Free Republic

It was widely reported earlier this year that the new state budget imposes an additional one percent tax on restaurant meals bringing that total ‘meals tax’ to 7.35%. What you may have missed is that the 7.35% tax will also be imposed on many ready to eat prepared foods at the supermarket that have never been taxed before. “It is simply a money grab, that’s all it is,” said Senate Minority Leader Sen. Len Fasano (R-North Haven). Republicans say it was sold to the public as a simple one percent tax hike on restaurant meals. But the list from the...

Morning "Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well, the rain also filleth the pools." Psalm 84:6 This teaches us that the comfort obtained by a one may often prove serviceable to another; just as wells would be used by the company who came after. We read some book full of consolation, which is like Jonathan's rod, dropping with honey. Ah! we think our brother has been here before us, and digged this well for us as well as for himself. Many a "Night of Weeping," "Midnight Harmonies," an "Eternal Day," "A Crook in the Lot," a...

“Build the wall" became the unofficial rallying cry of then-candidate Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. Three years later, amid a series of legal and political setbacks that have raised questions about the project's future, the Trump administration is making a renewed effort to show voters the U.S.-Mexico border wall remains a top priority — touting recent construction and vowing to pick up the pace going into 2020. The purchase of critical strips of private land has cleared the way, they argue, for a new phase. The plan, officials told reporters at a briefing this week, is to construct upwards of 450-500...

Parts of the Bahamas are under a Tropical Storm Warning. Parts of the Atlantic Coast of Florida are under a Tropical Storm Watch...

We will be holding interviews for the following positions: General Warehouse Distribution Workers - Full-Time Responsible for a variety of general warehouse duties. Will be trained in 1 primary functional area with requirement to be cross trained in multiple functions. 1st shift start time: 6:00am, Monday through Friday. New Distribution Center facility in Kansas City, MO (Northland area near the KC airport). General Warehouse Distribution Workers - Part-Time Responsible for a variety of general warehouse duties. Will be trained in 1 primary functional area with requirement to be cross trained in multiple functions. General Warehouse Distribution Workers - Part-Time Flex...

Today’s Cryptogram Courtesy of The Arkansas Gazette JFT SAOM JA TOGI GJSTTJ YATG JFSAWYF JFT GTZTS. ---LAFV NOMMTV You can find this little fun word game, to combat early dementia and senility in us baby boomers, in several daily publications. The way it works is a letter stands for another letter. For example: AXYDLBAAXR is LONGFELLOW (does not apply to today's cryptogram). Beware, the game is very addictive. If this is your first time, don't be intimidated. PLEASE DO NOT post the answer in general comments, but DO post your time and any tips you might give the group on...

Kentucky's Centerfire Systems serves up bargains on guns, gear, surplus, ammo and so much more. With the slogan “Stackin’ ’em deep and sellin’ ’em cheap!”, Centerfire Systems, Inc. in central Kentucky is known as a leading value retailer among enthusiasts of all shooting sports and vintage military firearms. In fact, the company is the go to source for nearly all things AK-47 for the home-build hobbyist. Company founder Mike Davis was a bargain hunter extraordinaire and got into selling firearms as a side job after seeing one change hands twice at a local flea market, netting the middleman a quick...

An advertisement showing the image of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez bursting into flames aired during ABC's Democratic debate in Houston on Thursday, prompting a heated response from viewers. The 30-second ad, from a Republican-affiliated PAC named New Faces GOP, features its founder Elizabeth Heng, a former GOP congressional candidate in California, warning about liberal politicians who embrace socialism. "This is the face of socialism and ignorance," Heng says as a photo of Ocasio-Cortez catches fire and burns away to show harrowing images from the Cambodian Civil War in the 1970s from which her father fled. "Does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez know the horrors...

CNN contributor Andrew McCabe is making waves at the cable news network after a U.S. attorney on Thursday recommended moving ahead with potential charges against the FBI honcho-turned-pundit. Some CNN staffers were reportedly aghast when the network hired McCabe in late August, simply because he'd been fired from the FBI for lying. Now that charges against McCabe are seemingly looming, some of the shock has turned to anger and confusion. A current CNN on-air personality told Fox News this week that "it erodes our journalistic credibility to have so many highly anti-Trump, former Obama DOJ/security officials without a semblance of...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHYaylffGkI

The Pemberton Township project could benefit the community by creating up to 300 jobs, according to officials. PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP — Township officials have approved a 509,000-square-foot warehouse at the corner of Birmingham and South Pemberton roads. At nearly 66 feet tall, Seldat Distribution Inc.’s proposed facility would become one of the tallest structures in Burlington County. It could be under construction within weeks, according to company representatives. The warehouse, and its estimated 40 daily truck trips, originally had raised quality-of-life and safety concerns for nearby property owners, who described the project as “massive.” At meetings in July and August township...

