Free Republic

At the beginning of the 3rd century civil war raged in Britain as the Roman emperor Septimius Severus sought to quell unrest in the north. But unknown to the fighting cohorts and Caledonian tribes, high above their heads two stars were coming together in a huge cataclysmic explosion. Now 1800 years later the light from that collision will finally arrive on Earth creating a new star in the night sky - dubbed the ‘Boom Star - in an incredibly rare event which is usually only spotted through telescopes. Before their meeting the two stars were too dim to be seen...

For almost three decades Calvin College professor Pete Tigchelaar (left) has had a three-month-old fetus, encased in plastic, that he uses in his human biology classes.He's always thought of the tiny fetus as a good educational tool. But he's not thought of it as a lifesaver.Last year, however, that changed when a student in one of his biology classes privately inquired if he still had it.Intrigued Tigchelaar said that he did and invited the young woman to his office for further conversation. There he asked why she was interested. She proceeded to tell him an amazing story, one that...

WASHINGTON It's that time of year again when President George W. Bush turns up around the United States in sumptuous commencement robes, assures thousands of college graduates that a C average does not preclude the presidency and urges them to go forth and do good. Calvin College, a small evangelical school in the strategic Republican stronghold of Grand Rapids, Michigan, seemed a perfect stop this past Saturday for the president's message. Or so thought Karl Rove, the White House political chief, who two months ago effectively bumped Calvin's scheduled commencement speaker when he asked that Bush be invited instead.

Bush gets mixed reception at Christian college By Caren Bohan Sat May 21, 5:00 PM ET GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Reuters) - President Bush on Saturday championed faith in American society, but ran into some criticism as courted his Christian base in a commencement speech at a Michigan college. "We need to support and encourage the institutions and pursuits that bring us together. And we learn how to come together by participating in our churches and temples and mosques and synagogues," Bush told graduating seniors at Calvin College, a Christian liberal-arts college. The college describes itself as a "center of faith-anchored...

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: While his wife was traveling in the Middle East, President Bush addressed the 2005 commencement at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., today. Bush gave his first graduation speech of the year addressing the Christian liberal arts college. PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE: White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan gave the commencement speech at the University of Texas, his alma mater, on Friday. So no week-ahead schedule was announced. (If I find anything while scanning the WH website tomorrow, I'll post it on the Sunday thread.) The President will welcome German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to the White House...

W was in da House today. A Beautiful day here in Michigan and so I decided to Run With The Flag, 2 - 3 miles to Calvin along the East Belt Line from Celebration Cinema. There must have been a hundred cars flashing there lights , honking horns, thumbs up, hand salutes, yelling encouragement all during the run. On arriving to Stand in the Front Lines with the rest of the Presidents Supporters I went right through the Libs little outcropping, telling them not to be afraid, that they are Americans too and I served to protect their right to...

A Christmas Story PHIL DE HAAN For almost three decades Calvin College professor Pete Tigchelaar has had a three-month-old fetus, encased in plastic, that he uses in his human biology classes. He's always thought of the tiny fetus as a good educational tool. But he's not thought of it as a lifesaver. Last year, however, that changed when a student in one of his biology classes privately inquired if he still had it. Intrigued Tigchelaar said that he did and invited the young woman to his office for further conversation. There he asked why she was interested. She proceeded to...