Free Republic

Political leaders, corporate executives, and everyday citizens need to call these activist causes what they are: distractions unworthy of our attention.Our flags seem perpetually at half-staff. They came halfway down in honor of the Atlanta shooting victims, and for when we crossed the somber total of an estimated 500,000 Americans who died with coronavirus. They were lowered in honor of U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans, in honor of the Boulder, Colorado shooting victims, and in honor of the Indianapolis shooting victims. They fell for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Chadwick Boseman.Perhaps some of these memorial actions are warranted...

The new talking point coming from George Floyd protestors is that they want to see cities "defund the police." In fact, Denver Public Schools is set to vote on removing all Denver Police Department officers from its campuses, a move officials say will end the "school to prison pipeline." Conservatives have questioned the movement. After all, "defund the police" implies abolishing law enforcement agencies all together. John Legend took to Twitter to say that the call is to pull some funding from police departments and reallocate the funds to other necessary resources, like "social work, health care, conflict resolution, [and]...

<p>The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump features a long list of official and semi-official events and celebrations.</p> <p>There will be plenty of protests and counter-rallies as well, with a list of some available here.</p> <p>Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence will lay a wreath at the cemetery in honor of the nation's veterans. Details have not been publicly announced.</p>

Pop music is on 'a slow but unmistakable descent into pornography', according to hit songwriter Mike Stock. Stock, who was responsible for dozens of hits as part of Stock, Aitken and Waterman and helped launch Kylie Minogue's pop career, put some of the blame on the rise of stars including Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. He said they were among a wave of performers who 'have taken sexualised imagery, dance moves and lyrical content way beyond the limits of decency'.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2006 – Entertainers in Branson, Mo., are taking a stand to support servicemembers fighting in the global war on terrorism. S.T.A.N.D. for the Troops band members Matt Muhoberac (left) and organization co-founder Brian Zerbe, perform during a news conference Sept. 20. The nonprofit group is made up of Branson, Mo., entertainers who are working to rally Americans to support the troops. Courtesy photo  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “It just seems like there wasn’t enough coverage on the men and women who are fighting the war,” Nita Tate, who watches television news every night, said....

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2005 – Servicemembers, veterans and supporters of the people past and present who have worn the nation's uniform packed the historic Roseland Ballroom here Nov. 11 for a night of music and a celebration of freedom. The American Freedom Foundation's 2nd annual American Freedom Festival brought together a variety of entertainers who donated their talents to raise money and awareness for veterans organizations. The foundation places special emphasis on the welfare and education issues facing those wounded in action, amputees, and the families and children of servicemembers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Retired Sgt. Maj. Of...

And furthermore, shut up, all of you who are telling musicians, actors, filmmakers, authors and such to shut up. "I paid to hear Don Henley sing, not to listen to his political views," whines the ticket holder."Who the hell does Sean Penn think he is, going to Iraq?" fumes the talk-radio guy."Bruce Springsteen thinks making millions with a song-and-dance routine allows him to tell you how to vote," grouses conservative New York senate candidate Marilyn O'Grady, announcing her "Boycott the Boss" campaign.Even quasi-liberal Irvine Mayor Larry Agran sympathized with the people who booed Henley at the Pacific Amphitheatre recently after...

SIERRA VISTA - It was a fast-paced 90 minutes of singing and dancing but for many in the audience this year's Soldier Show came to an end too soon. There were about 600 who watched Thursday's 5 p.m. performance - it was followed by a second one at 8 p.m. - at the Buena Performing Arts Center. Wednesday night, about 1,100 saw the show. For Donna Deal, a retired Army master sergeant, the show was something she sees every year since she retired and moved to Sierra Vista. During the performance, she tapped her feet and moved her head in...

The real deal Linda Ronstadt's current tour – 'a history lesson of music' – reflects her dedication to authenticity, and quality By George Varga July 15, 2004 Other singers may have a greater passion for music than Linda Ronstadt. But few have a greater passion for more types of music, or the willingness to perform them, even at the risk of falling on her face. "My career has befuddled other people, and it's befuddled me," admitted Ronstadt, 58, who finds her fans are polarized by her nightly on-stage salute to "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker Michael Moore. "I've been dedicating a song...

It was a lazy afternoon at Russell Simmons' spread outside downtown East Hampton. The hip-hop and fashion mogul, his younger brother Joe (aka Rev. Run, who's filming a pilot of his own reality show for the ABC Family Channel), movie director Brett Ratner and his girlfriend, Serena Williams (recovering from her defeat in the Wimbledon final), were getting a little antsy on a rainy Monday, wondering what to do with themselves. Then Kid Rock arrived. So they all decided to drive into town and take in a movie. They jumped into various vehicles and headed for the United Artists East...

LINARES, Spain - Fifteen years after his death, master classical guitarist Andres Segovia finally was brought back to his hometown as he wished. Segovia's remains were exhumed from the Madrid cemetery where he originally was buried and brought to Linares in Jaen province, the heart of Spain's olive-growing region. Segovia, widely considered the greatest classical guitarist of the 20th century, died in 1987 at the age of 94. He is credited with elevating the guitar from a lowly bar instrument to one played on classical concert stages around the world, garnering as much respect as the violin or piano. Segovia...