Free Republic

There's only one winnable choice for Joe Biden's vice president pick: "The woman in Michigan," as our incumbent President calls Gretchen Whitmer. What the American people -- not to mention the world -- want and need in these dangerous times is a person who, if necessary, can slip seamlessly into the job of president amidst a global crisis. That has to mean a governor rather than a senator. No senator (with the possible exception of Mitt Romney), has the managerial chops to step in and assume control on a moment's notice of the world's largest corporation: the US government, currently...

The full quote, as provided in a pool report: I believe, because, sort of, the blinders have been taken off, because of this COVID crisis, I think people are realizing, “My Lord. Look at what is possible. Look at the institutional changes we can make – without us becoming a ‘socialist country,’ or any of that malarkey – that we can make to provide the opportunities to change the institutional drawbacks ...” from education, all the way through to all the other things we talked about. And if I sound like I’m excited, I am, because I really think, think...

Our best chance at saving America is to open America. Now. Certainly, states like New York and New Jersey, must open at a slower pace than Minnesota and Iowa. But we must ground all decisions in reason and science—or politicians inebriated by power will gain more dominance by peddling fear. “Safer at home!” is chanted on social media by the Communist Party of China’s co-conspirator—the World Health Organization (WHO)—and many Americans are buying the lie—hook, line and sinker. Fear (the most irrational motivator) is causing Americans to relinquish the ability to think for themselves, or to face the genuine virus...

Two of the greatest goal-scorers in NHL history will square off in the digital sphere this Wednesday when Wayne Gretzky battles Alex Ovechkin in a best-of-three competition on EA Sports’ NHL 20 game on XBox. “The Great One vs. The Great Eight Showcase” is a fundraiser, with proceeds going to the Edmonton Food Bank and Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation’s ‘Feeding the Frontlines’ fund, which provides meals to heroes in the medical community. “This has been an unbelievably exciting opportunity for us to work on,” said MSE’s senior vice president of strategic initiatives, Zach Leonsis. “Not only are the proceeds...

WASHINGTON, April 21 (Reuters) - Harvard University said it plans to keep an $8.6 million grant it received as part of a stimulus package to blunt the economic impact of the coronavirus lockdown, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump who pledged the university would return it. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Trump pointed to the institution's ample endowment - worth nearly $41 billion - as the reason why it should hand over the money. "Harvard is going to pay back the money and they shouldn't be taking it," Trump said, adding that Harvard has one of the largest endowments...

EVERETT, Wash. -- Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney has become the latest sheriff in Washington to voice his displeasure at the state's current "Stay at Home" orders amid the COVID-19 outbreak and reiterated his vow not to enforce it. Fortney took to Facebook late Monday night in a several-paragraph statement questioning Gov. Jay Inslee's plans amid what Fortney called were "drastic measures as the suspension of constitutional rights." While acknowledging that the COVID-19 outbreak is "a very serious issue and the appropriate precautions need to be taken to protect our most vulnerable populations," Fortney stated he's concerned about small businesses...

Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Mike Hunter tangled Tuesday over tribal gaming compacts, signed in an elaborate ceremony earlier in the day, that authorize the Comanche and Otoe-Missouria tribal governments to begin sports betting and banked table games such as true blackjack. Stitt hailed the agreements as a breakthrough in tribal gaming negotiations, but Hunter said the governor exceeded his powers.

Houston State Senator Paul Bettencourt is calling on Mayor Sylvester Turner to halt controversial public housing projects until the coronavirus shutdown is over. The Houston Housing Authority claims it cannot provide public records on the planned 84-million-dollar land deals because it is closed for business, all while they’re moving ahead to close on the real estate deals. “It is anti-transparency,” says Sen. Bettencourt. “Just because you’ve got a COVID pandemic, there’s nothing that should suspend public knowledge of these projects and you shouldn’t use that as a reason not to provide the information. The mayor should not be proceeding.” The...

President Trump said Wednesday that he has instructed the U.S. Navy to “shoot down and destroy” Iranian vessels that harass American ships at sea. “I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea,” Trump tweeted. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1252932181447630848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1252932181447630848&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fconservativeus.com%2Firgc-reveals-new-video-of-the-american-warships-which-were-surrounded-by-iranian-speed-boats%2F When IRGC speedboats harry U.S. warships, it is tempting to conclude Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ campaign against the Islamic Republic is failing. But think of how much more aggressive and reckless Iran would be without sanctions. IRGC released a new video of the American warships which were surrounded by the...

