http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/*/ en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 20:21:36 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023140/posts Fantastic: Jason Mattera catches up with both Al Franken and Chuck Schumer to question them about sending letters to the IRS asking for probes into conservative groups. After almost tripping over his own feet, Franked engaged Mattera about it in the form of a denial, and Schumer just completely ignored him. It’s almost like the questions hit home a little too close. The Right Scoop http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023140/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:21:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023139/posts House Republicans vowed Thursday to have their own say in the debate over immigration reform, two days after a Senate committee gave approval to a sweeping border control bill. GOP leaders said in a statement that the House “will not simply take up and accept the bill that is emerging in the Senate if it passes. … The House will work its will and produce its own legislation.” Speaker John Boehner (Ohio), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (Va.) and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) issued the statement along with Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023139/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:19:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023138/posts Lois Lerner didn’t just take the Fifth. She gave a little speech first saying she had done nothing wrong. That certainly opens her up to some questions, although the extent to which it does is debatable. Imagine the following sequence of questions: 1) Did you do anything wrong? 2) Do you think that it would be wrong to target conservative groups because of their ideology? 3) Did you target conservative groups because of their ideology? Given that Lois Lerner gave an opening statement in which she said that she had not done anything wrong, it would be interesting to see... Patterico's Pontifications http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023138/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:19:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023137/posts The gilded lifestyle of MEPs has been compared to the uncontrolled excesses of ancient Rome after research showed their perks have not been dented despite biting austerity measures. From Italian MEPs who enjoy free haircuts to Maltese ones who get 52 free gallons of petrol a month, the perks—and expenses—continue unabated for the representatives of European Union nations. MEPs from the 27 EU nations are paid salaries of £137 million ($207 million) a year, according to research by German pricing watchdog Preisvergleich.de, and some earn 740 percent more than the average citizen. … Daily Mail (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023137/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:17:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023136/posts Every day brings new revelations about who knew what about the IRS targeting conservative groups during President Obama's re-election campaign, but the overall impression is of a vast federal bureaucracy run amok. While the White House continues to peddle the story of a driverless train wreck, taxpayers are being treated to a demonstration of the dangers of an unwieldy and unaccountable administrative state. Look, Ma, no hands! In his press events, Mr. Obama has said that while he learned about the Cincinnati rogues on the news, he plans to "hold accountable those who have taken these outrageous actions." But the... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023136/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:17:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023135/posts <p>PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Surrounded by engineers, NASA chief Charles Bolden inspected a prototype spacecraft engine that could power an audacious mission to lasso an asteroid and tow it closer to Earth for astronauts to explore.</p> <p>Bolden checked on the progress Thursday a month after the Obama administration unveiled its 2014 budget that proposes $105 million to jumpstart the mission, which may eventually cost more than $2.6 billion.</p> Associated Press (science) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023135/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:16:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023134/posts Inquiring minds with extra time on their hands this morning are plodding through the Full Transcript of Bernanke's Testimony To Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress looking for the usual collection of half-truths, distortions, and outright lies it usually contains. Here are some point-by-point statements by Bernanke with my comments immediately following each set of statements. Bernanke: Conditions in the job market have shown some improvement recently. The unemployment rate, at 7.5 percent in April, has declined more than 1/2 percentage point since last summer. Moreover, gains in total nonfarm payroll employment have averaged more than 200,000 jobs per month over... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023134/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:15:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023133/posts Obama Calls for Gitmo Inmates to Be Transfered to the United States Daniel Halper May 23, 2013 2:01 PM In a speech today, President Obama is calling for the transfer for Gitmo inmates to the United States. "The original premise for opening GTMO – that detainees would not be able to challenge their detention – was found unconstitutional five years ago. In the meantime, GTMO has become a symbol around the world for an America that flouts the rule of law. Our allies won’t cooperate with us if they think a terrorist will end up at GTMO. During a time... Weekly Standard http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023133/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:14:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3023132/posts (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday urged Catholics in China to remain loyal to the Vatican, whose authority is challenged by China's Communist rulers. China's Catholics number between 8 and 12 million and are divided between the state-sanctioned Catholic Patriotic Association, which has installed bishops without Vatican approval, and an "underground" wing loyal to the Vatican that rejects state control. Francis's predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, made May 24 a day dedicated to prayer for China's Catholics. Francis said at his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square that he prayed that China's Catholics would receive "the grace to announce Christ with... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3023132/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:13:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3023131/posts Joe Biden has a very long history of putting his foot in his mouth. Be it when he called his running mate "Barack America," or when he stated, "You cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent to fully... I'm not joking." On Tuesday he did it again, this time when giving a speech about the impact that Jewish Americans have had on American culture. The Vice President started out by lauding the great achievements made by Jews in the United States. Then, speaking off-the-cuff, he veered into odd territory. Discussing the... Pundit Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3023131/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:12:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3023130/posts RESOLVED, That Barack H. Obama, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the following articles of impeachment to be exhibited to the Senate... Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3023130/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:11:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3023129/posts A fire toppled a railroad bridge like it was made of dominoes outside the small town of San Saba, Texas. Members of the Lometa, Texas, volunteer fire department arrived on the scene, but they could only contain the fire and watch as trestle after trestle folded, leaving the train rails suspended in air momentarily like Wile E. Coyote. Video here Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3023129/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:11:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023128/posts WASHINGTON — While momentum has been building inside the House Republican conference for a special congressional committee to investigate last year’s terrorist attacks in Benghazi, the GOP leadership is making it clear they still have no enthusiasm for establishing such a committee. About two-thirds of House Republicans — 153 in total — have signed on to the resolution offered by Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia to establish “a select committee to investigate and report on the attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya.” “I think there’s a lot of frustration up here among members that the stuff that’s... The Daily Caller http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023128/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:10:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023127/posts LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Is the highest-paid mayor in the United States broke? With just over a month left in his second and final term, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will leave office in June reportedly without a place to live or a car of his own to drive, according to a report published Thursday. Jill Stewart, L.A. WeeklyÂ’s managing editor, told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO that Villaraigosa faces an uncertain political – and financial – future when he steps down June 30. In order to maintain his current lifestyle, which includes frequent cross-country travel, a mayoral mansion at the taxpayer-supported Getty House,... CBSLA.com) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023127/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:09:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023126/posts David Cameron warned restive Tory MPs he will not change policy on an EU referendum yesterday—but promised there would be no more divisive issues such as gay marriage. Seeking to draw a line under a turbulent fortnight, the Prime Minister said his party could now rally behind his pledge to give voters an in/out choice on British membership of the EU by 2017, following an attempt to claw back key powers. He warned Euroskeptics who may seek further concessions: “It’s a very clear, very decisive policy. [It] doesn’t matter the pressure I come under from outside the Conservative Party or... Daily Mail (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023126/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:07:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023125/posts VCU Holds Second Lavender Graduation Cassie Williams Jones University Public Affairs (804) 828-7028 cwjones@vcu.edu 5/2/2013 Approximately 40 graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex seniors participated in the second VCU Lavender Graduation on April 26. Lavender Graduation is a special graduation ceremony that honors the achievements of graduating gender and sexual minority students on campus. Participants received a rainbow cord to wear with their academic regalia at the university’s official commencement activities on May 11. “It was such a delight to be part of the second annual Lavender Graduation planning group and to see the room full of people... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023125/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:06:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023124/posts Conservative Republicans said Wednesday that they will demand that Congress produce a budget that balances in 10 years in exchange for agreeing to raise the federal debt limit, and that House Speaker John A. Boehner promised as much during a GOP retreat this year. ... The next debt fight is looming later this year. If enough Republicans back the conservatives‘ plan, it could reprise the 2011 showdown that ran to the brink and led to the downgrading of U.S. debt by one of the major credit rating agencies. Wash Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023124/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:04:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3023123/posts News accounts that a high-end Italian shotgun company executive was taken into custody at a Denver gun show after a cab driver tipped off authorities that he was transporting a suspected terrorist have crumbled under scrutiny, 9NEWS KUSA-TV reported yesterday evening. Also called into question is the credibility of a key source for the story. Gun Rights Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3023123/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:03:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023122/posts Pelosi: Obama 'Doesn’t Know About Everything That Is Going on in Every Agency of Gov't’ May 23, 2013 By Elizabeth Harrington (CNSNews.com) - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday during a press conference on Capitol Hill that the buck doesn't stop with President Barack Obama on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scandal, because he cannot "know about everything that is going on in every agency of government." "Well, the president doesn’t know about everything that is going on in every agency of government," Pelosi said in response to a reporter asking, “Doesn’t the buck stop with him (Obama)?... CNSNews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023122/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 20:02:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3023120/posts Psalm 149:1 Sing to the Lord a New Song, Praise Him in the Assembly of His Saints. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3023120/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 19:54:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023119/posts NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) - Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in the "Weiner for Mayor" banner shows a bridge and a skyline. But that's not New York. The picture is of the Roberto Clemente Bridge in the Steel City, according to several Tweets and blog posts. MyFox NY http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023119/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 19:51:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3023118/posts On Wednesday a British soldier was ruthlessly run down and butchered by machete-wielding jihadists. Moments later, one of the bloody-handed attackers said on video that they wanted to start a war in Britain, warning “you people will never be safe,” and adding “we swear by almighty Allah, that we will never stop fighting you.” The soldier’s body lay bleeding in the background. The Washington Post front page headline for this shocking story: “Man killed in suspected terror attack.” “Suspected” terror attack? Is there some doubt about it? This was a violent act in a peaceful neighborhood committed by self-confessed extremists... Rare.US http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3023118/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 19:51:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3023117/posts John Steinbeck's 1942 novel The Moon is Down is about people of a small  village occupied by Nazi forces somewhere in Northern Europe. They become sullen and their obedience is bought at an increasingly high price. Free people cannot remain conquered.Re-reading The Moon is Down left me with nagging questions about the extent to which the People of the United States remain free. Those questions did not arise when I first read it, many years ago. It now seems obvious that we are less free than we once were; yet perhaps (one can at least hope that) there are still enough to make... Dan Miller's Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3023117/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 19:51:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023116/posts Beauty and brains! Eva Longoria had a whirlwind week in Cannes and has now topped it off with a big accomplishment: graduating with a master's degree at California State University. "Big day today!!!" the former Desperate Housewives star tweeted on Wednesday, May 22. "Very excited to graduate for my Master's degree in Chicano Studies! You're never too old or too busy to continue your education!" PHOTOS: Desperate Housewives cast -- then and now Longoria's former costars and friends quickly congratulated her on the news. Marcia Cross tweeted, "Huge congratulations on your graduation today!!!! From Canne to Cap and Gown. You... US Weekly http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023116/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 19:43:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023115/posts THE Woolwich jihadist, Michael Adebolajo, 28, became a serious Muslim when he was 15 years old, reports The Daily Mail. He is the son of Nigerian immigrants and, for thirteen years, he evinced all the makings of a future jihadist, reportedly alarming his family and friends. He became a self-appointed soldier for Islam and finally took his beliefs to their logical climax when he killed the British soldier Lee Rigby yesterday.Such an act could have been prevented. But brilliant surveillance work that can distinguish the bad Muslims from the good Muslims will never work. All Muslims support jihadists in the sense... The Thinking Housewife http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023115/posts#comment Thu, 23 May 2013 19:42:24 GMT