Free Republic

This is the 20th anniversary of my years at FreeRepublic. I joined on November 9, 1998. I found a home here and have enjoyed my almost daily visits. Some of the most fascinating people have passed through the FR portal and the beautiful format allowed for sustained conversation and deep education of this fledgling conservative. FR also has provided much support and guidance through the talents and knowledge and kindnesses of its members. Tied down with four children to support, homeschool, and raise, singlehandedly, I was never able to make any of the events and was sad not to attend...

WACO, Texas (AP) -- Some who survived the fiery end to the 51-day standoff at the Branch Davidians' Central Texas compound are to gather for a memorial service on the 20th anniversary of the fire. Survivors and others who see the events as an unwarranted government intrusion into personal and religious freedoms are to attend the service Friday at a Waco museum. Federal agents raided the compound Feb. 28, 1993, trying to arrest sect leader David Koresh for stockpiling illegal weapons. But the group had been tipped off about the raid and a shootout ensued. Four agents and six Davidians...

Rush Limbaugh is a patriot. Pure and simple, a patriot.I see him in the select company of other patriots like Paul Revere, Thomas Paine and Ben Franklin. Thankfully, he hasn't been asked to make a dying proclamation like Nathan Hale – "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country" – but I suspect he would, if it came to that.Oh, I know he's the big dog in radio, all radio, and not just conservative. And I know he's paid big bucks because of the millions that listen to him every week. And I'm aware...

Matthew Broderick stars in the '80s teen comedy about rebelling in style. Every kid has known a Ferris Bueller, that kid with the zen-like state of mind who seems impossibly mature, infuriatingly confident, never less than charming and usually gets what he wants. And this being the infamous decade of greed, that means conspicuous consumption. Our '80s Ferris is played with great style by a young Matthew Broderick who, tired of school drudgery, borrows a Ferrari and convinces some friends to accompany him to Chicago for the day. Naturally all this is to be accomplished without anyone noticing, without any...

While others talked the cheap talk these are the guys who walked the real Vietnam walk. And this Friday, as a new war rages in Iraq, the New Yorkers who served in Vietnam will march across the Brooklyn Bridge to commemorate the 20th anniversary of this city's Vietnam veterans "Welcome Home" ceremony. The event will start at 10 a.m. at Cadman Plaza Park, with an 11 a.m. march across the Brooklyn Bridge to Vietnam Veterans Plaza at 55 Water St. Remembrance ceremonies begin at noon with keynote speakers, followed by a POW/MIA wreath laying, and a reunion center. Although I...