Three years ago I attended the Conservative Political Action Conference and was struck by something I later concluded was probably a figment of my imagination. This year I returned, and, rather than having my recollection dispelled, it was confirmed. The young women who attend CPAC are spectacular. No kidding: What’s up with this concentration of incredibly attractive young, conservative women? It’s noticeable and remarkable. They are beautiful and stylish in the way French women often are, which is to say in their own way, not in a conforming or predictable way. They all look like the girl the high school...

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — In response to plans for a dirt-track event on Saturday, Governor Kristi Noem recommends people not attend. Noem reminded South Dakotans of the state guidance to not gather in groups of more than 10 people. Organizers of the event in Jefferson, South Dakota, have said they would limit ticket sales but it is still expected to draw hundreds of people. Noem says we are still many weeks away from peak hospitalization and infection rates. She says it is incredibly important people continue to social distance so we don’t overwhelm the health care system with COVID-19 cases.

Ya right. Well if they keep quarantining the healthy (which is the first time ever done in humanity) then we won’t have a country to make great again.

In stark contrast to most other developed countries dealing with the coronavirus, Sweden has adopted what are perhaps the least restrictive “social distancing” rules in the world, permitting most economic activity to continue in the face of the pandemic. The ongoing Swedish policy experiment of so-called “herd immunity” is quite unique. Anders Tegnell, Sweden’s chief epidemiologist and architect of the policy, explained that his country’s approach to COVID-19 is “to let the virus spread as slow as possible, while sheltering the elderly and the vulnerable until much of the population becomes naturally immune or a vaccine becomes available.” It’s premature...

New Foreign Affairs briefing notes show that in the days after the Wuhan coronavirus became known to the world, the Canadian response was to turn our government into errand boys for the Chinese government by directly asking the communists: “Is there something more we can do to assist?” Remember when Trudeau shipped Canada’s entire strategic supply of masks to China just as the Chinese spawned virus was piggy backing on flights full of travellers to Canadian airports? Well, it's worse than just that. The Canadian government ran around gathering up supplies the Chinese demanded, even running to the Red Cross...

Timeline reset: CDC confirms weeks-earlier California deathsSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Health officials say two people died with the coronavirus in California weeks before the first reported death from the disease. Santa Clara County officials said Tuesday the people died at home Feb. 6 and Feb. 17. Before this, the first U.S. death from the virus had been reported on Feb. 29 in Kirkland, Washington. The Medical Examiner-Coroner received confirmation Tuesday that tissue samples sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested positive for the virus, officials said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio was forced to temporarily close his coronavirus 'snitch hotline' over the weekend as the service was inundated with prank calls, pictures of genitalia and memes likening de Blasio to Adolf Hitler.

On Tuesday, George Stephanopoulos shared a health update following his coronavirus diagnosis. Stephanopoulos announced he tested positive for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, on Good Morning America last week. “Good news for me and my family. Last week I tested positive for COVID antibodies, confirming I cleared the virus after weeks without symptoms,” he tweeted. “I’ve also signed up for a clinical trial to donate my blood plasma and expect to make the donation in the coming weeks.” An antibody test, also known as a serological test, can help indicate whether a person has already built an...

Almost overnight, the concept of man-made global warming has become an accepted fact. Debate on this issue is rarely tolerated and millions of people are fearful that man’s activities are leading to a gradual global catastrophe. Cries to reduce auto emissions, burn less fossil fuels and shrink our carbon footprint have made people uncertain what the future holds for planet earth. The Bible however, speaks quite clearly of God’s sovereign control over the earth’s climate. Jesus said, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil...

(In light of the radical Left's Earth Day and New Green Deal). Much of ancient Israel’s plight, well documented throughout the Old Testament, was its insatiable thirst for pagan nature worship. This of course was in direct violation of the first two commandments of the Mosaic Law which commanded Israel not to worship any other false god or idol (Exodus 20:3-4). The reason why Israel was forbidden to worship other gods, the natural created order, and idols, was given in Genesis. Genesis 1 presents to the reader an ultimate Creator who made the universe out of nothing through His omnipotent...

Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney said he believes Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order is unconstitutional and he won’t enforce it. In a post on his Facebook page Tuesday night, Fortney wrote, “I believe that preventing business owners to operate their businesses and provide for their families intrudes on our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As your elected Sheriff I will always put your constitutional rights above politics or popular opinion.” Fortney also wrote that he is worried about the economy and residents’ ability to make a living. He cited other sheriffs in Washington state who also...