Free Republic

First, I want to thank Jim for providing a forum where many of us cut our teeth on politics and gave us a convenient meeting place to discuss conservative principles, debate policy and strategy, and organize our efforts.

For about a decade, I have enjoyed posting here, organizing/attending local FReeps and rallies, and been a donor to FR. I wish I could say I was a more active FReeper over that last year but personal and work-related constraints have limited my time here (including not being able to update the FR Lexicon in 2010...sorry about that).

Unfortunately, a few years ago, when religious issues became a more common topic on FR, I was concerned that it would only lead to a distraction from common conservative principles we all espouse. Thus, I never participated on any of the religious threads. Worse, however, I was worried that it would lead to unnecessary infighting and attacks on very personal issues that would harm conservative efforts and undermine FR's membership. That seems to have happened.

As I've noted on some of the infamous "bug zapper" related threads, this is Jim's site to run as he wishes. You can either abide by the decisions made or simply leave the site. Unfortunately, I now find myself in the latter category. I believe this thread showed very poor handling (by Jim Robinson and moderators, among others) of a subject (personal religious beliefs) which I don't think really should ever have been delved into on FR.

I hope my decision to leave FR will not affect future cooperation on conservative issues (which we all agree on and is a common thread here), as I'm sure we will continue to cross paths at political events. Personally, I look forward to continuing to work with anyone who will further conservatism, especially FReepers and FReepettes!

Finally, for the past several years I've been the caretaker of the FreeRebublic Lexicon (after stumbling into the 'job'). It is available on my profile page at this time. Someone should take over updating it (which is overdue). I have a better formatted text/html copy of the lexicon (much easier to edit and update) but would have to email it to the volunteer.

If Jim and the moderators will allow it, I will check my FReepmail over the next few days and email the formatted lexicon file to anyone requesting a copy (please provide your email address in the message).

Goodbye and good luck,

Batter

We already beat you to it. Bennett is a lame duck (he lost in convention - didn't even make it to a primary).

IOW delegates said "don't let the door hit you on the way out".

I think Bennett is a lost cause. He has been for quite a while (which is why I’m glad we tossed him out). I would focus my efforts on the “fence sitters” on the linked “updated call list”.

Thanks for posting the link. I read that one off Drudge and it is quite persuasive.

It could very well be a jet making the contrail. Unfortunately, the site doesn't make a distinction between a jet and a missile contrail, it merely shows that both can look similar under the right conditions.

HotAir linked to this: L.A.’s Mystery ‘Missile’ Is Probably a Jet which includes the following:

Pike tells Danger Room. “The object generating the contrail is moving too slowly to be a rocket; the contrail is not expanding as the ‘rocket’ gains ‘altitude’ — which would be the case as the exhaust plume expanding into less dense high altitude air.”

At least he shows how the missile vs jet contrails differ and makes me lean towards a jet being the source. Here's the thing that bugs me, however:

If it was a jet, I assume it was a fairly good sized or powerful jet. Also, if it was flying towards the observer, it would've been heading toward the US shore (and near or over LA). Air traffic control (ATC) should have picked it up. Wouldn't military ATC or the FAA have a record of a jet being in that vicinity at that time? If so, why not put an end to this?

I thought Rahm Emanuel said that but, no. Obama said it:

“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” Obama said in Philadelphia last night. “Because from what I understand, folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.”

A few weeks ago, I read a report that the Norks had moved a bunch of armed forces into Pyonyang. I wondered what they were up to but figured it had something to do with a possible shift of power.

Guess I was partially right. However, things will get interesting if/when he turns all power over to 'un'. It sounds like the youngest isn't highly thought of and open to a coup...Then again, Kim Jong-il seems to have kept on top of the military despite being a total nutter.

The report on WAFB currently states all are accounted for and only one injury.

It also states that the rig "was not actively producing product" at the time. They're assessing if there is/will be any environmental impact.

Thanks. I linked to your original FR post in an earlier comment on this thread (I also saw your post a few days ago).

One question I have: Is the 'voter' and illegal immigrant or an illegal voter who is a legal immigrant?

There seems to be a conflict between the FoxNews report and the local news report.

Hmmm, reading through the FoxNews story, it sounds like he’s here legally but the video indicates otherwise. Wonder which one is correct. Regardless, IMO, s/he blew their chances by knowingly committing voter fraud.

From the previous report (see the video link), the guy was an illegal immigrant. You are correct that legal immigrants get SSNs, but my understanding is the one in question is illegal.

Sure, but abiding by our laws is politically incorrect at the moment...

PS: I believe Steidl is the one blowing the whistle on this.

Also, the only way this guy got a social security number, is by stealing it.

Apparently, DHS thinks this 'immigrant' more deserving than the decent law-abiding legal immigrants. Grrrr.

Good to know who DHS is working for.

See also this video related to this story: DHS Helping Illegal Alien Felon Who Voted Become a Citizen (also posted on FR)

It's a pseudo driver's license here in the State. As of this year, only illegal immigrants can get them. Only US citizens and legal immigrants can get DLs in the State of Utah.

While that may annoy some (ie that illegals get an issued driver's privilege card), it now has a big benefit. Anyone with that card (beginning in 2010) avows that they are in the country illegally. IF Utah passes an AZ like law, the opposition can't cry their faux racial profiling mantra as the card will provide enough proof of illegal status.

Two Republicans voted for it: Cao and Castle

Can anyone find the roll call? Any republicans vote for this?

*Flush*

What's a another few billion down the toilet? </sarcasm>

Sigh... no = know

Er... how sure are we on this, actually. The linked blog post is a bit old and I’m not sure we’re really going to no anything until tomorrow (or today, depending on your time zone).

Not surprising. On HotAir, I think some commenter called it (see the comment: here).

Yon has also been on McChrystal's case for a while. I think Yon overstressed some of the gripes and let his personal feelings get in the way, but McChrystal also appears to have messed up on more than just the article. Apparently, front line troops have had problems with the command and ops.