Free Republic

The Battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War, and it drew a group of spectators to watch the action on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia. Onlookers gathered with something of a sporting atmosphere, as many Northerners expected the war to end in a swift Union victory. Describing the scene for The Times of London, Irish war reporter William Howard Russell wrote, “A lady with opera glasses shouted loudly at each discharge of cannon: ‘That is splendid. Oh my! Is not that first rate?’” Union Captain John Tidball later wrote that people came...

Okay, we are coming up to July 4, a big day for picnics, especially on the BBQ. So what food are you preparing for July 4?I'll start off by stating that I am preparing a big TRIFECTA of food. Smoked turkey, chili cheese fries, and, most importantly, PICANHA steak.The smoked turkey is now being dry brined with kosher salt, brown sugar, pepper, and thyme. Tomorrow I will smoke it on my Weber for a total of about 2 1/2 hours. So why smoke it the day BEFORE July 4? Well, because I need the Weber for something else that day...

While echoing the policies and positions of former President Donald Trump, Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis took some veiled shots the runaway GOP primary polling leader – blasting Republicans as having been losers. "We must reject the culture of losing that has infected our party in recent years. The time for excuses is over. We've got to demonstrate the courage to lead and the strength to win." "If we make the 2024 election a referendum on Joe Biden and his failures, and if we provide a positive alternative for the future of this country, Republicans will win across the board,"...

Ron DeSantis is set to unveil the endorsements of more than three-dozen Iowa state legislators ahead of his trip to the state on Saturday — giving him a boost in a state that traditionally hosts the Republican Party’s first presidential nominating contest. DeSantis has spent the last few weeks reaching out to Iowa Republicans, according to a person familiar with the calls. The governor did not explicitly ask for their support during those conversations, which were instead focused on legislative matters taking place in Florida and Iowa. The endorsements, however, provide a political jolt for DeSantis as he readies for...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Will he or won’t he run? That continues to be the question as Florida’s governor departs for another out-of-state trip this weekend. Ron DeSantis is hitting Illinois Friday evening, then the key caucus state of Iowa on Saturday, only furthering speculation that a White House bid is right around the corner. Wthout saying so, DeSantis is giving every indication that he’s getting ready for a bid. He hasn’t given a firm "no" when asked, and has a new book laying out his political platform. Post-legislative session, Florida governor is in the air again, this time to Iowa,...

HULL, I.A. (Dakota News Now) - Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) announced Wednesday that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be the guest of honor at Feenstra’s third annual picnic in May. The event is set for Saturday, May 13, in Sioux Center, Iowa. ”I’m excited to announce that Governor Ron DeSantis will headline my Feenstra Family Picnic this year in Sioux Center,” said Rep. Feenstra. “While liberal states shut down their economies, forced businesses to close, and kept our kids out of the classroom, Governor DeSantis championed freedom and common sense. Florida — like Iowa — are clear examples of what...

A liberal arts college in Massachusetts has warned its students and faculty against using 'violent language' - even banning the phrase 'trigger warning' for its association with guns. Brandeis University in Waltham has created an anti-violence resource called the Prevention, Advocacy & Resource Center which provides information and advice to students and staff. It lists words and idioms, including 'picnic' and 'rule of thumb,' which it claims are 'violent' and suggests dreary alternatives such as 'outdoor eating' for the former and 'general rule' for the latter. The college claims that 'picnic is often associated with lynchings of black people in...

Three people were shot at a back-to-school peace picnic held at a playground in Chicago on Saturday night. A fourth person was beaten up at the event that was held to promote peace and community. The picnic, which took place at Seward Park on the city’s North Side, was off to a safe start, but onlookers say the mood quickly turned when a group of young men showed up and started fighting. “It’s senseless and should have never happened,” event organizer Raymond Hatcher told reporters. “We were doing well. Everything was going swell and then a group of guys who...

