Free Republic

June 26, 2015 Portman Statement on Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage “The issue of marriage equality is one that divides people of principle, and I understand that. In 2013, I decided to support marriage equality after I came to understand this issue better in the context of my own family. I can't help but view today's Supreme Court decision through that same lens. And as a father, I welcome today's decision. As I have said before, I would have preferred for this issue to be resolved by the democratic process in the states because I think you build a more lasting...

I'm late to the Oklahoma beheading incident and currently watching Greta. As soon as I saw Alton Nolen's (His "slave name" as they say)picture I knew he had served prior prison time and will, dollars to donuts, turn out to have been a Jailhouse Muslim convert. There are LOTS of jailhouse Muslims. The perfect storm is brewing for more of this activity. Eric Holder talking racism, Ferguson, ISIS. Don't leave home without your American Express (large caliber handgun).

Thank you for contacting me with regard to extending Medicaid. I appreciate hearing from you. Obamacare is not the path any of us would have chosen, however the Supreme Court's decision to uphold it and the President's reelection mean that it is, for now, the law of the land. My job as Governor is to limit its harm. I said no to a state exchange in Ohio for just that reason—to limit Obamacare's impact. I said no to Obamacare's takeover of our state's insurance regulations and no to Obamacare's takeover of our Medicaid eligibility system as well. None of those...

Chief, I was down at the station working out this morning, running on the tread mill. While I was running I was watching you testifying to the committee regarding gun control. I got so angry I decided to write you a letter. Since I couldn't find an e-mail address for you I decided to vent a little frustration here in hopes my thoughts will be viewed by someone who can forward them to you. As I watched your admiring glances and fawning praise of Sen. Feinstein, I couldn't help but immediately notice how much you two resemble one another. If...

On May 14th, 1862, Don Bosco had the joy of receiving the first religious professions of twenty-two members of the Salesian Society just constituted. Then among the rest he told the newly professed that he had sure proofs that the Salesian Society, by God's will, would prosper. And in speaking to them, he manifested an extraordinary satisfaction. Some days later, on the 30th of May, he narrated the following dream. It concerns the battles of the Church against many adversaries, the sufferings of the Pope and the final triumph through devotion to the Holy Eucharist and to Mary, Help of...

Hopefully at the end of this month I will no longer be working 2 full time jobs. I have been daydreaming about what I'm going to do with all this free time I'm going to have once I only have 1 full time job. I've discovered SOT Kayak fishing and it looks like a hoot. Was wondering if any FReepers out there have given it a try and have some advice for someone who is going to give it a try.

You load 16 tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. St. Peter don't ya call me 'cause I can't go, I owe my soul to the company store. Oh! The clotes need washin' and the fire won't start. Kids all cryin' and your breakin' my heart. Whole darn place is fallin' apart. Maybe things'll get a little better in the mornin' maybe things'll bet a little better Work your fingers to the bone and whaddy ya get? Boney fingers, boney fingers They're closin' down the textile mill across the railroad tracks, foreman says these...

Any other cops as fired up as I am about Hedgecock today? If you missed it he was crowing about the Brit police officer who put 5 shots into a terrorist's head (who was truly deserving). Then he went on to spew a litany of American police shootings in which hundreds or thousands of rounds were fired without anyone being hit. Hedgecock then belittled all police officers, wondering if any of us were capable of making the same shot as the Brit officer did. Said we all cried about not having enough Federal funding, etc., etc., ad nauseum. He promised...

Just heard on the local radio news broadcast that the Maines in Fallujah have found a suicide bomber 'factory' in Fallujah, complete with 82nd Airborne uniforms. The reporter said that speculation was the suicide bombers would try to mix with our troops and detonate the bombs.

'Listen and let it penetrate your heart, my dear little son. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need'?-Words of Our Lady to St. Juan Diago-Guadalupe 1531 Aquero came, and Bernadette saw her approaching this time from the recesses of the grotto. Her heart was beating wildly, but she was determined that the woman...

