There is now over 25 feet of water where there was once city streets and thriving neighborhoods. (Myers throws to West, who looked extremely nervous in his super-preppy designer rugby shirt and white pants, which is not like the arrogant West and which, in retrospect, should have been a tip-off.) West: I hate the way they...

        ~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~Modern Times: Top 10 All Time Favorite Movies     Welcome to the FReeper Canteen! It's great to have you with all of us!! We're going to start a new feature on Tuesdays. We're not sure if we'll run this every Tuesday or every other Tuesday. However, we'd like to open the floor to hot topics of the day. None of which are political. Unless something is absolutely appalling or in need of your reaction!!           You're Opinions Please     Main Topic: My top 10...

Former U.S. President Clinton says his wife Hillary has not decided whether to run for president in 2008. In an interview Thursday with CNN, Clinton got into the upcoming New York Senate race by answering an accusation made by a potential opponent that the former first lady was using New York "as a doormat to the White House." "Jeanine Pirro is wrong," Clinton said. "Hillary has not used any doormat and, by the way, she doesn't even have a Republican opponent yet. I don't know who the Republicans are going to nominate." In her speech formally launching her Senate campaign...

I've got nothing more to add, but the 'birdie' has not steered me wrong yet. I post what I was told for discussions sake, if the Mods dont want it, they know what to do with it.

Many argue that communism will never be possible because of "human nature". The essence of this false argument is the belief that a communist society would consist of an all-powerful central government that would tell everybody what to do--and would therefore undermine the creative initiative of individuals and the search for happiness. • This argument is based on two false assumptions: (1) It assumes that a communist society will look like the former Soviet Union, or the current China, North Korea, etc (ie: corrupt police states with a feudal-style ruling class) (2) It assumes that people will only work in...

Here is the list so far for sponcers to this hate America fest: ANSWER Code Pink UFPJ NION Al Awda World Workers Party Ruckas Revolutionary Communist party Moveon.org ACORN Campus Antiwar Network International Socialist Org Greens Party Muslim Student Association CPUSA

Seinfeld was a television marvel. Perhaps the most successful situation comedy series of all time, it ran from 1989 to 1998, and has become an omnipresent aspect of our lives as it continually runs in syndication and lives on in best-selling DVD box sets, making fortunes in the hundred millions for both of its co-creators. But there is yet another facet of Seinfeld at which we can marvel: the cast of characters on the show weirdly foreshadowed the rise to prominence of a large component of the dominant urban liberal wing of the Democratic Party. With a nod to Brian...