Today’s Campaign Update (Because The Campaign Never Ends Are you ready for a deadlocked Democrat convention next year? – Because that’s where all of this Democrat traveling clown show is headed. Fauxcahontas is now an even more-clear favorite to get to the convention with the most delegates next July, although her chances of arriving there with a full majority needed to win on the first ballot remain small. Hell, she’s already playing the role of the front-runner in the debates. Last night in Houston, she stood quietly for the most part while also-ran doofuses like Irish Bob O’Rourke and Julian...

My complete thoughts on last night’s debate:Everything else is irrelevant.If you missed it and for some masochistic reason wish to relive it I’d recommend Stephen Green’s Drunk Blogging thread, where he summarized the evening thusly: This wasn't a debate. It was an over-long display of huge egos touting small ideas to well-meaning (but sadly misinformed) kids and preening celebrity infotainment newsreaders. BTW, the “Enchantment” card above gave me an idea for the perfect logo for the Democrats 2020 campaign, regardless of their candidate “They all look like game show hosts to me…”Some would say I was a lost man in a...

[Catholic Caucus] Viganò: Schism Francis Blames on Others Is Made By Himself Pope Francis was talking on September 10 about a possible schism “because he knows the Amazon Synod may provoke one,” Archbishop Carlo Viganò told InsideTheVatican.com (September 11). Viganò notices that Francis is ready to say that “others” are making the schism. But in reality, "he is provoking it himself.” The archbishop asks whether this is the “attitude of a pastor” who cares for his faithful. He stresses that it would be Francis' duty “to prevent a schism.”

“Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35–37). John looked at Jesus as He walked nearby, and repeated to his disciples what he had proclaimed to the crowds on the previous day: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Having heard their teacher speak again those powerful words, the two disciples followed Jesus. John’s willingness to unhesitatingly hand them over to Him is further evidence of his self-effacing humility and complete...

Today is officially money bomb Friday on Freerepublic, if you have never donated or it has been a while, today is the perfect day for you to give and lets finish her off!

Lidl, the German discount grocer that’s growing in Maryland, will begin hiring more than 200 people next month for its regional headquarters and distribution center in Perryville. The food retailer plans to hire warehouse workers during a September 5 event, the first of several job fairs planned to fill positions. The warehouse in Cecil County will support new Lidl stores opening next year and in the future along the East Coast. Salaries start at $15 an hour plus benefits, which can include health, dental and vision plans, a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match and possible performance bonuses. The...

In a recent letter to The New York Times, Marquette theologian Daniel Maguire suggested that the Catholic Church was headed toward a three-way schism. Writing about Pope Francis’ reforms to the annulment process, Maguire predicted: Catholicism is going the way of its parent, Judaism. In Judaism there are Reform as well as Conservative and Orthodox communities. This arrangement is not yet formalized in Catholicism, but the outlines of a similar broadening are in place …. While conservative and orthodox Catholics welcome this annulment concession by the Vatican, reform Catholics don’t need it. Their consciences are their Vatican. Reform Catholics, whose...

No sane person enjoys standing in an airport security line. In some cases, especially when you’re late for your flight, the wait to get through security can seem like hours or even days. And wait times to make it through airport security have indeed gone up over the last 20 or so years in response to terrorism threats. Fortunately developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are beginning to make it easier to get through airport security. Airports, airlines and government security agencies generally must balance two competing objectives. The first is to ensure that robust and effective aviation security programs are...

Harvard accepted $8.9M from Jeffrey Epstein — but no money after the pedophile’s 2008 guilty plea. Epstein was also made a Visiting Fellow in Harvard's Department of Psychology in 2005 at the urging of former faculty member Stephen Kosslyn. The news follows revelations that Epstein donated $7.5M to MIT — money MIT pocketed after, and despite, his pleading guilty to soliciting sex from an underage girl. “We are seeking to learn more about the nature of that appointment from Dr. Kosslyn, who no longer works at the University,” Harvard president Lawrence S. Bacow said in an email to students, alumni...