Free Republic

Just over two years ago I responded to a tweet with "Kamala is a skank." Within minutes I received a notice that I was "suspended" for hate speech. The "suspension" turned into a permanent ban. A couple days ago I received an email from twitter stating that my account was restored. Funny thing is, the tweet that got me banned is still on twitter!

Crews have extinguished a fire that destroyed more than 70 vehicles outside Temple at a popular family attraction. "It looked like something out of a war zone," said John Bessick, a veteran who came to the pumpkin patch earlier and helped evacuate families. "Since I have PTSD, it's kind nerve-racking." Bessick said he and a friend were in their vehicle about to leave when they first noticed the fire — then vehicles started to explode. "We had a few babies and a few strollers trying to get out," Bessick said as he and his friend helped evacuate people trying to...

When is Violence the Answer? In my adult life (since 1983) I’ve heard so many people both in and out of government say, “Violence is not the answer.” Thus, my question is: WHEN is violence the answer? Violence WAS the answer when the British trampled on our rights which resulted in the Revolutionary War and our independence. It was the answer again when the British pressed Americans into service aboard their ships and resulted in the War of 1812. Violence was the answer when the Barbary States enslaved Americans. It was the answer when Santa Ana denied Texans their rights....

I saw a couple episodes of The Last Kingdom on Netflix at my daughter's house. No chance of seeing it at home as I have no television or cable. It was actually very good. I learned later that it was based on a series of books by Bernard Cornwell. It's about a Northrumbrian man who was captured as a child by Danes and raised by them. His lifelong goal is to retake his homeland from his uncle who usurped his title.

Many people have stated that secession is illegal and not allowed as determined by the American Civil War. But is it really? Throughout the history of the United States our government has supported the independence/secession of states/territories/colonies from various other nations. Haiti seceded from the French empire through a slave revolt. South Sudan broke from Sudan. Yugoslavia broke into several countries and later Kosovo seceded from Serbia. Czechoslovakia split into two countries. The Soviet split into quite a few countries. The UK left the European Union. And many others…. So why do people say secession is illegal in the United...

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - Texas Rangers are investigating after a Killeen officer shot and killed a man Sunday evening whom police described as “emotionally distressed.” The officer responded to what police said was a psychiatric call at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1600 block of Carrollton Avenue in Killeen. “Upon the officer’s arrival, he encountered an emotionally distressed man,” police spokeswoman Ofelia Miramontez said. “The officer initially used his conducted energy weapon, which was ineffective, and then discharged his duty weapon during the encounter, striking the subject,” Miramontez said.

Do any of our fellow Freepers play strategy board games? My brother taught me to play Alexander when I was 12 and I've been playing games ever since. I mostly like Avalon Hill Games but also have some by GMT and SPI. It's also possible to play these via email and online through various platforms.

Today I went into our local grocery store (HEB) without a mask. The young guy at the entrance asked me if I had a mask. I said, "No thank you" and kept walking. He just nodded his head and looked away. As I left the store I stopped to ask him what they were told to do in that situation. He said they were told to let the maskless person go in. He tried to tell me that it was a state law (which I educated him that it isn't). Then he tried to tell me it was a mandate...

BELL COUNTY, Texas (KWTX)—Bell County Judge David Blackburn issued orders Wednesday that direct all businesses to require the use of face coverings by employees, customers, contractors and vendors on premises where physical distancing isn’t possible and “strongly encourage” residents wear face coverings in public places “where it is difficult to maintain social distancing.” Any law enforcement agency can enforce the business directive, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and remains in effect at least through July 13. Violations may be reported by calling (254) 933-5203. Violators may be fined as much as $1,000.

Here's my prediction once again: Bernie has withdrawn as ordered by whoever paid him off. Biden will have some sort of "issue" that will prevent or deter the delegates from nominating him. They will feel compelled (by whom?) to call upon (or even beg) either Hildabeast or Mooch (or pick a dem favorite female)to come out of hiding to "save the day" for them. Or! Biden will choose his VP as directed by whomever and will be unable to fulfill his duties as President IF he were to win.

