Free Republic

The nation of the Franks are well known today as the progenitors of modern France, as well as the barbarian nation that most readily and ardently embraced Catholicism. As Saint Avitus of Vienne shows in his letter to King Clovis upon the latter’s baptism in AD 496, the subject Christian Romans placed great hopes in the conversion of the Frankish king and his court, and the event was an occasion of great joy. This was particularly true given Clovis’s previous history as a ruthless conqueror who defeated and dissolved the last remnant of Western Roman power in Gaul, the so-called...

A recall of Boar's Head deli meat products has been widely expanded over concerns that they may be linked to a fatal listeria outbreak in the U.S., federal officials said Tuesday. Another 3,500 tons of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products sold under the Boar's Head and Old Country brands have been added to the initial recall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. This is in addition to approximately 103 tons of Boar's Head products that were recalled last week. The recall now includes a total of 71 products that were produced between May 10 and July 29, the USDA said....

In a discovery that has left historians and archaeologists astonished, a completely untouched grave from the Merovingian period was uncovered in Germany. Hidden among other graves that were plundered over a millennium ago, this singular grave had rested undisturbed for over 1,300 years.The discovery was made by the archaeologists from the Kaiserpfalz Research Center , who have been digging at this early medieval burial ground since 2015. Christoph Bassler, excavation manager described the discovery:"We first spotted the edge of a shield boss...It wasn't immediately clear which grave it belonged to. But, as we dug further, the realization dawned that we...

A defendant in the Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping case has moved to introduce evidence related to the use of federal informants in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill breach, arguing that the FBI’s refusal to answer basic questions about such activities demonstrates a “consciousness of guilt” by the government. The Jan. 14 motion from Kaleb Franks comes as he and four other defendants seek to have their charges dismissed on entrapment grounds. With their trial set for March 8, an attorney for Franks has made numerous motions related to the FBI’s use of at least 12 informants in the...

On an unknown date in the latter half of 782, Charlemagne did some seriously nasty business with a captured army of Saxons. In the late 8th century, the King of the Franks was fighting a decades-long running campaign against Saxon tribes at the edge of his sprawling European empire. One part Christianizing the pagans and two (or more) parts territorial aggrandizement, Charlemagne’s exertions on the Rhinish frontier were opposed by Widukind, or Witikind, or Widochind, whose “forest-child” name belies its owner’s legendary ferocity. In the summer of 782, when Charlemagne perhaps thought he had whatever passed for peace among the...

If you thought a mere global pandemic was going to stop one of the most important sporting events of the year, my friend, you were QUITE WRONG. The Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest (they should go for a longer name) will go down this Saturday, July the 4th, at noon on ESPN. Joey Chestnut, who is likely the only hot dog eating human being you know by name, will be there. Matt Stonie, the only man who has beaten him in the last 13 years, will not, since he didn't arrive in New York in time to quarantine...

White Simple SCARCELY HAD TWO CENTURIES elapsed since the triumph of the Cross over Roman idolatry, when Satan began to cry victory once more. While Eutychianism was crowned at Byzantium in the person of Anastasius the Silent, Arianism was rife in the West. Throughout the whole ancient territory of the empire, heresy was supreme, and almost everywhere was persecuting the Church, who had now none but the vanquished for her sons. “But fear not; rather rejoice,” says Baronius at this point in his Annals; “it is Divine Wisdom still delighting to play in the world. The thoughts of men...

Since 2007, Joey Chestnut has dominated the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, winning the event 10 times in the last 11 years. The 34-year-old professional competitive eater, nicknamed Jaws, will look to defend his title this Wednesday and win the $10,000 top prize in New York City. Chestnut is a -550 favorite on the hot dog eating contest odds with the field going off at +325 at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. In the days leading up to the event, Chestnut has shown plenty of confidence, claiming that he will be shooting for the world record in this event on...

White   AT THIS SEASON, in which the Office of the Time is leading us to consider the early developments of Holy Church, Eternal Wisdom so arranges, now as ever, that the Feasts of the Saints should complete the teachings of the movable Cycle. The Paraclete, who has but just down upon us, is to fill the whole earth; the Man-God has sent Him expressly to win over the whole earth and to secure all time, to His Church. Now, it is by subjecting kingdoms to the faith, that He is to form Christ’s Empire; it is by working...

Republicans in New Jersey face an unambiguous choice in next Tuesday's gubernatorial primary between a Republican moderate and a candidate with strident and untested views. Bob Franks is clearly the better qualified of the two. Mr. Franks has shown himself to be a pragmatist with the experience and temperament to carry the party's banner admirably in the November election. What was expected to be an easy victory for Mr. Franks has turned into a bitter, close race with name-calling that threatens to discourage voters from showing up. That would be a big mistake, especially for moderate Republicans. Mr. Franks, a...

