Free Republic

Recently, the Trump administration took the laudable step of announcing a proposed ban on all flavored e-cigarettes in the United States. Recognizing that we are in the midst of a youth vaping epidemic, as well as the sudden explosion of vaping-related lung illnesses and deaths, the president rightly sprung into action. Flavors are a gateway to vaping, addiction, illness and even death, and by removing them from the market, we can take a serious bite out of this tragic crisis.Predictably, vaping giant Juul, who is more than one-third owned by tobacco giant Altria, is quietly trying to chip away at...

Executive SummaryEarly Learning and Student Success Immediate Steps Create early learning collaboratives in every county in the state Adopt a state-wide public engagement initiative (annual summit) Long Range Steps Provide opportunity for all 0-5 to participate in full year educational experiences Adopt pre-k - 3 non-graded education model for children ages 4-8 Teaching and Learning Immediate Steps Develop challenging curricula (common core state standards may be basis for robust curricula). Culture, Climate, and Organizational Efficacy Long Range Steps Establish each school as the center or hub of the community it serves Financial Resources Immediate Steps Initiate process for evaluating local...

“What’s that?” asked little Johnson Benson as he stared in wild-eyed amazement at the streams of cars traveling on I-99 toward State College. “They’re called commuters and they’re going to work,” replies his mother, Madine Selkers. “Work? What’s that mommy?” Johnson said, raising his eyebrows. “It’s a way for other people to enable my substance abuse, as well as provide us with a lifestyle of relative ease and border-line criminal behavior,” Selkers said. “These people owe us a living, Johnson, and you should avoid them.” Today, thousands of Welfare mothers, mainly in Blair County and Bellefonte, will keep their children...

Cabbie pulls teeth out Oct 20 09:08 AM US/Eastern A man described how he pulled out seven of his own teeth because he was told to wait for an appointment to see an NHS dentist. Taxi driver Arthur Haupt used pliers and a technique he had learned in the army to carry out the DIY dentistry. He said he was forced in agony into taking the drastic action because he was given a three-week wait by staff at his local NHS dental surgery.

This is where things are heading. From the AP: “John Edwards said on Sunday that his universal health care proposal would require that Americans go to the doctor for preventive care.” Edwards: “It requires that everybody get preventive care... you can't choose not to go to the doctor for 20 years. You have to go in and be checked...” He noted that women would be required to have regular mammograms in an effort to find and treat “the first trace of a problem.” Edwards: "The whole idea is a continuum of care, basically from birth to death.” In NYC, already,...

Kids want to know. Kids need to know. It's up to you to tell them... WHY MOMMY IS A DEMOCRAT A different kind of children's book. Why Mommy is a Democrat brings to life the core values of the Democratic party in ways that young children will easily understand and thoroughly enjoy. Using plain and non-judgmental language, along with warm and whimsical illustrations, this colorful 28-page paperback depicts the Democratic principles of fairness, tolerance, peace, and concern for the well-being of others. It's a great way for parents to gently communicate their commitment to these principles and explain their support...