Free Republic

In this edition, we're focusing on a single big topic: ranked-choice voting. Some critics of the US election process argue that when most voters head to the polls in November, they don't really have much of a choice on their ballots. That's because legislative and congressional districts have been carved up -- largely by politicians themselves -- to make the maps so heavily Republican or Democratic that the people who vote in primaries have effectively picked the general election winners. And that means die-hard partisan voters -- rather than the broader electorate -- exercise enormous sway over who holds elective...

Jesus warned his disciples, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish” (Matthew 25:1-2, NKJV). If you are honest, you’ll admit, “Yes, this parable describes me. I’ve grown lazy, but I don’t want to become a foolish virgin and drift away. I want to be ready as the day of the Lord approaches.” If you want to be a wise virgin, there are two steps you must take. They’re simple, but they can’t be overlooked. First,...

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Social media users have reacted to a viral video in which Police Minister Bheki Cele says that people with tattoos have “gangster tendencies”. According to News24, Cele was speaking to the media and residents of Orlando East in Soweto, Gauteng, following the weekend fatal mass shooting at a local tavern. He assured the residents that police visibility in the area would be increased. Cele said that approximately 10 000 newly recruited police officers were in training until December 15. Following their training, they would also help to secure communities. In the same breath, Cele slammed tattoos, saying that his department...

“When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28–29). The response to the best and most astounding preaching ever—the Sermon on the Mount—was in itself very remarkable. Likely some among our Lord’s audience that day believed in Him for salvation. But quite probably the number converted was small, affirming Jesus’ assertion about the narrow gate: “there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:14). The verb translated “were amazed” means to be struck out of oneself, or to be beside oneself...

Isla was in kindergarten in Voorhees, New Jersey when the pandemic hit. Before long, remote learning flattened school into a glitchy abstraction, and she became restless, fidgety, withdrawn. Like millions of other kids, she soon fell behind. “It was a nightmare,” her mother, Lindsay, recalls. “Besides just the fact that it was hard to stay on track and listen, it caused problems with vision and headaches.” Nearly a year later, in February 2021, Isla was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Then, later that same month, Isla’s school district allowed those children who especially struggled with virtual learning to return...

The men who comprised of Christ’s closest circle decided to ask something important of their Master. “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith’” (Luke 17:5, NKJV). They wanted a greater understanding of the meaning and workings of faith. They were saying, “Lord, what sort of faith do you desire from us? Give us a revelation of the kind that pleases you. We want to grasp faith in its fullest meaning.” On the surface, their request seems commendable. However, I believe the disciples asked this of Jesus because they were confused. In the previous chapter, Christ had baffled them...

Residents of New York City captured photos and video as Monday night's sunset aligned with the street grid of Manhattan in a phenomenon known as "Manhattanhenge." Manhattanhenge, which was dubbed as such by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson as a take on Britain's Stonehenge, created a spectacle Monday evening as the setting sun lowered in perfect alignment with the streets Tuesday night's sunset will feature a similar spectacle. Manhattanhenge occurs four times a year, twice in the spring and twice in the summer. Tuesday evening's sunset will mark the last of the year.

Joe Biden admitted Tuesday he gets confused every time he hears the presidential anthem “Hail to the Chief.” “Every time I hear ‘Hail to the Chief,’ I wonder, where the hell is he?” Biden said as he began speaking to members of Congress at the annual White House Congressional Picnic. Biden continued by clarifying he was not joking. “You think I’m joking, I’m not,” he continued with a chuckle. “[I] turn around and say, ‘Where is the President?'”

The Episcopal Church House of Deputies has adopted Resolution D066 on trans-gender care. It affirms the church’s support for “gender affirming care” of any type and for any age — including children. The resolution appeared on the Deputies consent calendar. To be adopted the House of Bishops must concur.D066 (Addressing restrictions on access to gender affirming care)House of Deputies Message #39 The House of Deputies informs the House of Bishops that on Jul 8, 2022 it considered resolution D066 (Addressing restrictions on access to gender affirming care). The house acted to: AdoptResolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 80th...

Natural or home remedies for ailments and illnesses don’t always taste or smell good, but some people recommend them anyway. Are they effective? CNA Lifestyle asks the medical experts.The last time I mentioned I’d hurt my knee in a group chat, my handphone didn’t stop pinging for a few good seconds. I was inundated with “remedies” ranging from the conventional (ice and elevate the joint), the unusual (mix apple cider vinegar with water and drink it), and something quite tasty (a recipe for collagen soup). With dengue cases on the rise in recent times, you can imagine the surge in...

