Free Republic

The successful business leaders that sit on the Chicago Board of Education must have checked their brains at the door when they went into the negotiating room with the teachers union. How else could they possibly negotiate a contract that the school district can’t possibly afford? Truth be told, if board member Penny Pritzker’s Hyatt Hotels operated that way, they’d be out of business. But, alas, this is government. They strike deals with unions and figure out how taxpayers will fund it later. Reuters tells us: “Chicago public school teachers returned to their classrooms on Wednesday but thorny questions remained...

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's announcement that "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values" and opposition to the fast food franchise's expansion there because of CEO Dan Cathy's anti-gay politics really ruffled some feathers. Lauren Silich, the owner of Chicago's sole Chick-fil-A, is asking Emanuel to have a sit down to iron things out. The Chicago Tribune reports: [Silich] invited Emanuel to meet her, her husband and management staff at her restaurant. The mayor's office had no immediate response. In an interview today, Silich addressed Emanuel's comments. "I get it," Silich said in an interview. "I’m from here as well." "I just...

Young girls are fast becoming internet sensations not because of their vocal skills or dance moves, but because they resemble living dolls. Staring doe-eyed at the camera, with cupids bow lips and a porcelain complexion Dakota Rose has been hailed a real-life Barbie. Known to her fans as Kota Koti, she has amassed a global audience with her YouTube fashion and beauty tutorials. In most of the videos she remains silent while subtitles provide the viewer with a step-by-step guide on how to apply cosmetics, style hair or dress fashionably.

Zoo animals and art exhibits are “interesting.” Chronic unemployment is not—unless you’re President Obama. In a Google+ video conference Tuesday, President Obama told a Texas woman that it was “interesting” that her husband couldn’t find a job. The woman, Jennifer Weddel of Fort Worth, wanted to know why it was so difficult for her husband, an engineer, to find a job. President Obama proceeded to lecture her that it should actually be quite easy for her husband. “As a basic matter,” he said, “there’s a huge demand for engineers.” When Jennifer said that just wasn’t true, he responded with the...

All over america, bums illegal aliens Islamic Jihadists moochers pedophiles drunks addicts anarchists and other low life bottom feeders who make up the scum of society have been rallying and demanding the end of capitlism and freedom and in place a socialist dictatorship. Their unacceptable demands include a 20$ minimum wage, the collapse of our system, environmental laws, open borders, government restrictions on constitutionally guaranteed free speech/press and gun ownership and solidarity with Islam. With few exception the police have been quiet and done nothing when these gatherings spread into private property and/or become violent. Nudity, drug activity and public...

Here's my idea of welfare reform: comments? (document presented in language of applicant)Public Assistance Implementation and Usage Contract. This contract, entered into on (date) and expiring on (18 months from implementation date) by the (state agency) and applicant(s) listed herein (must submit names of applicant and children born to her via birth records),allows for the provision of food,housing allowance,child care and education for the purposes of job placement during the contract period,and is understood by all parties concerned that the provision of aforementioned assistance is on a one-time basis,not to be repeated or reinstated at any time for any reason...

With 8.8 percent unemployment across the country and more than 8 million people claiming unemployment benefits, one California congresswoman wants people to know they’re not the only ones facing financial hardship. Who else might be? The lawmaker herself. In an appearance on MSNBC Thursday, Democratic California Rep. Linda Sánchez talked about the downsides of a federal government shutdown. Some lawmakers, to the seriousness of the issue, have said they would forgo their paychecks in the event of that shutdown. Sanchez explained she just can’t afford to go along with that idea. “I have to tell you that I live paycheck-to-paycheck,...

With 8.8 percent unemployment across the country and more than 8 million people claiming unemployment benefits, one California congresswoman wants people to know they’re not the only ones facing financial hardship. Who else might be? The lawmaker herself. In an appearance on MSNBC Thursday, Democratic California Rep. Linda Sánchez talked about the downsides of a federal government shutdown. Some lawmakers, to the seriousness of the issue, have said they would forgo their paychecks in the event of that shutdown. Sanchez explained she just can’t afford to go along with that idea. “I have to tell you that I live paycheck-to-paycheck,...

Freudenschade, baby!Remember how a couple of weeks ago the DUmmies were proclaiming victory for the public employee unions in Wisconsin? Well, once again, their victory celebrations were premature since tonight the Wisconsin senate voted to ELIMINATE collective bargaining for public employee unions. As can be expected, the DUmmies have gone absolutely BERSERK over this as you can see in this THREAD, "The Wisconsin FULL SENATE passes anti-union bill 18-1 vote." So let us now watch the DUmmies eat crow once again in Bolshevik Red while the commentary of your humble correspondent, looking forward to much Drama Queen activity over...

Neither rookies nor seasoned veterans were spared in Tuesday's House Democratic bloodbath, which saw Republicans defeat three major committee chairmen and at least seven lawmakers who claimed 20 years' seniority or more in Congress. While the losses of 16 freshmen "Obama babies" — those elected during the president's 2008 sweep — were expected, the number of long-serving Democrats who lost re-election this week is staggering, and suggests a widespread dissatisfaction with Washington. All told, with about a dozen races still uncalled, Democrats have already shed 376 years of congressional experience, and that could go as high as 430 years if...

