Free Republic

HELSINKI (Reuters) - A Finnish member of parliament is aiming for re-election by campaigning with a translation of his Web site into Klingon, used in the TV series Star Trek. "Some have thought it is blasphemy to mix politics and Klingon," said Jyrki Kasvi, an ardent Trekkie. "Others say it is good if politicians can laugh at themselves." He said his politics posed some translation difficulties, since Klingon does not have words for matters such as tolerance, or for many colours, including green -- the party under whose banner he is running in the national elections on March 18. Non-warriors...

Early Church Fathers on the Church Ignatius of Antioch Follow your bishop, every one of you, as obediently as Jesus Christ followed the Father. Obey your clergy too as you would the apostles; give your deacons the same reverence that you would to a command of God. Make sure that no step affecting the Church is ever taken by anyone without the bishop’s sanction. The sole Eucharist you should consider valid is one that is celebrated by the bishop himself, or by some person authorized by him. Where the bishop is to be seen, there let all his people be;...

Theotokos, Mother of God, You who knew the blessedness of living with Him, He our Light, our Peace, our Salvation, Theotokos, O Mother of Sorrows, You who knew the darkness of watching Him die Scorned, abused, in pain and misery, Theotokos,  O Mother of Tears, thank you for saying yes when Simeon told you how the sword would pierce your heart, Theotokos, O Mother of our Hope, thank you for saying yes when it was time to flee to Egypt, Theotokos, O Mother most faithful, for saying yes, and knowing how it feels to lose the light of your Son,...

The First Blow The whip travels in a descending arc, three thongs carrying weights of lead double headed cargo to increase the impact. The hand that wields is the rough and calloused hand of a soldier doing a duty, unknowing, uncaring of whose back it was in front of him. Perhaps as he swings, he thinks of all the looks of disdain, the women who turn away, the men who spit when he passes and they think he does not see, this strange people with their strange hates and strange language and strange god, and in retalliation, he swings harder....

The grieving mother stands beside A blood-stained cross of wood Where hangs her one and only son, So innocent and good, O see the tears that touch her cheek, Each one a shining jewel, Witness to to the cost of sin, So heavy, dark and cruel. Her son was given as a gift to heal this world of woe, And she was warned of sorrow's sword so many years ago. O see the tears that touch her cheek, Each one a shining jewel, Witness to to the cost of sin, So heavy, dark and cruel. She feels the blade...

See the Bridegroom coming, Coming with shouts and noise, Soldiers marching in fine array, Heading to His betrothal. See the Bridegroom standing, Standing there before the crowd, Dressed in the finery of love Heading to His betrothal. His garland is a bloody crown of twisted thorn thrust on his head, Finery than the lillies of spring, Arrayed for His betrothal, His robe a bloodstained rag of red, Mockery of royal garb, Richer than any silk woven, Fine clothes for His betrothal. His body anointed with his own blood, A perfume from Heaven for his bride And spittle from the...

Thread 2 Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, our nation has fought a global war against violent extremists who use terrorism as their weapon of choice, and who seek to destroy our free way of life. Our enemies seek weapons of mass destruction and, if they are successful, will likely attempt to use them in their conflict with free people everywhere. Currently, the struggle is centered in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we will need to be prepared and arranged to successfully defend our nation and its interests around the globe for years to come. DOD Our enemies include...

SALT LAKE CITY An off-duty police officer from Ogden killed the 18-year-old gunman who shot nine people–five of them fatally–at Trolley Square mall Monday night, according to Ogden Police Chief Jon Greiner. Greiner says the officer was at the mall with his wife celebrating Valentine's Day two days early. He didn't release the officer's name. In Greiner's words, "Thank goodness he was there." On Monday evening, an Talovic Sulejmen, 18, of Salt Lake City opened fire on shoppers in a mall, killing five and wounding four others before police fatally shot him. He was armed with several rounds of ammunition...

O sweet Virgin Mary, O Mary our mother, You, with your yes so generous and bold, Shaking the earth to its foundation, like only one other, Mother Eve's fearsome no, so self-centered and cold. With the help of the Father, your Yes opened the door, through the workings of the Spirit, light entered the world The richest of gifts, through one humble and poor, Heaven reached out and its banner unfurled. Emmanuel, God with us, came down with that Yes, Entering this world as you welcomed him in, His light to transform, find the lost, and to bless, Then die...

Meditation on the Eucharist at Elevation O Light of Heaven come down to earth, come down in the guise of translucent white bread held in the hands of your priest, lovingly for all your children to see, those who believe, those who deny, but reality is what it is. If they could but see, My Jesus, the light cascading out, like a supernova pulsating with tidings of peace and hope and healing, see the angel host bowing down to the ground, flashing their wings in homage and love and overwhelming joy. O Lord, like a true lover you come to...

