Free Republic

Not surprisingly, yesterday Hunter Biden stiffed the Oversight Committee's request for him to appear for a deposition under oath behind closed doors. Instead, he chose to come to the venue and make a bunch of whiny statements while trying to set the rules: “Let me state as clearly as I can: My father was not financially involved in my business, not as a practicing lawyer, not as a board member of Burisma. Not in my partnership with a Chinese private businessman. Not my investments at home nor abroad and certainly not as an artist." As he has done for his...

A menorah set up for Hanukkah at Oakland’s Lake Merritt, in the heart of the city, was vandalized early Wednesday, leading to condemnation by local officials — and a motor rally around the lake Wednesday night by Jews with menorahs on their cars. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who had participated in a menorah-lighting ceremony at the site just days before, issued a statement blasting the “desecration and act of vandalism,” which appeared to be a blatant act of antisemitism. Oakland’s Jewish community is an essential part of Oakland’s diversity and strength and the City of Oakland takes incidents like the...

Company must stop false claims, turn over money to FTC, and notify consumers The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against Florida-based EXOTOUSA LLC. (d/b/a Old Southern Brass) for falsely claiming that certain company products were manufactured in the U.S, and that the company was veteran-operated and donated 10 percent of its sales to military service charities. The FTC’s proposed order would stop the company and its owner, Austin Oliver, from making these deceptive claims and require them to pay a monetary judgment. “This company and its owner’s brazen deception cheated consumers who wanted to support U.S. manufacturing, veteran-operated businesses,...

For at least two and a half thousand years, virtually all educated people believed that knowledge was the savior of humanity. Even Maimonides wrote in his “Guide for the Perplexed” that once all of humankind had knowledge, the world would be at peace. Then came the 20th century. The most educated nation in world history—a land to which all other nations looked for science, psychology, culture, philosophy, reason, and ethics—applied its knowledge to commit crimes against humanity that no barbarian could have imagined. “Does calling for the genocide of the Jews violate your institution’s code of conduct concerning bullying and...

The former home of the late Michael Nesmith, a member of the iconic made-for-TV band, The Monkees, is up for grabs. Nesmith, who died in 2021, lived in this three-bedroom, 3.5-bath home in Carmel Valley, CA, about 20 minutes from the coast. The house is listed for $3.5 million. The ranch-style pad is spread over 3,365 square feet, all tucked into a gated community called Sleepy Hollow. The dwelling sits on more than 6 acres, surrounded by majestic oaks and stunning vistas. The living room features a vaulted, beamed ceiling with large windows and a brick fireplace. This main room...

Amanda Blanc: 'No non-diverse hire at Aviva without it being signed off by me' Chief executive revealed policy to MPs on Treasury select committee yesterday The boss of Aviva has revealed senior white male recruits have to get a final sign-off from her and the chief people officer as part of the firm's drive to improve diversity. Amanda Blanc, who became the insurer's first female chief executive in 2020, said the policy formed part of its efforts to end sexism in the financial services industry. The 56-year-old told MPs on the Treasury select committee that 'there is no non-diverse hire...

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a rare apology on Thursday when a pensioner complained to him about the price of eggs. During Putin's end-of-year question and answer session with the media and with members of the public calling in from across Russia, pensioner Irina Akopova was shown seated at her kitchen table and addressing the president by video link. She complained that prices for eggs, chicken breasts and wings had all skyrocketed. "Vladimir Vladimirovich, take pity on pensioners! We don't get millions in our pensions. Sort this out - we have no one to turn to," she said. "I'm very...

(Table of serial killing crime statistics by Race by Decade between 1900-2020. The second Race column, Black, increases from 23% of serial killings in 1900 to 54% in 2020.) The Radford/FGCU Annual Report on Serial Killer Statistics: 2023 was finally published!“The purpose of this annual report is to provide the most accurate statistics possible about serial killers and their victims.”Key findings: Since 1990, the majority of serial killers were Black (50.9%) followed by White (36.3%), Hispanic (10.6%), Asian (1.9%), and Native American (.4%). In all decades, the percentage of Black serial killers exceeds the percentage of Black citizens in the...

WASHINGTON — A Jan. 6 defendant whose attorney said was infected with "Foxmania" from watching too much Fox News pleaded guilty in connection with the attack on the U.S. Captiol. Anthony Alexander Antonio, a 29-year-old who lives in Delaware, pleaded guilty to a felony count of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting. The guilty plea came the same day the Supreme Court agreed to take up a challenge to the obstruction of an official proceeding charge. At an early hearing in his case, Antonio's attorney Joseph Hurley said that Fox News “played constantly” in his home for...