Now, however, another piece of the humanist in President Trump is showing through, as a debate over Congress’ ineffectual work on immigration rages. You see, today was supposed to be the annual congressional “picnic”, which is literally just a 5-star meal served in a tent to these Washington fat cats. That’s right: cancelled. When asked why, the President gave a very blue collar answer. As the immigration debacle looms large over the halls of Congress, President Donald Trump decided to scrap the lawmakers’ annual congressional picnic at the White House because it just didn’t feel “right.” “I was just walking...

Lawmakers are taking a rare break from bitter partisan politics and heading to the White House Thursday evening for a good old-fashioned picnic. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are hosting the Congressional Picnic, a bipartisan, annual event on the White House South Lawn aimed at bringing members of Congress, their families, and members of the administration together for a casual, lighthearted evening. "My husband and I are pleased to welcome Members of Congress and their families to the people's house," the first lady said in a statement Thursday. "With the recent and tragic shooting at the congressional...

The picnic was supposed to celebrate the capabilities of women in a safe, women-only environment, but things didn’t quite go as planned. With the sun hanging high in the sky it seemed to be perfect weather for a picnic. But the seven proud feminist friends were in for a big surprise when none of them brought any food at all.

Event organizers of the 134th Fancy Farm Picnic are firming up the last of their speaking roster for this year’s event as the main attraction of Grimes versus McConnell has staff updating the venue, and guests are being warned to be respectful as a national TV audience descends upon the village of Fancy Farm. Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s staff confirmed that the senior Senator for the state will be at the event. McConnell’s Democratic challenger Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes will share the stage with McConnell in a repeat of last year’s showdown. Kentucky’s junior U.S. Senator Republican...

A Syrian woman lured her Saudi husband for an alleged picnic in a desert area where he was murdered by her lover by her husband’s gun. The unnamed woman had told police in the capital Riyadh that three masked men attacked her husband and robbed him before shooting him dead in the desert. But forensic experts checking the murder weapon found that it belongs to the woman’s husband, according to Sada Arabic language daily. “After she was interrogated, the wife confessed that she had lured her husband so her lover will kill him. “The killer later handed himself over to...

He wooed Senate Republicans on a budget deal, tried to sweet-talk lawmakers from both parties to back him on a military strike against Syria, and is now hoping to reach an agreement that would keep the government from shutting down or defaulting on its debt. But when it comes to Congressional outreach, President Obama will only go so far. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill received a blast e-mail on Wednesday evening that was curt and blunt: Good evening, The 2013 Congressional Picnic has been cancelled. The president and Mrs. Obama look forward to welcoming members of Congress

Annual Freeper Picnic in southern Utah Photograph by David Michaels NBC Sports, and producer of the Olympics.

Cliff Robertson, who starred as John F. Kennedy in a 1963 World War II drama and later won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a mentally disabled bakery janitor in the movie "Charly," died Saturday, one day after his 88th birthday.

A special gathering of like minded conservative individuals will have a picnic on July 23 at the Dixon Property. A few famous souls might be brave enough to gather around a campfire and spin a few tales. With camera in hand we hope the famous photographer Elsie of Indiana will be able to leave his goat herd long enough to join in the festivities. On July 24 we will celebrate the morning in silence as we enjoy a rendering or two of In the Garden to honor one of our famous guests. The famous western entertainer Robin Arnold will join...

Members of Congress attend a picnic hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington June 15, 2011 House Speaker John Boehner smokes at a picnic for Members of Congress, hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington June 15, 2011.

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama and the first lady are having members of Congress over to the White House this evening for a picnic. It will be held on the South Lawn. Vice President Joe Biden will also be there. Earlier in the day, the president will get his daily briefing. In the afternoon he and the vice president will meet in the Oval Office with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is resigning the end of this month.

One group was gathered around a birthday cake on a picnic table. Though separated by 50 to 75 feet at Lake Sammamish State Park, several members of one group walked over and taunted members of the second group. The reason is unclear, though Urquhart said members of each group had gang affiliations. And many had firearms. A fistfight erupted around 9 p.m., and someone from one group apparently fired a gun into the air as a warning. After that, "it sounds to me like everybody pulled out guns," Urquhart said. ...up to 20 shots filled the air. When the gunfire...