Free Republic

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A man has registered a potato as a silencer with the ATF.

Francis-Collapse of Catholicism in Latin AmericaCatholicism has been in collapse in Latin America since the aftermath of Vatican II -- but it went into vertiginous tailspin in the pontificate of the Pope from Argentina.We have often covered this in Rorate.For instance, right after the election of Francis, in 2014, in the long post "THE COLLAPSE OF CATHOLICISM IN LATIN AMERICA:New Poll, Statistics, Tables and Graphs - Extensive Analysis", as well as in "The Latin American Exodus: Catholics become Protestants in Droves".Now, the most credible research institute on religious trends, the Pew Research Center, has released a new study specifically dealing...

Prince Harry criticized President Donald Trump over downplaying the role of NATO allies in the Afghanistan War. Trump had told Fox News in an interview that the U.S. had "never really asked anything of" its NATO allies and questioned if they would come to America's aid if called. The U.S. is the only NATO member ever to have invoked Article 5, which it did in response to the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, and allies sent troops to support the resultant war in Afghanistan. "They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan," Trump said in the interview. "And they did,...

Reporting from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ezra contrasts Switzerland’s treatment of unaccredited journalists with Canada’s growing hostility to free expression. The World Economic Forum in Davos is one of the most heavily secured gatherings on earth. It hosts all the "masters of the universe", oligarchs, bureaucrats, bankers, and political elites who believe they should run the world. Yet despite the intense security, there is one refreshing thing that stands out. The Swiss police actually respect the free press and don't succumb to credentialism. For example, a few conferences ago, Ezra recounts that while passing through a police checkpoint...

Our good FRiend, professional engineer, aka Rex Drake PE, has passed away, according to his sister, who posted on his Facebook page, as did others including myself. She also said that they don't know what happened to him yet. So very sad and sorry for this shocking and devastating loss. I met Rex several times when a group of us went on shooting weekends. He was exceptional. God rest his soul. Prayers of strength and comfort to the children and family. And his precious sidekick, his dog Mollie! His FReeREpublic page. Rex [PE] on the left.

BREAKING UPDATE: Maryland woman ARRESTED after Libs of TikTok published a video appearing to show her throwing a rock through the window of a family's home that had a Charlie Kirk flag. Police apprehended Jamie Troil Goldfarb, 48, of Takoma Park, yesterday in connection with the incident. She has been charged with 2nd Degree Assault, Malicious Destruction of Property, and Reckless Endangerment.

Vance detailed the connection between abortion and pagan child sacrifices. President Donald Trump delivered a speech to the March For Life crowd in Washington, D.C. on Friday, appearing on a massive screen at the site of the demonstration.“In 2026, as we celebrate 250 years since our founding fathers recognized the right to life in our Declaration of Independence, I want to thank every single one of you who was out on this winter day,” he said.Trump said he was proud to stand for the unborn and being the first sitting U.S. president to physically attend the March for Life...

“Energy is the chokehold to kill” the Cuban regime, said a person familiar with the discussions. The Trump administration is weighing new tactics to drive regime change in Cuba, including imposing a total blockade on oil imports to the Caribbean country, three people familiar with the plan said Thursday. That escalation has been sought by some critics of the Cuban government in the administration and backed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to two of the three people, who were granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive discussions. No decision has been made on whether to approve that move, but...

Legendary New Jersey comedian Floyd Vivino, known as “Uncle Floyd,” has died at 74. On Friday, his brother, musician Jerry Vivino, announced on social media that Floyd had passed away the previous day. “Rest in peace big brother,” Jerry posted. “You will be missed, but always remembered by friends, family and your loving fans.”