Future historians will marvel at how two percent of Anglicans managed to persuade the other 98 percent that they must change their minds about the clear teaching of Scripture on human sexual behavior even though the book they claim to believe in (the Bible) gave them no such mandate to do so. The combination of cultural Marxism (theological liberalism) combined with the ideology of Gramsci and the Frankfurt School to alter modes of thinking and behavior of the masses have not persuaded the three biblically grounded orthodox archbishops to change their minds; "We will not join multitudes or dine with...

Busisiwe “Busi” Lurayi, star of the Netflix comedy series “How to Ruin Christmas,” has died at her home in South Africa. She was 36. Lurayi’s family confirmed that she passed “suddenly” in a statement on the official Instagram account of her Johannesburg-based talent agency, Eye Media Artists. “We are deeply saddened to notify you of the passing of our beloved Busisiwe Lurayi,” the post reads. “Busisiwe passed away suddenly and was pronounced dead at her residence on Sunday [July 10, 2022] by medical personnel.” The official cause of “death is still unknown as we await the results of the autopsy...

Two incidents in villages in the north and northwestern parts of the country were reported at the weekend, official said Suspected jihadists killed at least 34 people in attacks on villages in northern Burkina Faso at the weekend, officials and sources said Monday. In the northwest of the country, 22 people, reportedly including children, were killed late Sunday at Bourasso in Kossi province, said Boucle du Mouhoun regional governor Babo Pierre Bassinga. "Armed men moved around the village at around 5:00 pm, firing in the air. They came back at night and blindly opened fire on people," a security source...

‘Let him talk to his pastor about this incoherence,’ said the Pontiff.VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Francis has noted the “incoherence” of President Joe Biden’s support for abortion as a Catholic, but said that he “leaves it” to Biden’s “conscience” whether to receive Holy Communion or not. Speaking to the Spanish TV network Univision in an interview segment released July 12, the 85-year-old pope condemned abortion, saying that “scientific data” show that “a month after conception, the DNA of the fetus is already present and the organs are already aligned.” “Is it fair to eliminate a human life?,” he asked....

It is almost like clockwork, and most always early morning, that Cuban migrants try to reach Florida. On Tuesday, 25 of them landed on Key Biscayne. A federal law enforcement official confirmed, as they put it, "a maritime smuggling event." This fiscal year, some 3,000 Cubans have been apprehended at sea – most repatriated to back to the island nation. Willy Allen is probably one of Miami's best known immigration lawyers. "Once you touch American territory you have the right to go before an immigration judge and seek asylum," he said. That's what the thousands upon thousands of Cubans are...

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine said on Tuesday it had carried out a long-range rocket strike against Russian forces and military equipment in southern Ukraine, territory it says it is planning to retake in a counter-offensive using hundreds of thousands of troops.The strike hit an ammunition dump in the town of Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson region and killed 52 people, Ukraine's military said. It came after Washington supplied Ukraine with advanced HIMARS mobile artillery systems which Kyiv says its forces are using with growing efficiency.The town's Russia-installed authorities gave a different version of events. The Russian TASS news agencies reported they...

Pope speaks on U.S. gun violence, abortion debate, retirement rumorsThe pope spoke about U.S. President Joe Biden's support of abortion, about gun violence in the United States and about his tentative post-retirement plans -- if the time comes. (CNS photo/courtesy Televisa Univision) VATICAN CITY (CNS) — U.S. President Joe Biden should consult with his bishop or parish priest about his stance on abortion, Pope Francis said, adding that the primary concern of bishops should be pastoral care.In an interview that aired in the United States July 11 on Univision, the Spanish-language network, the pope was asked his opinion about President...

CNN and MSNBC ignored First Lady Jill Biden's embarrassing "breakfast tacos" gaffe Monday during a speech to a Hispanic group. Biden went viral after her poorly chosen words at the 2022 UnidosUS Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, while talking about UnidosUS President Raul Yzaguirre’s work in the organization. "Raul helped build this organization with the understanding that the diversity of this community, as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio, is your strength," Biden said Monday. She also mispronounced "bodegas" in...

AB 1594 would allows individuals, groups, communities, the California attorney general and others to file a civil suit against a gun dealer or manufacturer that sells or produces a firearm that creates an unreasonable risk of harm to public health and safety, mainly assault firearms and other firearms not allowed under state law. The law also bars guns from being marketed to youth. The American Civil Liberties Union has voiced concern about both pieces of legislation and sent an open letter to the Legislature and Newsom arguing that private rights of action erodes the enforcement power of the state has...