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, our nation has fought a global war against violent extremists who use terrorism as their weapon of choice, and who seek to destroy our free way of life. Our enemies seek weapons of mass destruction and, if they are successful, will likely attempt to use them in their conflict with free people everywhere. Currently, the struggle is centered in Iraq and Afghanistan, but we will need to be prepared and arranged to successfully defend our nation and its interests around the globe for years to come. DOD Our enemies include all the Muslims...

There is more to life than crafting, but it's a much poorer life without it!

I've seen this floating aroundand thought it a useful thing to ponder, or maybe it's just my obsession for taking personality quizes... [A is for apparitions - your favorite]: [B is for Bible - the one you read most often]: [C is for Charism - the one you would most like to have]: [D is for Doctor of the Church - your favorite]: [E is for Essential Prayer - What's yours?]: [F is for Favorite Hymn]: [G is for Gospel - your favorite author?]: [H is for Holy Communion - How would you describe it, using one word?]: [I is...

Live News Feeds MELDT News Section MELDT Blog Section ONLY at www.meldt.com Calendar for Dot Events Series Specific Photos Country FOCUS Research ONLY at www.meldt.com   This is a very unique Team Thread!  New Team Members are always welcome! Click on the News Links Below for "Ticker Headlines". Haaretz YNET JPOST Before posting on this Forum, please note that we recognize OPSEC Guidelines and the need to protect our Troops.  The latest OPSEC is by DoD Directive 5205.02, "DoD Operations Security (OPSEC) Program", 3/6/2006.  See links for more info. ***Note:  If you would like to be added to the...

Live News Feeds MELDT News Section MELDT Blog Section ONLY at www.meldt.com Calendar for Dot Events Series Specific Photos Country FOCUS Research ONLY at www.meldt.com   This is a very unique Team Thread!  New Team Members are always welcome! Click on the News Links Below for "Ticker Headlines". Haaretz YNET JPOST Before posting on this Forum, please note that we recognize OPSEC Guidelines and the need to protect our Troops.  The latest OPSEC is by DoD Directive 5205.02, "DoD Operations Security (OPSEC) Program", 3/6/2006.  See links for more info. ***Note:  If you would like to be added to the...

Gaudete! Gaudete! Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natusEx Maria virgine, gaudete! Tempus adest gratiaeHoc quod optibamus,Carmina laetitiaeDevote redamus. Deus homo factus estNatura mirante,Mundus renovatus estA Christo regnante. Ezechielis portaClausa pertransitur,Unde lux est ortaSalus invenitur. Ergo nostra cantio,Psallat iam in lustro;Benedicat Domino:Salus Regi nostro. Translating as : Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is bornOf the Virgin Mary, rejoice! It is now the time of graceThat we have desired;Let us devoutly returnSongs of rejoicing. God has become man,And nature marvels;The world has been renewedBy Christ who is King. The closed gate of EzechielHas been passed through;Hence the light risesSalvation is found. Therefore let our assemblyNow sing...

Italy's fashion industry and the government have pledged to abide by a voluntary code of conduct which aims to keep unhealthy models from the catwalk. According to the code, models must provide a medical certificate proving they do not suffer eating disorders. The code also bans the use of models aged under 16 and urges the use of larger-sized models. Italy's youth and sports minister said fashion's obsession with slimness created an extreme aesthetic. "Sixty percent of teenagers in our country would like to be skinnier that they are," said Giovanna Melandri. "There is a line between a thin girl...

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind makes moan, Earth stands hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow has fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, Then I to my computer go. Then I do my computer go, to Free Republic land, Electronically to take my stand, There to post thread on thread, thead on thread, Until some folks might wish me dead. O let us raise a cup of cheer in honor of this place Even though as days go by and we ne'er meet face to face, O Let me say to one and all, one and all,...

Live News Feeds MELDT News Section MELDT Blog Section ONLY at www.meldt.com Calendar for Dot Events Series Specific Photos Country FOCUS Research ONLY at www.meldt.com   This is a very unique Team Thread!  New Team Members are always welcome! ***Note:  If you would like to be added to the Ping list, please Freepmail me ! Before posting on this Forum, please note that we recognize OPSEC Guidelines and the need to protect our Troops.  The latest OPSEC is by DoD Directive 5205.02, "DoD Operations Security (OPSEC) Program", 3/6/2006.  See links for more info.

OK. Who's still crafting? What are you doing? Got any pictures?