Popular conservative on liberal news network continues exposing leftist viewers to reality!Conservative CNN pundit Scott Jennings is on a roll this week, destroying a trio of liberals as he promotes President Donald Trump’s America First agenda from within the belly of the mainstream media beast. On Tuesday, during a panel discussion featuring Parkland High School shooting survivor-turned anti-2nd Amendment activist Cameron Kasky, Jennings called out his colleagues for allowing the young March For Our Lives co-founder to accuse President Trump of being “part of” a “human sex trafficking network.” “You gonna let that sit?” Jennings asked after Kasky made the...

"Yes, the @DeptofWar has directed energy weapons. Yes, we are scaling them."

Customs and Border Protection chief Gregory Bovino was seen marching with his security detail in an oversized coat mirroring the agency’s uniform, as well as a black scarf in Minneapolis amid increased tensions following the death of Renee Nicole Good. The unique attire reminded social media users of Nazi uniforms. Bovino was the only person in the group of over a dozen federal agents seen wearing the boxy green winter trench coat and the black scarf. The coat also featured buttons and CBP’s insignia. For some social media users, the coat reminded them of similar coats the far-right fascist group...

David Falk, who holds a PhD in Egyptology from the University of Liverpool, argued the Ark was modeled on Egyptian ritual furniture, specifically shrines designed to hold a statue or idol. But unlike Egyptian shrines, the Ark contained no idol, meaning it was built to show that God's presence did not require a physical representation, Falk suggested. In ancient Egypt, sacred chests and shrines were often decorated with uraeus cobras that spat fire, symbols meant to protect and sanctify holy space. Winged goddesses also appeared on Egyptian thrones and shrines, their outstretched wings signifying protection and divine power.

OK, for those Minnesota Freepers, here is a list of all the businesses in Minneapolis-St Paul who are closing in support with and "solidarity" with the ICE Out protests. Many of these are one-offs, just the kind of business that you'd expect to find on the list. There other some other more well-known ones such as Surly Brewing, Half Price Books and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Until recently, I lived in the Twin Cities and I've never heard of a good number of these places. Frankly, I hope they lose money, have their furnaces go out or water pipes...

WASHINGTON — The House Thursday passed four appropriations bills to fund the government and avert a partial shutdown, but Democrats largely objected to spending on the Department of Homeland Security amid aggressive immigration enforcement in communities across the country. ... Democrats who joined Republicans in voting for the Homeland Security bill included Reps. Jared Gold of Maine, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington state, Tom Suozzi of New York, Don Davis of North Carolina, Laura Gillen of New York and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas. Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted against the DHS funding bill.

People who have had mpox (also known as monkeypox) may experience persistent physical effects, such as skin discoloration and scarring, as well as ongoing psychological and social impact, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. In an analysis of more than 150 people who had mpox during the large outbreak in 2022, nearly 60% reported lasting physical aftereffects, 49% reported ongoing issues related to their social life and 45% reported increased depression 11 to 18 months later.

VIDEOFormer DC police officer and J6 Crises Actor Michael Fanone went full PSYCHOPATH on Capitol Hill when he couldn't handle the truth that is now coming out.

Sir Keir Starmer pulled his deal to surrender the Chagos Islands on Friday night. Just days after Donald Trump blasted the UK for 'an act of great stupidity' in signing the strategically important archipelago away, Labour withdrew the legislation from a planned debate in the House of Lords on Monday. While sources claimed the process was simply being delayed, critics warned that without US support it was effectively dead. Conservative peer Daniel Hannan said: 'We have secured a breathing space. It is now up to Trump and the people around him. If the President sticks to what he said this...

The family of a Canadian backpacker who was found dead on a heritage-listed tourist destination in Queensland, Australia, has been given the preliminary findings from her autopsy. The body of Piper James, 19, was found on Seventy Five Mile Beach on K’gari (Fraser Island) just after 5 a.m. Monday. Friends of James have revealed she had told them she was going for a swim around that time. Two passersby discovered James’ body, surrounded by a pack of dingoes. The preliminary findings from James’ autopsy have since been delivered to her father, Todd, and his wife, Angela, with the ABC reporting...