Free Republic

It’s time to stop debating history and facts with people who only care about the exercise of raw political power.div class="article-content"> The news that the Biden administration planned to remove a statue of William Penn in a federal park in Philadelphia that commemorates the founding of Pennsylvania, and that the purpose of the removal was to “provide a more welcoming, accurate, and inclusive experience for visitors,” should at this point not come as a surprise.Once the removals and destruction of Confederate statues and memorials began a few years ago, it was inevitable that all historical figures from America’s past, even...

At Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery the living get as much attention as the dead. Groundskeepers maintain the 478-acre historic landmark as an arboretum and habitat for more than 200 breeding and migratory bird species. But many visiting wildlife lovers aren't interested in those native birds. They're at the entryway, their binoculars trained on the spire atop its Gothic Revival arches. They've come to see the parrots. The urban cemetery hosts dozens of long-tailed, dove-size parrots, lime green with gray accents on their foreheads and chests, called Monk Parakeets. (Parrots and parakeets are part of the same family.) These birds maintain barrel-size...

Hundreds of monk parakeets, escapees from the pet trade, have settled beneath the city’s elevated highway. The non-native birds have become an unlikely fixture in the urban landscape of the Windy City, where large numbers of the striking green-and-gray parakeets live year-round. Chicago is on a main flyway for migratory birds, but monk parakeets have put down deep roots here. The South American members of the parrot family were brought north in the 1950s and 1960s and sold as pets, But they have long had fans in high places here. Former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, who lived across the street...

...Quakers who stuck by the sect’s pacifist teachings had a tough go of the American Revolution, often lumped in as Tories by patriots and subject to spasms of popular abuse, official writs confiscating their property, and other indignities from those who considered them “the unfriendly Quakers … notoriously disaffected to the cause of American Liberty.”† That same prejudice occasionally exposed Quakers to the severest punishments for perceived crimes. Thus Morden, who presumably helped the British agent as a personal gesture of assistance, an everyday “crime” for which hanging was an extreme stricture: one hundred Continental dollars from Chamberlain’s press to...

Over 1,000 people have signed a petition to rename the City of Lynchburg named after founder John Lynch. Lynch was a Quaker described as progressive for his time in the 1780s, according to Chief Public History Officer Ted Delaney. "He believed in emancipating slaves," Delaney said. "He had slaves but he freed all of his. He supported recolonization, which is sending slaves back to Africa. He did not believe in perpetuating the institution of slavery in this country." Delaney explains that the term lynching is actually named after Lynch's brother, Charles Lynch. He would tie British soldiers to a tree...

In a letter dated July 2, 1756, Benjamin Franklin presented a proposal to George Whitefield, the most famous preacher of the Great Awakening, that they partner together to establish a Christian colony "in the Ohio," which was frontier at the time. In the letter, Franklin expressed confidence that God would give them success in such a project, "If we undertook it with a sincere regard to his honor." For the next 30 years, they carried on a lively and open correspondence. Whitefield often spoke about faith in Christ and admonished Franklin to make sure he was prepared for the next...

The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered it to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Quaker leader William Penn founding the Colony in 1701 and writing the Charter of Privileges. Quakers were the first and strongest voices to end slavery. In 1751, Pennsylvania's Assembly declared a "Year of Jubilee" and commissioned the bell to be put in the Philadelphia State House. Speaker Isaac Norris read the Leviticus chapter 25 verse 10: "And ye shall make hallow the fiftieth year, and PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND unto all the inhabitants thereof; it shall be a jubilee." "Jubilee" in the Israelite calendar was, after seven...

A "goon-squad" group named The Helpful Union Guys (THUG), members of Ironworkers Local 401 set fires, started riots, and took crowbars to the competition in an effort to protect union jobs. THUGs stalked women, took baseball bats to a Toys R Us site, and even torched a Quaker meetinghouse that dared to use non-union labor. Philly.Com reports 10 leaders of Ironworkers Local 401 charged in racketeering indictment. They called themselves "the Helpful Union Guys" - "THUGS" for short - and woe awaited any contractor who dared cross them by hiring non-organized workers. For, federal authorities alleged Tuesday, this "goon squad"...

PHILADELPHIA - February 18, 2014 (WPVI) -- Federal authorities have arrested ten members of the Ironworkers Union for what is being called violent intimidation. The United States Attorney in Philadelphia released a sweeping indictment Tuesday of Ironworkers Local Union 401, which is based in Northeast Philadelphia. Ten members, including the union's top leadership, have been arrested. Only Action News was there Tuesday morning as FBI agents raided the union headquarters, carting off boxes of documents linked to the investigation.

In Easton, Md., an untold story of free African-Americans is being discovered through bits of glass, shards of pottery and oyster shells. Piece by piece, archaeologists and historians from two universities and the community are uncovering the history of The Hill, which they believe is the earliest settlement of free African-Americans in the United States, dating to 1790. Treme, in New Orleans, is recognized as the oldest free black community in the nation, dating to 1812. But researchers say that could change based on findings from the Easton dig. "It's not just a black story. It's an American story," said...

