Free Republic

3 “For the 28 years that he served as chancellor of Germany, Bismarck preserved what he had built by a restrained and wise diplomacy, which was the single most important element in maintaining the peace of Europe.” – Henry Kissinger Some people complain I never have a good word to say about the United States. That’s not quite true. I am sure if I dig deep enough, I can find a piece or two from a daily column that spans more than a decade where I said something nice. But today, I will change tracks: George H.W. Bush, the 41st...

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A Florida man is behind bars after he attempted to steal an airplane at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport so he could fly to California to meet his girlfriend while carrying nearly 500 grams of marijuana, according to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department. On Saturday, officers were alerted that a stolen vehicle had been found at the airport, and while in the process of locating that vehicle, officers were flagged down by a man who said it was his vehicle that was stolen. The victim told officers that a man unknown to him...

The Jan. 6 committee takes its place alongside the Watergate panel, the Truman committee and a few other congressional investigations that leave a profound historical mark. While unique, it’s a case study in how to conduct a serious investigation. The careful, exhaustive and private preparation of interviews and gathering evidence set the stage for the compelling public hearings — which left no doubt that the President of the United States attempted a coup to remain in power and sabotage democracy. The panel, led by Democratic chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Republican Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), showed that the Jan. 6 deadly...

Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw is detailing why he voted against the $1.7 trillion omnibus package on Friday, paving the way for President Joe Biden's signature after the monster legislation was passed in the U.S. Senate. He's also calling claims lawmakers didn't have enough time to read the legislation an "excuse" for voting against it, arguing there are much better reasons why the bill should have been opposed.

Pope Francis prayed for peace as St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kyiv prepared for what believers hope will be a peaceful Christmas. It’s here where we meet Lesya and Valeriy. They are two volunteers in Ukraine’s civil defense forces areas of these are who married in March at a military-style ceremony after Russia invaded Ukraine. Video of their wedding was seen worldwide. Nine months later, Lesya has left the army, but Valeriy continues to serve. But Lesya is happy they are briefly reunited to celebrate Christmas. “We share this light like we share love and kindness and peace,” she said as...

President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Ukrainians to have “patience and faith” in a defiant Christmas address after a deadly wave of Russian strikes pounded the southern city of Kherson. Ten months into Russia’s war on Ukraine, Zelensky spoke of endurance and pushing through to the end, while acknowledging that “freedom comes at a high price.” He urged the nation to stand firm in the face of a grim winter of energy blackouts, the absence of loved ones and the ever-present threat of Russian attacks. Zelensky’s message came after Ukrainian officials said Russia had launched deadly rocket strikes into downtown Kherson...

Just try and decipher what this really means. / NORTHSTATE, Calif. — The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) approved over $74 million in grants recently to protect 54,000 acres of agricultural lands at risk of development. The investments are part of Round 8 of the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC), a state program protecting agricultural lands, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening primarily rural economies. To elaborate on the impact of the program, Executive Director of the California Strategic Growth Council Lynn von Koch-Liebert reiterated the Growth Council's mission, expressing the critical nature that this action serves for land...

(Daily readings from the USCCB)So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Luke 2:16–19Merry Christmas! Our Advent preparations have been completed, and we are now invited by our Lord to enter into the glorious celebration of His birth!How well do you understand the awe-inspiring mystery of Christmas?...

At Christmas, instead of a lot of pop Christmas songs, I have been listening to passages from Handel's Messiah" oratorio, including the powerfully beautiful Christmas-oriented "For unto us a child is born" based on the writings of the Prophet Isaiah, and the soaringly magnificent Hallelujah Chorus. To hear these, compared to everything else makes me ask if this was the pinnacle of human musical achievement? Will there ever be anything greater? An argument can be made for it at least this far. This oratorio, after all, is touched by eternity. We listen to this joyful piece today, nearly 300 years...

Congress’ $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill includes a number of provisions that provide support to organizations that help illegal immigrants by providing shelter, legal support and other forms of aid.

Russian President Vladimir Putin blasted the West for trying to "tear apart" Russia, in extracts from an interview to be aired on national television later Sunday. "At the core of it all is the policy of our geopolitical opponents aiming to tear apart Russia, historical Russia," Putin said. "They have always tried to 'divide and conquer'... Our goal is something else -- to unite the Russian people," he said. Putin has used the concept of "historical Russia" to argue that Ukrainians and Russians are one people -- undermining Kyiv's sovereignty and justifying his 10-month offensive in Ukraine. "We are acting...

