Free Republic

Hundreds of e-mails and letters from across the country supporting two convicted Border Patrol agents are pouring into a local Border Patrol support organization since the Daily Bulletin reported the agents' story Sunday. Numerous Web sites also are encouraging their users to sign online petitions for a presidential pardon for the two men. Friends of the Border Patrol, a Chino-based non-profit organization that has been following the story of convicted Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alanso Compean, has launched "Pardon the Agents," a national campaign to assist Ramos and Compean. The group also is asking for a congressional...

A Video tribute has been created by the SaveTheSoldiers.com honoring our heroic friends. The song is Superman by Five For Fighting... Visit Hero.savethesoldiers.com to view the video!

Iraqi soldiers fire their weapons at Forward Operating Base Dagger, near Tikrit, Iraq. Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment TIKRIT -- Coalition forces joined with their Iraqi army counterparts to do something all Soldiers like to do, fire weapons. Weapons firing was held for newly enlisted Iraqi soldiers, “the jundhi,” at Forward Operating Base Dagger and was planned and conducted solely by the Iraqi army. “We mainly just provided them with a little input,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Barrick of the 101st Airborne Division. “We were there more as observers than...

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 7, 2006 – NASCAR fans at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard here yesterday said “thank you” to the nation’s servicemembers 400 times in the first 10 minutes after learning how they could use their cell phones to send words of support. Text messaging the word “Thanks” by dialing TXASY, or 89279, is another way for Americans to show support for the troops, said Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison. “It’s just a way to keep reminding our military members and their families that the American people really do support them....

The problem with watching a situation like Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah develop in the news is that it is very much like watching how a sausage is made, Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, the president of the Israel Project, told The Jewish Standard. Sometimes you see things that make you queasy.Even though Mizrahi’s Washington, D.C.- based organization is designed to get a pro-Israel P.R. message to the mainstream American and international press, media have been relaying every gory detail of Israel’s attacks against Lebanon, turning the international community decidedly against Israel. But despite international criticism over Israel’s actions in Lebanon over the...

WASHINGTON, August 4, 2006 --President Bush praised the National Guard yesterday for its speedy response to the U.S. border security mission and pointed to solid signs of its success: the U.S. Border Patrol’s seizure of 17,000 pounds of illegal drugs and apprehension of 2,500 illegal immigrants. Bush traveled to McAllen, Texas, to get a first-hand look at progress in Operation Jump Start, the National Guard support mission he ordered in May. At that time, the president pledged that up to 6,000 National Guard troops would be in place by Aug. 1 to bolster the Border Patrol while it recruits and...

The Silicon Valley Young Republicans Federated would like for you to attend this event this August.This is a funraiser to help raise funds for many Pro Troop causes. SVYRF Club Socials SVYRFC Annual BBQ Location: Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga When: August 12, 2006 Registration: starts at 3pm Food: 4pm Program/Speakers: 5pm Clean-up: 8pm Confirmed Speakers: Claude Parrish, BOE member and Republican candidate for State Treasurer Mike Wasserman, Los Gatos town councilman, former Los Gatos mayor Elsie Gufler, Republican candidate for CA Assembly District 19 Larry Hileman, Republican candidate for CA Assembly District 24 Rob Smith, Republican candidate for CA...

The Silicon Valley Young Republicans Federated would like for you to attend this event this August.This is a funraiser to help raise funds for many Pro Troop causes. SVYRF Club Socials SVYRFC Annual BBQ Location: Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga When: August 12, 2006 Registration: starts at 3pm Food: 4pm Program/Speakers: 5pm Clean-up: 8pm Confirmed Speakers: Claude Parrish, BOE member and Republican candidate for State Treasurer Mike Wasserman, Los Gatos town councilman, former Los Gatos mayor Elsie Gufler, Republican candidate for CA Assembly District 19 Larry Hileman, Republican candidate for CA Assembly District 24 Rob Smith, Republican candidate for CA...

In a recent article in the Jerusalem Post former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu mentioned that there are "tens of millions of Evangelical Christians in the United States" that are supporters of Israel. (Netanyahu, who gave away 80% of the city of Hebron during his tenure as Prime Minister, is beginning his bid for re-election.) His numbers are based on a statement made by John Hagee, leader of a large Christian congregation in Texas. Hagee claims that there are 70 million Evangelicals in the United States that stand united with Israel. I have heard and read many other Christian leaders toss...

SACRAMENTO – Support for a record $37.3 billion public-works bond package placed on the Nov. 7 ballot by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature is slipping as Republicans switch to opposition, according to a new Field Poll. Bond measures for transportation, schools and flood control still have leads, but a housing bond is trailing. A separate $5.4 billion water and parks bond, placed on the ballot by gathering signatures, also has a lead. After months of negotiations, the governor and the Legislature reached a bipartisan agreement on a massive bond package intended to rebuild California's neglected infrastructure and prepare for...

