Free Republic

Same-sex marriage, which has been the law of the land across the U.S. since 2015, is a settled matter to most Americans — 71% of whom, in an all-time high this year, support it. But it still leaves plenty who are not so sure. That explains the intersection of two headline-grabbing events on the subject this week: one, the Senate, including 12 Republicans, advancing the landmark Respect for Marriage Act, which will provide federal protections for same-sex marriage with full passage and presidential signature (as it's on track to get). And, two, just a couple of days earlier, actress Candace...

The Justice Department has opened an antitrust investigation into the owner of Ticketmaster, whose sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets descended into chaos this week, said two people with knowledge of the matter. The investigation is focused on whether Live Nation Entertainment has abused its power over the multibillion-dollar live music.

LATAM Airlines plane crashes on Peruvian runway, two firefighters dead By Marco Aquino LIMA, Nov 18 (Reuters) - A LATAM Airlines (LTM.SN) jet collided with a firetruck on the runway as it was taking off from the airport in Peru's capital Lima on Friday, resulting in the death of two firefighters, the carrier said. Peru's health ministry said at 7 p.m. (0000 GMT) that 20 passengers were being treated in a clinic, and at least two were in serious condition. The airline said no passengers or crew members were killed. The ministry said 61 people had been moved to nearby...

No one wants to sit down with foes who bomb their homes indiscriminately and target their energy infrastructure, plunging households into darkness and forcing surgeons in hospitals to perform operations by torchlight. And as the remains of civilians tortured by Russian soldiers occupying the southern city of Kherson are unearthed, the cold fury Ukrainians felt at the documented abuses — from rape to casually gunning down non-combatants in Bucha and Irpin — only intensifies. .... Nuts!” also fairly sums up the reaction of “ordinary” Ukrainians I spoke with this week, as to whether they would endorse peace negotiations — and...

19th November 202233rd Saturday in Ordinary Time St. Fidelis Basilica, Victoria, Kansas Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green First readingApocalypse 11:4-12 ©The prophets will die who have been a plague to the worldI, John, heard a voice saying: ‘These, my two witnesses, are the two olive trees and the two lamps that stand before the Lord of the world. Fire can come from their mouths and consume their enemies if anyone tries to harm them; and if anybody does try to harm them he will certainly be killed in this way. They are able to lock up the sky so that...

90% of our world has no idea what has just occurred. Last year’s 36% excess mortality rate in the US in ONE year equates to more vaccine deaths than ALL Vietnam War deaths, combined. An ongoing conspiracy of silence among governments, pharmaceuticals, religious, healthcare, academic, media, insurance and investment banking “leaders” amounts to the greatest crime in our lifetimes. Any elected politician or industry leader refusing to share factual information and fully disclose vaccine risk data with those placing trust in them is guilty of genocide. There’s no way to sugar coat this truth with political correctness. It’s no one’s...

Russian troops are reinforcing their position in Crimea in anticipation of attacks from Ukraine, a Russia-installed regional official admitted. “Fortification works aimed at guaranteeing Crimeans’ security are being conducted under my supervision,” Russia’s regional governor of the annexed peninsula, Sergei Aksyonov, said Friday. The prospect of a showdown over Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in the clandestine operation that began the war, has loomed into view due to a series of Ukrainian successes in a counteroffensive conducted this fall. Russia’s retreat from the west bank of the Dnieper River not only freed the key city of Kherson...

Twitter CEO Elon Musk posted a poll on the platform on Friday to ask users if they believe former President Trump’s account should be restored. Twitter permanently suspended Trump’s account in the aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection following tweets he made that the company determined to be in violation of its policy against glorifying or inciting violence. But Musk, who completed his acquisition of the company last month, has indicated a hesitancy to continue Trump’s suspension and a general opposition to lifetime bans. Musk commented on the poll, “Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” a Latin phrase meaning “the voice...