Daily Readings from the USCCBFrom the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.” Matthew 11:12Are you among those who are “violent” and are taking the Kingdom of Heaven “by force?” Hopefully you are! From time to time, Jesus’ words are difficult to understand. This passage above presents us with one of those situations. Of this passage, Saint Josemaría Escrivá states that the “violent” are Christians who have “fortitude” and “boldness” when the environment they find themselves in is hostile to the faith (See Christ is Passing...

14 December 2023 Saint John of the Cross, Priest, Doctor on Thursday of the 2nd week of Advent St. John of the Cross parish, Manila Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst readingIsaiah 41:13-20 ©I, the Holy One of Israel, am your redeemerI, the Lord, your God,I am holding you by the right hand;I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid,I will help you.’Do not be afraid, Jacob, poor worm,Israel, puny mite.I will help you – it is the Lord who speaks –the Holy One of Israel is your...

In a historic move, the U.S. House of Representatives has officially opened an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The House voted 221 to 212, escalating a probe that has been underway for months and putting a spotlight on the Biden family’s finances and business dealings. This significant development in 2023 is marked by contentious debates, with Democrats asserting that there is insufficient evidence of Biden’s involvement in corruption to warrant impeachment. However, the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Joe Biden paints a contrasting picture.

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Sounding the alarm on an uptick in juvenile crime, some Baltimore City residents are demanding lawmakers take action this upcoming session. Claiming young offenders are putting residents on edge and at risk, in a letter sent to Delegate Luke Clippinger, the association wrote, “We are deeply troubled by the surge in juvenile crime, specifically an increase in homicides, non-fatal shootings, armed carjackings, and car thefts within our district and across Baltimore.” The letter went on to demand tangible changes to the juvenile justice system, including: * The charging process for juveniles * Amendments to probation periods for...

Hard-line conservative Republicans in the House are mounting a last-ditch effort against the annual defense authorization bill that is set for a final vote this week. They object to its exclusion of culture war measures and inclusion of a short-term extension of controversial warrantless surveillance powers in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). “To be very clear, if Republicans vote for this, they’re voting for a bill that will continue abortion tourism, will continue transgender surgery funding, will continue diversity-equity-inclusion funding … and you’re voting to extend FISA,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said. “Good luck going selling that to voters.”Conservatives...

Vladimir Putin was caught off guard today during his marathon end of year press conference when he looked up to the big screen expecting to see a Russian citizen phoning in - and instead came face to face with an AI deepfake of himself. A student from Saint Petersburg State University had constructed the visual and audio likeness of the Russian President, and took the opportunity to ask the real Putin to share his thoughts on the dangers of AI and if he uses body doubles. 'Vladimir Vladimirovich, hello... I would like to ask you, is it true that you...

The Bible In Paintings ~ Encouragement for Applying and Appreciating God's Word ~ •Drawings•Engravings•Facades•Frescoes•Illuminations•Miniatures•Mosaics•Photographs•Reliefs•Statues•Tapestries•Windows• MARY’S VISIT TO COUSIN ELIZABETH L U K E CHAPTER 1 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and ELIZABETH WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my...

WASHINGTON, Saturday, Dec. 12. A dispatch was to-day received at the headquarters of the army from Maj.-Gen. BANKS, commanding; the Department of the Gulf, inclosing a dispatch which had just been received from Maj.-Gen. WASHBURNE, at Fort Esperanza, Pass Cavallo, Matagorda Bay. The command of the Bay gives us, substantially, the control of Central and Western Texas, and all of the important points on the east coast, except Galveston. FORT ESPERANZA, Wednesday, Dec. 2. At 1 A.M. Nov. 30, the rebels blew up the magazines of this fort, having evacuated two hours before. It is a very large and complete...

The 110 is one of Los Angeles's busiest and most roaringly hellish freeways. Some people consider it the worst, or pretty close. My choice for 'worst' is the 101, but the 110 is right up there. If you have ever been on the 110, you would know that it isn't all that wide, and it's loaded with big rigs roaring down in high-speed convoys, coming and going from the Port of Los Angeles. SNIP So which highway did a band of leftist goofs, this group called "If Not Now LA" who apparently were leftist Jews imagining that appeasing Hamas would...

Canadian National Curlers father & son died from heart attacks on same day!47 yo Jamie Brannen died in his sleep on Sep.23, 2022.Hours later his 73 yo father Robert Brannen collapsed with a heart attack while walking his dog!

Although most in the West consider Hamas, which brutally massacred some 1,400 Israelis on October 7, 2023, to be anything from a terrorist to a nationalist movement, the group sees itself first and foremost as a religious—namely, Islamic—movement, dedicated to enforcing the draconian dictates of Muslim law (sharia), including through jihad.“Hamas” means “zeal” in Arabic and is an Arabic acronym from harakat al-muqawamah al-islamiyyah (the Islamic Resistance Movement). The group is primarily concentrated in the Gaza Strip.Created primarily by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas has the stated goal of replacing the entire...