Free Republic

Architecture, Churches, Infrastructure, and People of Pre-Revolutionary Russia. Photographer uses unique method to develop color photos.

The four MiG-31E fighter jets that Russia will deliver to Syria will be without offensive capabilities and used for intelligence gathering alone, according to reports that reached Jerusalem from Moscow this week. According to these reports, Russia did not sell more planes to the Syrians for the simple reason that Damascus does not have the ability to pay for any more. The reports said that two of the planes would be operational, and the other two would be purchased for "cannibalization" purposes, amid a Syrian realization that Russia would not provide effective "after-sale service," and that these planes would be...

WASHINGTON – Perhaps you think the Van Jones appointment as a White House czar was an aberration and, now that he is gone, America will never hear from him again. Think again. His biggest fans and closest friends tell a much different story. For instance, Don Hazen, executive director of the Independent Media Institute, a "progressive" alternative media outlet heavily funded by the likes Teresa Heinz Kerry's Tides Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation, says Jones' talents were actually wasted in the position of "green jobs czar" Barack Obama gave him. He calls Jones "arguably the most effective communicator in Democratic...

If the wave of terror attacks against Britain can be linked to one man, then intelligence sources say that man is Abu Ubaida Al Masri. He was the 'Holy Warrior', the veteran Muhajideen fighter chosen by Al Qaeda to bring unprecedented death and destruction. With the end of the airline bomb trial, we can reveal his extraordinary role in orchestrating at least four separate plots uncovered against the UK.

Take a look back on how far we've come with this Minard inspired graph of Money Supply, Presidential Approval rating, Unemployment figures and historic turning points of his failing administration. Obama wanted to turn the World upside down, so its ironic if numbers follow that cue. /not a numerologist

Relatives of 9/11 victims cheered the resignation of Van Jones. Said Debra Burlingame: "He's not fit to be a dog catcher. He's a hate-monger," referring to Jones calling Republicans "a-holes" and for signing a petition that said Pres Bush allowed 9/11 attacks. Her brother died in the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. Retired firefighter Lee Ielpi applauded the resignation: "His comments foster doubt and suspicion." His firefighter son was killed at the WTC.

After a nearly 40-day recess that was anything but restful, House Democrats are returning to work Tuesday still unsettled over pending health-care legislation and sure only that the people have had their say. They are in almost the exact position they were in when they left the Capitol in late July. Conservatives are still leery of supporting a government-funded, or public, insurance option. Freshman lawmakers from suburban districts remain fearful of increasing taxes for their wealthy constituents to pay for the new measure and await alternatives from moderate Senate Democrats. And progressives, who are demanding the most far-reaching reform since...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares touched their highest level in a year on Tuesday, while gold futures hit $1,000 an ounce for the first time in six months on investor concerns about the sustainability of the global economic recovery. With no direction from U.S. markets due to Monday's Labor Day holiday, it was a mixed start for Asian markets, with Australian shares climbing as a flurry of deals lifted hopes for a pick-up in merger activity, while Shanghai stocks were dampened by profit-taking. The MSCI index of Asian shares excluding Japan rose to its highest in a year, gaining 0.8...

The dollar’s role in international trade should be reduced by establishing a new currency to protect emerging markets from the “confidence game” of financial speculation, the United Nations said. UN countries should agree on the creation of a global reserve bank to issue the currency and to monitor the national exchange rates of its members, the Geneva-based UN Conference on Trade and Development said today in a report. China, India, Brazil and Russia this year called for a replacement to the dollar as the main reserve currency after the financial crisis sparked by the collapse of the U.S. mortgage market...

The most important thing about what anyone says are not the words themselves but the credibility of the person who says them. The words of convicted swindler Bernie Madoff were apparently quite convincing to many people who were regarded as knowledgeable and sophisticated. If you go by words, you can be led into anything. No doubt millions of people will be listening to the words of President Barack Obama Wednesday night when he makes a televised address to a joint session of Congress on his medical care plans. But, if they think that the words he says are what matters,...

... After 30 years of being South Yorkshire's undisputed King of the Veg , the pensioner, from Barnsley , was told he is no longer welcome at local shows. Now Mr Micklethwaite has vowed to take his fight to the courts after being blacklisted by the South Yorkshire District of the National Vegetable Society. ... 'But I know the reason it's because I'm too successful. I win too much so it's all sour grapes, they're just looking for a way to keep me out. 'They don't want me there because I might be a bit too good. 'If they had...

1) In support of our US Constitution and the enumerated rights it bestows on the legal US citizen (born and unborn)! 2) Against the un-constitutional expansion of the US Federal Government visa via CZARS, taxes and over regulation. 3) Against socialism and the government take over of our health care industry...in support of real, legitimate capitalism; free of fraud and deceit! 4) Against lazy legislators who don’t read the bills they vote on! 5) In support of any potential political leaders who still believe in the American Spirit and the celebration of individual rights. The very same rights President Ronald...

David Frum credits Gatewaypundit for exposing Van Jones I see, Van Jones just simply made a mistake a long time ago... The problem is the political terrorist who are pointing out Van Jones past... David Sirota is an absolute complete jack*ssDavid Sirota: "And what I think is going on here is that the White House is listening to the right-wing's political terrorists - people like Glenn Beck, people like conservative activists, who have targeted Van Jones because Van Jones is an African-American with progressive movement background working on behalf of social justice." Frum: "David Sirota does his own cause an...

Progress in Afghanistan. The first surprise is the Kabul airport. The new terminal -- "a gift of the people of Japan" -- appears to have been airlifted in from a small American city; light-filled, modern and staffed by young men in uniforms of khaki pants and blue shirts who politely answer travelers' questions as they direct traffic through the quiet, marble halls of the terminal.

Two months ago, 4,000 US Marines descended upon the Afghan village of Garmsir in southern Afghanistan and managed to take the territory over which the British had battled over for three years. Go big, go strong, go fast, their Brigadier General, Lawrence Nicholson, had ordered – and they did. Yet yesterday there was a notable absence of arrogance among the new inhabitants of the British military's most southerly and often most lethal front. The Marines speak with nothing but respect for those who held this ground in far fewer numbers – the British servicemen who passed, as some might say,...

This is a great day! New York State’s first 9/12 Candidate has already been attracting attention, and this announcement is the result of him attracting our attention. Aaron Blake, a contributor for “The Hill” recently wrote: Conservative Party nominee Doug Hoffman is beginning to look like he might be a force in the upcoming New York special election. DeRoy Murdock of the “Washington Times” had this to say: Appropriately for a Lake Placid resident, Mr. Hoffman is rather low-key and soft-spoken. However, his voice urgently rises when he addresses the ways in which Washington pins down so many of his...

What an absolute jack*ss this guy is, David Sirota on CNN with John King defends Jones, David Frum corrects him and credits GatewayPundit for exposing truther Van Jones...(Video)

I can see it now. Hugo Chavez will be the "Change" Czar and the kossacks at the Daily Kos can nominate him. Thoughts? Chavez did say he wants to "help" Obama.

Is the iPod Classic a goner this Wednesday? by Harry McCracken, PC World Tumblr developer/blogger Marco Arment has posted his best guesses about what Apple will announce-iPodwise, at least-at its music event Wednesday (Technologizer will be there to liveblog the news). Arment’s predictions seem logical enough-which doesn’t guarantee their accuracy, of course-and the most interesting thing about them is that he thinks that Apple will discontinue the iPod Classic, the high-capacity, small-screen, no-touch, no-apps model that’s the direct descendent of the original 2001 iPod. In the era in which the iPod Touch is unquestionably the most exciting iPod and the...

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