After hearing nonstop virus news I'd like to know if any of you personally know anyone with the corona virus? I do not.

Nancy Pelosi's brother was acquitted in the kidnapping/rape case while their father was mayor of Baltimore. 11 and 13 year old girls were repeatedly raped over a week in an apartment in Baltimore in 1953.

After more than a year of delays, Texas is officially kicking Planned Parenthood out of the state’s Medicaid program. In a move that could affect thousands of low-income women, state health officials on Tuesday delivered a final legal notice to defund the organization from the Medicaid program through which it provides family planning and women’s health services to the poor. Planned Parenthood had previously received $3.1 million in Medicaid funding, but those dollars will be nixed in 30 days, according to the notice which was obtained by The Texas Tribune. That cut-off day will only be delayed if the organization...

Dear Mr. (my name), Thank you for contacting me about FBI Director James Comey. I appreciate the opportunity to hear your thoughts. Like most of America, I was disgusted by the fact that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will face no charges for her reckless handling of highly sensitive classified information. As a result of her actions, the FBI could not confirm whether any of the sensitive US classified information was hacked by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea or another outside organization. This information confirms that at a minimum, she cannot be trusted with highly sensitive information. While the...

Terrifying moments were captured on surveillance video as three gunmen stormed into a market in southeast Houston. Around 7 p.m. Friday, three masked men dressed in black stormed the Todo Market in the 1500 block of Evergreen Drive near Hemlock, firing shots in the air. Customers hit the floor and the employees ran for a nearby office and locked the door. The gunmen kept firing, blasting holes in the door and trying to break down the door but they were not able to get in. "The guy with the assault rifle.... (his) bullet went inside the ground. I was laying...

What you see on the news from Turkey are protesters shouting anti-American and anti-Israel slogans, but what most are not seeing are the convoys headed towards the Incirlik base where U.S. Air Force is stationed to stage a massive rally against the U.S.: A convoy of massive numbers of vehicles headed towards Incirlik where US Air Force are stationed. It is not only demonstrators who are moving toward Incirlik Air Base in the southern Turkish city of Adana for anti-U.S. protests, but images circulating on Twitter on July 28 show convoys of Muslim Brotherhood supporters heading that way. The base...

Two hundred forty-one years ago, our nation's leaders established the Continental Army. Today, the Army is the strategic landpower of the joint force; called upon to prevent, shape, and win against our adversaries. The U.S. Army's 241st Birthday is June 14, 2016, a day we celebrate the Total Army Force comprised of multi-component Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians and their contributions to national defense. The American Soldier trains, deploys, engages, and destroys enemies of the United States in combat operations as the world's premier land force.

Since my last update things have soured once again. My wife was hospitalized for two weeks and was telling her shrink and counselor that we are going through a divorce. We weren’t at the time but we are now. She has been very adamant that she wants a divorce and I’ve given up on trying anymore. I realize that I will be free of the hellish life of worry and grief. Once again she states she has been seeing angels and demons, and inanimate objects being moved around by ghosts. I delayed filing the petition for divorce because I knew...

In the past I have posted regarding my wife's mental illness and the tough times we have endured because of it. Now I am devastated to tell you all that our 19 year old daughter took her own life on November 23rd. She was diagnosed as bi-polar and was very distraught over her best friend's suicide last year. I've never had to go through anything near this bad and I pray none of you ever do. The loss of one's child is beyond horrendous. So far we've been doing ok but there are periods of extreme grief out of the...

A large amount of scaffolding collapsed Friday outside a building under construction in Houston, causing “multiple injuries,” a city agency said. Video from the scene showed piles of metal lying on the ground outside a roughly seven-story building. The collapsed scaffolding appeared to cover a large section of a city block. Houston’s Office of Emergency Management reported the injures from the collapse, which happened near the corner of Crawford and Preston streets — an area not far from Minute Maid Park, the home of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros. People were urged to steer clear of the area so emergency...