Free Republic

Praised as a policy that would reduce dependence on oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires refineries to blend ethanol into gasoline, has been fraught with unintended consequences. The RFS mandates the use of an inefficient fuel, drives up food prices, and causes adverse environmental effects. The 2012 drought and problems meeting the quotas in the RFS have put the program under the political microscope. The Heritage Foundation's Nicolas Loris explains how the only true reform to the Renewable Fuel Standard is to eliminate it, and why Congress should repeal the costly and unnecessary...

In an astonishing political development, as a CNN/WMUR poll shows Bernie Sanders defeating Hillary Clinton by an astounding 27 points in the New Hampshire primary and an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll finds him defeating Donald Trump in the general election by a whopping 15 points, a long list of prominent Clinton supporters has launched an all-out negative attack against Mr. Sanders reminiscent of the red-baiting attacks Richard Nixon once deployed against liberals. First, a caution to readers: these polls show definite trends that should bring joy to the hearts of Sanders supporters and dread to the hearts of Team Clinton,...

2016 presidential race will be nail-biting, frustrating, both back-biting and back-stabbing, and long before it’s over, even soul-searing---but not fun Something’s not right. (Pun fully intended) With a voice ringing out with barely restrained pulse-racing excitement, Sarah Palin endorsed Donald J. Trump for president yesterday, breathily adding about the coming election: “It’s going to be so much fun!” Running the risk of being shot down by a trillion digital smiley faces, some dare to suspect that Election 2016 is going to be anything but “so much fun!”

Does anyone have a link to the complete article that appeared in the WSJ 1/19/16 titled "After the Carnage, Shale Will Rise Again"? Would appreciate it if you could send it to me if you have it.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump continues to maintain his domineering lead in the 2016 race for the GOP nomination. With now less than 60 days to the Florida primary, Trump is leading by 32 points in the state. In a new FAU/BEPI poll released today, the billionaire real estate mogul and part-time Palm Beacher pulls a whopping 48 percent among likely Republican primary voters in Florida. Trump’s next-nearest competitor among the Republican candidates, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, takes 16 percent while the junior senator from the state, Marco Rubio, received 11 percent and the former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush carries...

A bar in Okauchee Lake, Wisconsin is hosting Saturday night an event that has been raising protests from some. Foolery’s Liquid Therapy bar is hosting an event involving camels. There are camel rides available for customers. In addition, customers can eat camel toes and camel meat, according to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook group. A Facebook group called Global Conservation Group, posted a protest to the event. Tony Foss, the owner of the camel, posted to the group that a camel will not be slaughtered at the event and the camel is a pet of his. The bar posted...

Insects like crickets, mealworms, ants and caterpillars are being touted as one of the hottest culinary trends. Should these crawly critters be part of your diet? Nutrition Facts Many insects contain a plentiful dose of protein, plus some healthy carbs and fat. Two tablespoons of cricket flour (available online and in some health food stores) contains 55 calories and more than 7 grams of protein; it also contains vitamin B12 and minerals like iron and zinc. The Hype While insect consumption is more common in some countries, it’s a relatively new phenomenon in the U.S. But here in the States,...

A Pennsylvania university is searching for a new mascot and nickname to replace its longtime “Crusaders” moniker, which the school says is “at odds” with its “values and commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.” Susquehanna University is asking people to submit their top choices for a replacement by Jan. 25. The top contenders — which might include the Bobcats or River Otters — will then be submitted to the university president, who will in turn present them to the school’s board of trustees.

SilencerCo Integrally Suppressed Prototype 9mm One of the first items that was attracting a significant amount of attention at the Shot Show Industry Day at the Range was this SilencerCo integrally suppressed 9mm.  They had brought out a similar prototype in September of 2015, but this was a new, improved, version.  It is not ready for sale, but I was told that they hope to have them on the market some time in 2016.  Of course, you will need a tax stamp from the ATF if you are not issued one in the military or as a peace officer...

