Free Republic

After Tuesday's big launch of Windows 10 S, it emerged the software will force people to use Edge and Bing. How can that be?The supposedly streamlined operating system aimed at kids and their teachers will only run apps from Microsoft's official Windows 10 S software store. Right now, there are no third-party browsers available from its shelves. That leaves users with the bundled Edge browser and Bing for web search.You can't change the search engine from Bing, and, for now, you can't get another browser besides Edge. Even if you could get another browser, Edge will override all the time,...

The Western Schism of the 13th and 14th centuries saw five antipopes contest the legitimate succession to the pontifical throne. The schism was officially put to rest by the Ecumenical Council of Constance in 1417, although three of the five papal charlatans continued unsuccessfully to rebel against the authority of the Council. What we might call the American Schism of our day resembles a bizarre rerun of that sectarian clash, albeit in a secular dimension. For eight years Washington was not Washington, but Avignon on the Potomac, presided over by Anti-President Barack Obama II. Many observers feel that the controversial...

In voting to repeal President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, House Republicans finally delivered on a key Trump administration goal and on a campaign promise that they have made for the better part of a decade — but at a potentially steep price. But by leaning on members to vote for a bill that many fear will take too much health care from too many people, Mr. Ryan has exposed moderate Republicans to withering political attacks. This is especially true in the roughly two dozen districts where Hillary Clinton prevailed, but it is also the case in places where...

Four new projects breaking ground this year along Osceola Parkway are set to bring Osceola County $150 million in economic impact — including one near a planned SunRail commuter rail station that will create 1,000 jobs....

"Having summoned His twelve disciples, [Jesus] gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Now the names of the twelve apostles were these" (Matt. 10:1-2). Every disciple must also be a discipler. Have you ever met someone who constantly absorbs what the church has to offer, yet never seems to plug into a ministry where he can give to others? I've met many people like that. Some have attended church for many years, and have even taken evangelism and other special training classes. But they never...

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17). The main reason God allows trials in the lives of Christians is to test the strength of their faith. The memorable example in Genesis 22 of Abraham’s testing is perhaps the severest trial any human being has ever faced. When God told Abraham to offer his only son Isaac as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of Moriah (Gen. 22:1-2), Abraham no doubt was stunned. In terms of God’s nature, His plan...

A Russian-made Antonov An-124 parked at SFO (Photo: Chris McGinnis) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Departing SFO last week, I peered out my window at a rare site: a gigantic Russian Antonov An-124 cargo jet parked across the runways from airport terminals. I thought it was a one-time event, but I began hearing more about it from TravelSkills readers who have seen one or two of the behemoths over the last two weeks at SFO. I reached out to airport officials at SFO to inquire about the planes, but only received vague replies: “Yes, we’ve had these Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft making semi-regular appearances...

The health care bill passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives on Thursday could lead to millions of Californians losing health insurance, paying significantly more for coverage or receiving less generous health benefits

What is the Gospel?  Does the Bible define it?  Is it an important doctrine? Writing to the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul calls the Gospel "of first importance".  In other words, the Gospel is the foremost and foundational doctrine of the entire Christian faith.  Without it Christianity is just an empty shell - a house of cards that will soon collapse in on itself.  The word "Gospel" is regularly thrown around without definition as if everyone who hears the word instantly recognizes its meaning.  To most it's indecipherable Christianese.  The Church has largely failed to remind itself and others of...

Two GOP legislators are introducing legislation to let states annually import 500,000 foreign blue-collar workers and white-collar professionals to replace Americans who have fallen out of the workforce and into drug addiction. The American replacement bill is needed because companies can’t hire the employees they want amid the massive decline in the number of Americans who are seeking work, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson told an event hosted Wednesday by the CATO Institute. “Why can’t Wisconsin manufacturers, why can’t small businesses, find enough people to work?” Johnson asked during a speech in a Senate hearing room with supporters of the replacement...

“When you come to a fork in the road,” Yogi Berra is said to have recommended, “take it.” That is more or less what the Order of Malta have just done in their elections. The 56 voters had a choice between the old order, represented by previous Grand Master Fra’ Matthew Festing, and the reformist movement dominated by German knights, most prominently Albrecht von Boeselager.That is an oversimplification, of course; but the two sides certainly exist. The Festingites believe that the order’s constitution works tolerably well. They merely want to expand the order’s charitable work in 120 countries around the...

Amid speculations that Melania Trump and step-daughter Ivanka Trump have frosty relationship, the latter — in her new book “Women Who Work” — praised the first lady and thanked her for the "support and friendship." "Melania, you are an unbelievable mother with a heart of gold. You give generously of your time and attention and I appreciate your support and friendship," Ivanka wrote, according to CNN reporter Betsy Klein’s tweet that had a photo of the book’s excerpts This isn’t the first time President Donald Trump’s eldest daughter praised the former model. Ivanka called Melania an "incredible stepmom" on the...

The various media pundits and news stories are calling H.R. 1180 a “new overtime bill”. However, in reality the ‘take pay or take time off’ concept is more than 50 years old; we used to call it “compensatory time” or “comp time”...... The basic principle can be awesome for employees for a variety of reasons. However, few young workers today have an understanding of how it works. Say you work 60 hours in a week. If ‘compensatory time’ options are available you can take your standard 40 hour paycheck and defer the 20 overtime hours to future time off at...

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.) told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday that there is so far no evidence showing collusion between Donald Trump's campaign aides and Russian officials. Blitzer mentioned that Feinstein and other colleagues from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence had visited CIA headquarters on Tuesday to be briefed on the investigation. He then asked Feinstein whether she had evidence, without disclosing any classified information, that there was collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. "Not at this time," Feinstein said. "Well, that's a pretty precise answer," Blitzer said.

LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TWP. -- A worker "deliberately" attempted to fix an error he had made while conducting tests at a New Jersey nuclear reactor causing the plant to shut down 2 years ago, federal officials say.

The Gravedigger of the LeftNOTE: Mária Schmidt is a Hungarian historian and university lecturer. In the following essay she outlines the trajectory of George Soros’ career and describes his ongoing nefarious schemes with great lucidity. Her account is literally horripilating: it made my skin crawl to read what this vile man has unleashed upon the world. This “globalized” world. Many thanks to CrossWare for undertaking the extended task of translating this important article that was originally published at the Hungarian website Latoszogblog.hu: The Gravedigger of the Left by Mária Schmidt April 16, 2017 Case study Once upon a time...

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R., S.C.) told Fox News on Thursday morning that Congress may subpoena Barack Obama's former national security adviser, Susan Rice, to testify about unmasking Trump transition officials. Rice declined an invitation to testify next week before a Senate subcommittee on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. Republicans have asked Rice to appear before lawmakers after reports revealed last month that she requested on several occasions the identities of "masked" U.S. persons in intelligence reports linked to President Trump's transition and campaign.

A donkey named Oliver joined several therapy dogs offering stress relief during Finals Week at Montana State University in Bozeman.

In what could've been a regularly scheduled event held by the American Legion or an attempt at damage control, the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center was the site of a town hall meeting where veterans could let air their comments to the new acting director, Lawrence Connell, regarding the recent and damaging IG report on that facility.

Although the Trump administration's new healthcare bill has yet to pass the Senate, Hollywood stars have already vowed revenge on the GOP. On Thursday afternoon, the House voted narrowly (217 to 213) to repeal Obamacare and replace it with the American Health Care Act. Immediately, celebrities condemned the "felons," accusing them of "entitlement," "fraud" and "hypocrisy." Many urged resistance, while actor Ron Perlman even threatened California's Republican House members.