The 8th Congressional District of Arizona is holding a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives on April 24, 2018. Primary elections will be held on February 27, 2018. Candidates have until January 10, 2018, to file nominating papers.[1] The election is being held to replace Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), who resigned on December 8, 2017, after acknowledging that he had discussed possible surrogacy arrangements with female staffers.[2 ] Democratic Party Democrats Brianna Westbrook[3] Republican Party Republicans Chad Allen[4] Travis Angry[4) Bill Harbeck[4] David Lien[5] Phil Lovas - Former State Representative[6] Steve Montenegro - State Senator[7] Christopher Rippey[4] Jon...

Rep. Trent Franks, an Arizona Republican who is among the most conservative members of the House, said he would resign his seat after House officials learned that he had asked two female employees to bear his children as surrogates. Franks’s announcement came as the House Ethics Committee said it would create a special subcommittee to investigate Franks for conduct “that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment.” His resignation, which Franks said is effective Jan. 31, will end the ethics investigation........

Rep Trent Franks, according to reporting on the Tucker Carlson show, is being pushed out, not for sexual harassment, but for bringing up surrogacy for him and his wife due to being unable to have children. Apparently he brought this subject up with a couple of women in his office but at no time suggested or asked either be a surrogate. If they took any offense or felt uncomfortable; that's on the women for being far too easily offended. I'm so mad about this I could chew nails. Ryan should be escorted out of DC by armed Secret Service agents...

A senior Arizona congressman is calling on Robert Mueller, special counsel for the Justice Department’s investigation into Russia’s election meddling, to resign. Rep. Trent Franks, a Republican who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement Tuesday that Mueller is in violation of the law that prohibits Mueller from serving as a special counsel if he has a conflict of interest.

Shortly before a recent Massachusetts state committee hearing to discuss a proposed “Anti-Discrimination Bill,” the Boston Globe ran an opinion piece criticizing the bill. The Op-Ed, by Columbia University professor Katherine Franke, argued that measures to discourage anti-Israel boycotts “betray” the legacy of civil rights icon Rosa Parks. In fact, Parks was an outspoken and very public opponent of discriminatory anti-Israel boycotts. […] … Along with Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin and other civil rights luminaries, Parks was a co-signer of a 1975 letter that described as “repugnant” the Arab world’s boycott targeting Israel, a precursor to today’s BDS movement....

The handwritten list was found in a van belonging to James Hodgkinson by the FBI, and the lawmakers named on the list are known to be conservative members associated with the Freedom Caucus: Reps. Scot DesJarlais (R-TN) (pronounced day-zharr-LAY), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Mo Brooks (R-AL) and Morgan Griffith (R-VA).

A Ferguson activist turned politician is suing police in the St. Louis area, saying he was beaten and pepper sprayed while handcuffed during a 2014 protest. Missouri state Rep.-elect Bruce Franks Jr. alleges that St. Louis County and Berkeley police kicked him in the face and beat his legs with a baton while he was handcuffed face-down on the ground during a December 2014 protest over the fatal police shooting of Antonio Martin. […] The lawsuit says Franks, who is black, was working with a small group of volunteers called the Peacekeepers who tried to de-escalate tensions between protesters and...

The legend of William Tell, the Swiss legendary hero who symbolizes the struggle for individual and political freedom, has its origins in medieval Switzerland, in the tax rebellions that launched the Everlasting League and the defeat of an empire. Settled first by the Tene, then the Celts and then the Romans, after the empire fell Switzerland fell under the sway of the Ostrogoths, the Franks and finally Charlemagne's empire and its heirs. In the 11th century, Switzerland was divided by the conflict between the Emperor and the Papacy. The dukes and counts, abbots and bishops benefited the most from this...

Sun City West was the hub of GOP politics Saturday when 28 candidates attended a forum sponsored by the Arrowhead Republican Women. The event at the Briarwood Country Club covered regional legislative races in Districts 21 and 22 on up to statewide races, including the contest for governor that attracted six candidates. (SNIP) Christine Jones said she decided to run because she was tired of politics as usual in Arizona. “When you love something, you want it to thrive, to prosper,” she said. “I’m running because I believe we can make Arizona the brightest star in the union.” District 26...

Today, Heritage Action announced it would key vote against Rep. Jeff Denham’s (R-CA) ENLIST Act (H.R. 2377) if it or any similar legislation is brought to the House floor. In a post yesterday, Heritage Action’s south central regional coordinator Wade Miller, himself a combat veteran, explained using military service as a mechanism for backdoor amnesty is wrong: Allowing DREAMers—unlawful immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors—to acquire lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in exchange for military service turns military service into a penance.