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) went down to the House floor on Thursday to announce her farewell to the Democratic leadership and the American people. […] “My colleagues, I stand before you as Speaker of the House. As a wife. A mother. A grandmother. A devout Catholic. A proud Democrat,” said Pelosi. “And a patriotic American: a citizen of the greatest Republic in the history of the world.” …

Now that the FTX ponzi scheme has collapsed costing investors billions of dollars in losses, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif), who was photographed posing with FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, was asked if she would give back her share of the ill-gotten gains. She declined, saying that "I didn't know the money I got was stolen. None us us did. I am innocent. Republicans took some of the money too. They are just as guilty as me." Bankman-Fried blames his girlfriend for the fraud and alleges that his donations to politicians were a manifestation of his "devotion to democracy." In addition to...

...In Nov. 18 letters to White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain and other top administration officials, 19 Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee said they need testimony on issues including border security, school board threats and claims of bias within the FBI and Justice Department... ...The Judiciary and Oversight probes are expected to be among a raft of Republican investigations into Biden and his administration next year. The list of investigatory topics also includes China, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic ...

“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger” (Proverbs 19:15).

GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia says that the newly announced special counsel investigations of former President Donald Trump will be "defunded" after Republicans seize control of the House.... ...The Holman Rule, which was introduced to the House in 1876, allows members of Congress to propose amendments to appropriations bills... ...Republican lawmakers attempted to use the rule multiple times in 2017 and 2018, with none of their amendments ultimately passing.,,,

Please join with fellow FREEPERS in prayer for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Agri-Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, Technology, and the Media.This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14) Forum threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind.IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS!

At Forrester Creations, Ridge goes over a business matter with Justin and Carter, who muses to his boss and friend, “We all know how you like to take things slow.” Justin grins. He heard about the big news that Ridge and Taylor are getting hitched. Carter says she makes him happy but deep down they both know he still loves Brooke.

France has re-ignited simmering diplomatic tensions with Australia after Emmanuel Macron warned that the country entered a “nuclear confrontation” with China by choosing to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.... ...He told reporters in Bangkok that Australia’s original deal with France was “not confrontational to China because they are not nuclear-powered submarines”. “But the choice made by prime minister Morrison was the opposite, re-entering into nuclear confrontation..."

CNN's morning anchors could hardly hide their disgust Friday after viewing the viral clip of "Jeopardy!" contestants apparently not knowing who Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was. All three contestants failed to answer a clue last week that read, "She’s the first Black woman on the Supreme Court and the first justice to have been a federal public defender." After playing the clip, co-host Don Lemon took off his glasses dramatically and sighed. While Kaitlan Collins said she didn't think it was "that surprising" that the contestants didn't know the answer, Lemon was shocked. "These are smart people, though!"...

With the holiday season just around the corner, the U.S. Postal Service is looking to hire about 28,000 seasonal workers and is installing 137 new package sorting machines in an effort to avoid shipping delays. But postal worker representatives say Americans could see after-dark or even nighttime deliveries....

It has almost become trendy for women to talk about their battle with mental illness online. You immediately score sympathy points from people if you express how much you've been struggling with depression or anxiety. Because the rates of mental illness have been growing, along with the influence from Big Pharma, there are nearly 80 million Americans who are currently on psychiatric drugs. Various celebrities are praised for speaking up about their mental health struggles, from Selena Gomez to Lena Dunham to Zayn Malik. Many of these celebrities have also been open about their use of psychiatric drugs in order...

Now that Republicans have officially captured majority control of the U.S. House of Representatives and will soon assume control of powerful House committees with subpoena power, there’s much work to be done.Given the party deadlock that will likely prevent any significant legislative accomplishments, Republicans are expected to launch a series of investigations that could eventually lead to impeachment proceedings, but not necessarily against President Joe Biden, USA Today reported.Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas would likely be at the top of the list for potential impeachment targets since Republicans will probably focus heavily on the crisis at the southern...