After more than nine hours of numbing testimony, a man who insisted on a jury trial for a minor traffic infraction was found guilty yesterday in Lorain Municipal Court. John Diewald, 36, of Elyria, was convicted of driving under suspension. His sentencing wont be until tomorrow, but Diewald already said he plans to appeal and "extend this as long as I can." The sheriff's officer who pulled over Diewald last year said the trial was a waste of his time and the taxpayers' money. "I've been here since 8:30 over a minor traffic violation," said Deputy Bryan Plemons in mid...

I'm going to be talking to a group of Scouts about drugs, in less than an hour: 7 p.m. 8 13 02. I was conversing with another FReeper and he suggested the mug shot pictures of the poor girl addicted to drugs. I thought it was a good idea. Anybody have it handy? This ought to be interesting. Thanks!

Perrysville, Oh. A sheriff said yesterday that the police chief in this village accidentally fired a shot through his cruiser's windshield, tried staging a traffic stop to cover up what happened, then accidentally shot himself in the leg. Police Chief Tim Sommer said he shot himself while reloading his gun, Ashland County Sheriff Wayne Risner said. Sommer had claimed he was shot by a man he pulled over for driving without license plates. Sommer, 52, could not be reached for comment yesterday. A message was left at the police station in this town about 60 miles northeast of Columbus. A...

In the year 1531 in Mexico, the Holy Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, a peasant who was converting to Catholicism. It was the 9th of December, the original feast day of the Immaculate Conception, when Juan Diego was on his way to the Church for instruction and to hear Holy Mass. Juan heard someone calling him "Juanito...Juan Dieguito." Juan Diego looked to the top of Tepeyac Hill and saw a lady of overpowering brillance and beauty, who's garments shone like the sun. She appeared to be about 14 years old. The Lady introduced herself in these words: "Know for ...

Listening to the radio, the Tribe just traded Robbie to the Mets for Lawton, Escobar, a pitcher and several players to be named later. Speculation is Omar is being shopped and will follow soon! Woe is me.

Did you see the Tribe? What a game! Bartolo Colon struck out everybody, 8 shut out innings. Ichiro caught stealing on a pitch out. Ellis Burks with a blast to the upper deck in left field and the big three run inning by the Tribe put the game one scalp in the Tribes belt. Tribe in 3!

James M. Conrad of Amherst has every right to post the Confederate battle flag next to the Stars and Stripes on his front porch, smack in the middle of the town across from City Hall. It's a symbolic expression of a political view, and that kind of "speech" is guaranteed by the First Amendment. But we, like the mayor of Amherst, just wish he wouldn't do it. It sends the wrong message about what the community stands for today. When we asked him about the flag, Conrad said he felt respect for the "Stars and Bars" and what he thinks ...

First I thought I'd share some fun and creative new kids names for parents who may be having difficulty picking a name for junior. Yesterday our guys were sent to a house on a 911 hangup call. They didnt have to kick in a door, send a dog or shoot anybody. After everything was calmed down we got everybodies name. Here are the kids names, I thought you'd enjoy them. I will give the first and middle names, no last name. "Dixon Lennon", "Nixon Kissinger", "Reagan Bush" (bound to be a fave) "Jefferson Dole" and last but not least, the ...

For 60 years St. John Bosco experienced remarkable vision-like dreams, which were so lively and vivid that he would often awaken exhausted the next morning. The dreams frequently featured the actual boys at the Oratory; however, their value goes far beyond this, since they bring to life the realities of the Catholic Faith in a way that is absolutely unique! The following is perhaps St. John Bosco's most famous dream entitled "Two columns in the sea." The Dream "Imagine yourselves to be with me on the seashore, or better, on an isolated rock and not to see any patch of ...

Tonight from 9:00 pm EST until 01:00 am EST there is a nationwide prayer vigil being conducted for an end to abortion. Catholic Churchs across the country will be participating and the vigil is sponsored by the organization "Priests for Life." Please, no matter your denomination or whether or not you can make it to a church, try to spend at least an hour in prayer for an end to abortion during these hours. This February at the National Prayer Breakfast the Pope, John Paul II sent a letter to the participants at the prayer breakfast in which he said ...