SavetheSoldiers.com Launches Censure Murtha Petition SavetheSoldiers.com, a web community committed to supporting the U.S Military and most importantly the officers, Marines and soldiers who are doing the fighting, has placed a petition online to censure Congressman John Murtha. The petition can be reached at www.censuremurtha.com."This is about decency not politics. We ask people regardless of political affiliation to send a message that this conduct will not be tolerated and there will be a price to pay. We ask all Americans of good conscious to support our effort against Mr. Murtha and remain vigilant against any politician or publication that...

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany, July 26, 2006 – Scores of representatives from almost two dozen nations left the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies here with what could be new directions in the fight against terror after a week-long seminar. Representatives at the seminar, which ended July 21, included Marshall Center alumni from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine, as well as speakers and observers. The alumni seminar is an annual event during which the center invites a select group of alumni who...

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2006 – "Operation: S.A.M.," or Saluting All Military, is working to ease servicemembers minds about how much support they have back home. Troops stationed in Iraq display packages they received from Operation S.A.M. The packages contain hygiene, snack, comfort and entertainment items. Servicemembers' gratitude is reflected in thank you letters S.A.M. receives, a representative said. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. "Almost in all the communication we have with the troops, there seems to be an unspoken desire to know if their efforts are appreciated and supported by Americans," Penny Redmon, S.A.M.'s past president...

Not really sure where to put this. Would like to post it for any comments, additions, subtractions, other FReepers might have. Suggestion: How about programming some stars that go with your handle on posts as a vanity tag. So you'd get one star attached to your handle per $10/month you are currently giving to FR on auto deduction plan. (or per $20/month.) Would like to hear what other FReepers think about the idea, even if they disagree! What do you think? Would it be cool, or not? **1-Eagle <--- wahoo! I gots two stars! (well, and 1/2, grin)

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2006 – National Guard troops are fanning out across the United States, confronting wildfires in the West and Midwest, conducting storm-recovery efforts in Missouri, providing security support in New Orleans, and boosting U.S. Border Patrol capabilities along the southwest border. With more than 4,200 Guardsmen supporting Operation Jump Start along the U.S.-Mexico border -- a number to go as high as 6,000 by Aug. 1 -- Guard members also are responding to two other major domestic operations, National Guard Bureau officials said today. Almost 150 National Guard members are providing firefighting support, and another 200 responded after...

Silicon Valley Young Republican Federated Location: Sanborn Skyline County Park 16001 Sanborn Rd, saratoga, CA View Map When: Saturday, August 12, 5:00pm Phone: Svyrfc-408 243 4761 Greetings: The Silicon Valley Young Republicans Federated would like to invite everyone to attend our event to help raise money for the troops on august 12th. We are co-sponsering this event with the California Republican Assembly unit in santa clara county. We would feel honored if you can attend or if you can not attend you can donate. SVYRF Club Socials SVYRFC Annual BBQ Location: Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga When: August 12, 2006...

7/10/2006 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Supporting warfighters on the ground is the overarching mission of everyone deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Carrying out this earthly mission from thousands of miles above the ground, though, is a responsibility coordinated by the Combined Air Operations Center here. "We're focused on providing space support to any operation throughout the theater," said Col. John Hyten, director of space forces for the CAOC. "We have deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines with space expertise to ensure that the power of space is brought to bear in line with the timing...

Iraqis Assume Logistical Support An Iraqi Garrison Support Unit will provide logistical support for the 4th Iraqi Division as well as other Iraqi Army troops in the Kirkuk area. By Spc. Anna-Marie Hizer 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment KIRKUK, Iraq, July 10, 2006 -- In order to function, a military force relies on its supply channels to obtain the supplies soldiers need.Until recently, the Iraqi Army had to rely on Coalition Forces for their supplies; be it clothing, ammunition or food. Now, however, Iraqi Army Garrison Support Unit soldiers at KirkukÂ’s K-1 Army compound are taking over their own...

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2006 – Five members of the Major League Baseball's Houston Astros bullpen will collectively contribute to 'Strikeouts for Troops' this season. Strikeouts for Troops a national project created by Oakland Athletics pitcher Barry Zito, benefiting servicemembers injured in battle and rehabilitating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, D.C; the National Medical Center, in Bethesda, Md.; and other military hospitals. Brad Lidge, Trever Miller, Chad Qualls, Russ Springer and Dan Wheeler join the current efforts of 16 Major League pitchers and four minor league pitchers, including Triple A Round Rock pitcher Jason Hirsh, in providing...

BAGHDADI, Iraq (July 4, 2006) -- An Iraqi man with sweat dripping off of his brow reaches into a bucket to grab a handful of mortar. He spreads the thick paste across a half built wall under the scorching midday sun in Baghdadi, Iraq, June 19. This is a common occurrence in any part of Iraq, but what makes this scene special is that the Iraqis are paying for the labor and materials -- not the American people. "The Iraqis are taking things into their own hands," said Gunnery Sgt. Erik E. Duane, detachment chief, Detachment 1, 3rd Civil Affairs...