"It is your call how you want to handle the provisional ballots," the Pima County elections director wrote to the county recorder.Following the Nov. 8 midterm elections, officials in Pima County, Ariz., struggled to determine how to handle provisional ballots cast by unregistered voters, discrepant provisional ballot totals, and ballots cast by voters with old addresses — even asking the secretary of state's office for guidance.The confusion and uncertainty clouding county election officials' decision-making are revealed in newly released internal emails obtained through a public records request submitted by America First Legal Foundation.A week after Election Day, Pima County Recorder...

Conserve Energy: Extreme Cold Causing Gas Supply Shortage Due to frigid temperatures and an increased demand on interstate pipelines, Con Edison asks natural gas customers to help conserve supplies Posted on: December 24, 2022 - 9:49pm This message is being sent on behalf of ConEdison as it is of community wide interest. Please conserve energy as we face a heating gas shortage across the Northeast. Simple things can make a big difference. Set your thermostats lower than usual if health permits Postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves, dishwashers, and clothes dryers until other times Turn off non-essential lights,...

Over 20 years ago in 1996, I was driving to Phoenix, Arizona to catch a flight to Wisconsin. I had the radio on. The news was reporting a horrific bear attack on Mount Lemmon, near Tucson, Arizona. A teenage girl had been badly mauled by a bear, in her tent, as part of a 4-H outing. A camp counselor had accessed a handgun and shot the bear, driving it off. As the hours rolled along, the AP stories started getting more vague and the story less heroic. The Internet wasn't well developed in 1996. It took me several years to...

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has not been seen for days amid a historic storm battering the region, was spotted attending Christmas midnight mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan on Saturday night. When probed by The Post on where he had been for the past couple of days, Hizzoner quipped he’d been “getting some rest and hiding from The Post.” But just days earlier on Tuesday night, Adams — who’s known for his late-night lifestyle — made sure to drop by and party at the New York Post’s Christmas bash in Chelsea.

A teenager was arrested Friday in connection with the death of a 16-year-old in a shooting at a LaGrange restaurant, police said. Ah’Traveon Van’Quavious Stephens, 18, was arrested by Atlanta police at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and booked into the Troup County Jail. He is facing one count each of murder and aggravated assault in the June 24 incident that killed Laquan Dewberry, according to LaGrange police. Officers were called to Mason’s World, a restaurant along Hogansville Road, and a car wash along Vernon Street regarding multiple people shot. A teenage gathering at the restaurant ended in gunfire after an altercation...

Chicago — A 19-year-old man who was adjudicated delinquent in juvenile court for three carjackings this year and illegal gun possession in 2021 was found carrying a gun during a traffic stop in Chicago this week, prosecutors said. Jamarrie Armstrong was ordered to pay a $3,000 bail deposit to get out of jail on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of cannabis ... Chicago cops saw five passengers climb into an Uber driver’s Kia and pulled the car over for safety and seatbelt violations Tuesday, prosecutor Rhianna Biernat said. She said that some of the four...

Among the elements contained within the relevant portion of the bill are additions to the scope and authority of AARO, with Congress now directing the Office to report directly to Defense and Intelligence Community leadership. The bill also directs AARO to extend the scope of its inquiries further back into history to review potentially relevant government records dating as far back as 1945. *snip* Significantly, Sec. 1673 of the FY 2023 NDAA also outlines protections for U.S. personnel that have signed any such agreements [NDA's--Non Disclosure Agreements], allowing them to come forward with any information and report their involvement with...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a Christmas message said Ukrainians will celebrate the holidays with one difference this year, as the country observes its first Christmas since its conflict with Russia began. “We will celebrate our holidays! As always. We will smile and be happy. As always. The difference is one. We will not wait for a miracle. After all, we create it ourselves,” Zelensky said on Saturday. Christmas Eve marked 10 months since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Much of the world initially expected Ukraine to only hold out for weeks, but instead it has gained much of...

Residents and businesses in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood have expressed frustration about the city’s handling of a local “safe sleeping” site, citing erratic behavior from homeless people along with interruptions to traffic and normal business functions.