About 1.6million people in Britain have never worked, Iain Duncan Smith revealed yesterday. Hundreds of thousands of teenagers and adults have become used to languishing on benefit because work simply does not pay, the Work and Pensions Secretary said. He unveiled figures showing that 1.6million people aged at least 16 have never had jobs. The figure, for the third quarter of this year, excludes those aged between 16 and 24 in full-time education. Half are aged between 25 and 64 – meaning many have been unemployed or on incapacity benefits for decades... Too many people have fallen into long-term benefits...

LONDON – Angry protesters in London have attacked a car containing Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. An Associated Press photographer saw demonstrators kick the car in Regent Street, in the heart of London's shopping district. The car then drove off. -snip- Protesters angry at a huge tuition fee hike are fighting with police and smashing windows in London. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information.

The vote will mean fees being almost tripled, as the government saw its majority cut by three-quarters in a backbench rebellion. Heather Sharp, BBC News, central London Scuffles broke out in front of Westminster Abbey. A flare was thrown, and placards and sticks flew above the crowds. The demonstrators pushed at the police line to shouts of "no ifs, no buts, no education cuts". One of the protesters struggled back through crowd with blood running down his face as another held a burning placard aloft. As the sun went down and the vote neared, groups of students in the rest...

LONDON – In Britain's worst political violence in years, furious student protesters rained sticks and rocks on riot police, vandalized government buildings and attacked a car carrying Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, after lawmakers approved a controversial hike in university tuition fees.

NEW YORK — Another 17 of America's richest people, including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, junk bond pioneer Michael Milken and AOL co-founder Steve Case, have promised to give away most of their wealth. At 26, Zuckerberg has put himself on the map not only as one of the world's youngest billionaires, but also as a prominent newcomer to the world of philanthropy. Earlier this year, he pledged $100 million over five years to the Newark, N.J. school system. Now, he's in the company of media titans Carl Icahn, 74, Barry Diller, 68, and others who have joined Giving Pledge, an...

The Duchess of Cornwall was physically attacked through an open car window as thugs rampaged through London, the Standard can reveal today. A rioter managed to push a stick through an open window of the limousine and jab her in the ribs. Camilla's terrifying ordeal came as a baying mob surrounded her and husband Prince Charles when they rode through central London in the vintage Rolls-Royce last night. A police source said one of the car's rear windows was opened by mistake as tuition fee protesters moved in. The attack is the biggest royal security breach in decades and raises...

<p>YOUR **** RELIGION IS B****T AND YOUR GOD IS *%*&*% MAKE BELIEVE! I have exactly ZERO FEAR of what exists only in your rasist narrow simpleton mind. Your god is NOT AN OBJECTIVE REALITY and yet you keep pushing him on us. You are nothing but a bunch of stupid retarded bigots and hypicrites, PLEASE **$# OFF AND DIE. I am sick you your STUPID JEEEEEEESUS *%*&%* hijacking the legacy of the founding fathers to promote your controlling agenda. $&*^* YOUR STUPID &$&$* OF A GOD [long screed of swearing and curing and liberal slogans] ON YOUR IDIOT BI-BULL, IT BELONGETH IN DA TOILET! Are you so STUPID that you think quoting from theidiot BI-BULL will do anythimng besides make me LAUGH HYSTERICoLLY. The bi-BULL is a [more screaming and gibberish] that is good for nothing except wiping %&*^#. It is fiulled with STUPID, RIDICULOS errors and silly moronic fairy tales. It is the product of hateful rasist people. Its god is exclusive, racist, genocidal cunt of a monster whop loves only those who willingly ignore rational thought and become his sheeple. HE DOESN'T EXIST!</p>

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 16) -- Betty Sugiyama was rushing to catch a train for a shopping trip when authorities say the unthinkable happened: A homeless woman leapt from a bench and shoved her onto the tracks. Witnesses said the woman then calmly returned to her seat as Sugiyama writhed in pain on the tracks with a cracked skull. The 84-year-old Little Tokyo resident died soon after, and the suspect was arrested on murder charges. A sister of Sugiyama who witnessed the attack remained stunned Tuesday that anyone would want to kill her friendly younger sibling, a Japanese-American who had grown...

New strikes are set to take place in Greece starting May 10 following the rescue package and new austerity measures approved by the Greek parliament over the weekend. The pending 48-hour strike will affect all pharmacies in the country, which will remain closed. Furthermore, Greek media outlets will also be on strike from 11am until 3pm. This will include all private and state-run publications and television channels. Concurrently, a sit-in demonstration was staged by many people in protest against the austerity measures and against the murder of three bank employees on May 5 2010. EU finance ministers have agreed to...

Pitbull Attacks Have Residents On Edge Near Valley Center Reported by: Eric Collins Email: eric.collins@sandiego6.com Last Update: 12:02 am A series of pitbull attacks have residents on edge in the Paradise Mountain community, east of Valley Center. Over the past two months the pitbulls have killed two other dogs and injured two horses. Some homeowners are so concerned they're now carrying guns to protect themselves. Jan Hansen is one of the worried homeowners. He says the pitbulls mauled Spike, his miniature horse. "There was one black pitbull on his face, just hanging on his face. The dogs just came in...