- The head of one of the nation's largest abortion advocacy groups has said that Democrats should stop talking about the traditional, two-parent family. Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, particularly faulted insurgent Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders for placing his socialistic economic policies ahead of liberal social issues, like abortion and redefining the family. Sanders' traditional emphasis on economics "showed a lot in that first debate when he kept saying, 'You know we need parental leave, so mommies can stay home with their babies,'" Hogue said. Last October, Sanders used child-rearing to promote federal legislation requiring employers to...

Yasiin Bey, the American rapper formerly known as Mos Def, has been charged with violating South Africa's immigration laws after he was arrested last week trying to leave the country on an unrecognised travel document. Bey, who is free on bail, will appear in court on March 8, officials said on Wednesday. The entertainer was arrested on Thursday in Cape Town when he produced a "World Passport" to get on a flight to Ethiopia. The World Passport is a document issued by a non-profit organisation called World Service Authority. South Africa does not recognise it, making it illegal for anyone...

Go to 2:27. He picks the WWII M1 as the greatest gun invented.

Donald Trump said he doesn't think Sarah Palin would be interested in becoming his running mate and trying for a second time to become vice president. "I don't think she'd want to do it," Trump said, although he added that he isn't thinking that far ahead. Appearing on NBC's "Today" show on Wednesday morning after Palin's high-profile endorsement of his White House bid, Trump deflected repeated questions about the 2008 vice presidential candidate as a potential 2016 running mate. Palin has not raised the matter with the GOP frontrunner. "As far as Sarah is concerned, never asked me about that,...

We may have negotiated the release of 4 of our countrymen by promising the Iranians seven sanctions violators in return, but that doesn't mean Iran is getting those seven nationals back.

Backed by Gov. Bruce Rauner, top Illinois Republicans called Wednesday for a state takeover of the financially troubled Chicago Public Schools, which faces a nearly $1 billion budget deficit that could lead to thousands of teacher layoffs and a possible strike in a matter of months. Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno called the plan a "lifeline" for CPS, though Democrats quickly shot down the idea. Radogno and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said the legislation would give the Illinois State Board of Education control over the nation's third-largest school district. They also noted that GOP lawmakers may reveal a bankruptcy...

The 25 people arrested after Monday’s blockade of the Bay Bridge’s westbound lanes were out of custody Tuesday, and San Francisco prosecutors said it could be several weeks before they decide on whether to file charges.

Oil prices dropped to fresh lows during midday trading on January 20, with WTI dipping below $27 per barrel and Brent trading under $28. The crash in oil since December has only deepened the pain for oil-exporting countries, even for those within OPEC. Despite the cartel’s inability to agree on a production target at its meeting in early December, some of its members are clamoring for action. Venezuela recently requested an emergency meeting in a letter sent to the other 12 members of OPEC. That is not necessarily news since Venezuela did the same thing last year, but there are...

CLARKSVILLE, Md. — Big improvements to Maryland Route 32 will cover more than 20 miles from Clarksville to Eldersburg. Gov. Larry Hogan and Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman announced Thursday that a stretch of Route 32 will get a much-needed expansion. After nearly a decade of pleading with state officials, the traffic and safety nightmare on Route 32 is finally being addressed. Hogan is committing $152 million to widening the highway and making safety improvements. "Governor, there are citizens who have died on this roadway. There are friends of all of us who have died or have been hurt, and...

New York radio legend Mike Francesa will be leaving WFAN when his contract expires at the end of 2017, he told Fox Sports’ Katie Nolan on her podcast. “I’m not saying I’m leaving the business. I’m leaving Monday to Friday, five-and-a-half hours, FAN,” Francesa said. “I’m not saying I’m not gonna work again. I’m not saying I’m not gonna do anything again. What I’m saying is, that part of my life, at the end of ’17, that is ending.”

In a project titled "The Counted," the Guardian is tracking killings by police in the United States and has compiled a comprehensive list for the year 2015. The tracker was motivated by much-discussed but poorly founded concern about excessive use of police force particularly against blacks. In December, police killed 92 people - 21 blacks, 40 whites, 17 Hispanics/Latinos, five Asians/Pacific Islanders, and nine of unknown race. Fourteen were unarmed, including five blacks. Those who were unarmed reportedly still posed other types of threats to officers. These threats included physical violence and ramming officers with a vehicle. Most of these...