Free Republic

It can't happen here? It is happening here! By Patricia McCarthy Sinclair Lewis's novel of 1935, It Can't Happen Here, was published amid the rise of fascism in Europe. The book is about the political career of fictional Buzz Windrip, who is elected president in 1936, defeating FDR with a campaign promising a return to traditional values and drastic social and economic reforms (he promises every American $5K). Once elected, he becomes a totalitarian tyrant, complete with his own paramilitary force called the Minute Men! Windrip is Lewis's version of an American Hitler and/or Mussolini. But consider the parallels with...

NEW YORK, APRIL 11, 2006 (Zenit.org).- A recent "statement of principles" by 55 Catholic Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives has rekindled the debate over the responsibilities of Catholic politicians. The signatories of the letter stated that "we seek the Church's guidance and assistance but believe also in the primacy of conscience." But, according to Jesuit Father Joseph Koterski, professor of philosophy at Fordham University, the Catholic understanding of conscience requires a distinction. The crucial factor is not fidelity to one's chosen moral principles, but rather fidelity to moral principles given to us by God. Father Koterski explained to...

Signatory of Israel pilots' letter says regrets signing petition By Amos Harel and Gideon Alon, Haaretz Correspondents, and Haaretz Service Colonel Ran, one of the 27 signatories of the pilots' letter of refusal, in which they stated that they would not participate in operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said Sunday he regretted signing the letter, and was changing his mind. The move came after a slew of criticism of the pilots' move from government figures and from fellow Israel Air Force airmen. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, speaking in a holiday interview to Israel Radio on Friday condemned...

Earlier today the Country Nation news site posted this news article about the Chicks and Sony Chicken Little -- Sony Records is allegedly telling some Little Rock Disc-Jockeys to put a sock in it -- or in this case, a shirt. The trouble started when the Dixie Chicks' label got wind of a Little Rock, Arkansas radio station making light of lead singer Natalie Maines, on some shirts the station handed Wednesday. The letters "F.U.N.M." printed on the shirts stands for "Friends United for Natalie Maines," Country 102.9 program director Bud Ford, told KARK.com. Then again, "The first two letters...might...