In the editorial below, Archbishop Dolan makes an excellent point.  The gov't respects the religious consciences of a number of Christian groups in the US by exempting them from otherwise obligatory laws.  Why is it so difficult for B.O. to respect our 2,000 year old tradition of calling abortion murder and refusing to pay for it?   ObamaCare and Religious Freedom How about some respect for Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease? By [Archbishop] TIMOTHY M. DOLAN Religious freedom is the lifeblood of the American people, the cornerstone of American government. When the Founding...

The old hippie lib “Quackers” did what was expected of them - They have been to another anarchist protest. They were pawns, sheeple, morons in a movement that they think they understand. The only way the real organizers behind the “occupiers” could get big enough crowds is to get every lib, leftists and anti-American group possible to show up. BUT, there is hope for our future if we can hold the line.This week our daughter and 3 of our grand kids were in Olney to help out. Our patriots extent across 7 decades - from our 9 year old granddaughter...

After several weeks of having other commitments, The American Legion presence was once again felt on the corner. Joining us were Glenn (USMC - Iwo Jima), Dave (Army - WWII) and friend Janet, and Halsey (USMC - Korea). Glenn has been on sick leave for about 4 weeks but made it back as soon as he felt better. 6 other Patriots in Olney this Saturday include Lurkers Bill & Jim, Fraxinus, GunsAreOK, [Mrs] Trooprally and myself Altogether there were 10 patriots supporting our troops. Pics by [Mrs] Trooprally BELOW: Glenn, Janet and Dave taking up position on our left flank....

Zealots made to call off 9/11 ‘celebration’ Nick Fielding and Abul Taher The Sunday Times - Britain September 12, 2004 ISLAMIC extremists were forced to call off a London conference commemorating the third anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America yesterday when the owners of the venue cancelled the booking after consulting police.

WEEK 202: NOV. 21,2009 The MAC is BACK, the iMacMan that is. iMacMan is someone I consider a “cold weather FReeper”. His retirement keeps him away from Olney during the warmer months. While iMacMan didn’t bring his cameras today, he takes some of the best pictures of our passing supporters that I know of. And then the edits he does are great. To those who know cameras, I do not, he sets his cameras on wide lens and then with one push of the button, gets 6 frames shot. BELOW: Several of iMacMan’s neat pictures. Did I forget to mention...

Nope, you did not miss Weeks 202 and 203. This Saturday’s Support the Troops Rally was so neat that I had to do it now. While our snowy Saturday morning is nothing compared to what the mid-west or northeast is getting, we were out there. Roll call of this week’s 7 patriots includes Legionnaires Halsey (Korea - USMC), Lurker Bill and Cindy_True_Supporter, Fraxinus, GunsAreOK, [Mrs] Trooprally and myself. Videos by [Mrs] T. Because of the weather conditions, and the construction removing the concrete walk where we put together our banners on wet days, we only put up the flags on...

St. Paul, Minn. — A group of Twin Cities Quakers has decided to stop signing marriage certificates for opposite-sex couples until the state legalizes gay marriage. "We're simply trying to be consistent with the will of God as we perceive it," said Paul Landskroener, clerk of the Twin Cities Friends Meeting, in an interview with MPR's All Things Considered on Monday. The congregation will continue to hold both opposite-sex and same-sex weddings at its meeting house, but will no longer sign the legal marriage certificate for opposite-sex couples. Instead, couples will need to have the certificate signed by a justice...

Fall painting, raking leaves, winterizing the summer’s motorized yard equipment, cutting and splitting firewood - then there’s every day work if one has it, to pay the bills. And before I know it, the Olney AARs are 3 weeks behind. So here’s the oldest two weeks. I have something special for Weeks 202 and 203 so they will be separate AARs. Pictures for both weeks are by [Mrs] T. WEEK 200, Nov. 07,2009 Roll call of this week’s 11 patriots includes Legionnaires Glenn (WWII - Marines), Halsey (Korea - USMC), Dennis (Korea - Army), Carl (Vietnam - Army), Lurkers Bill...

Sidebar Mods, the Quakers have a sign openly saying this is them in the last posted pic. So hopefully you won’t remove this thread. Yep, even though the GREAT PUMPKIN couldn’t personally be on the corner (must have been resting up for the evening,s Halloween), he sent us a personal message, held by Cindy_True_Supporter (BELOW) And the Legionnaires were also there, all in their Legion jackets (BELOW). Pictured are (L-R): Janet (Adopted Legionnaire), Dave, Cindy_True_Supporter, Halsey, Carl, Glenn and [Mrs] T. And then there were the rest of us. BELOW LEFT: Cindy_True_Supporter and Fraxinus. BELOW RIGHT: Lurker Bill BELOW: And...

Climate Change finally made it to the Olney area, especially Week 197. WEEK 197, Oct. 17,2009Week 197’s roll call in Olney of 9 Patriots includes Legionnaires Glenn (USMC, WWII), Dave (Army, WWII) and friend, Janet, Halsey (USMC, Korea), Carl (Army, Vietnam Era), Lurker Bill, Cindy_True_Supporter, [Mrs] Trooprally and myself. Pictures this week are by [Mrs] T. Moonbats: 1, and she left early. But we couldn’t blame her. Weather dropped into the 40s with rain on Friday and the rain and cold continued into Saturday. Dave had to stay in the car while Janet gave her time on the corner. Carl...