Free Republic

I am a 35 year-old, life-long Republican, up until a year ago when I registered as an Independent. Without getting into details, I was tired of the games Republicans were playing and not sticking to their convictions. The line between Democrat and Republican was blurred, and to be honest, I'd had it with both sides of the aisle. I have been following the developments of the 2006 election and hear the glee in the media's voice as they tout the poll numbers showing a Democrat victory on Tuesday. They can't contain themselves, wanting to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. But a...

What goes through a man's mind as he is forced to kneel, hands bound and blindfolded while a group of terrorists stand behind him? Terrorists he has never met nor harmed, but who have targeted him for no other reason than being an American worker in Iraq. What would go through your mind as you hear one of your captors screech out a diatribe in Arabic over your shoulder, not knowing what he is saying, but certainly understanding the anger and defiance in his tone? You simply understand that you are going to die for no other crime than being...

Disrespect of Marriage Nothing New In Modern AmericaWhy is anyone surprised that the city of San Francisco has decided to offer wedded bliss to the gay community in California, and elsewhere for that matter? For decades now, the once grand institution of marriage has been systematically chopped down by a vocal minority, hell bent on implementing its agenda, no matter what the cost. The feminist movement has told women that they do not need to live under the oppressive rule of a man. Now, over the years, many men did become tyrants in their own homes (a “master of my...

The answer to whether reparations should be offered to descendants of slaves in America is quite simple…No! Put simply, if their ancestors had not been slaves, then those clamoring for reparations would never have been born! They want money for being given the gift of life. Sounds very cut and dry to me!

I have been reading with great interest Freepers’ comments about amnesty for illegal immigrants, as this is an issue I have wrestled with for some time now. As a Christian, I believe it is our duty to help and assist as many people as we can. With illegals, you have a group of people (in many circumstances) who are trying to better themselves and the life of their family. On the flip side, it puts an inordinate amount of stress on US state and national resources, i.e. education and medical to name a couple. So I pose this question to...

The Supreme Court ruled there cannot be a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. this Christmas. This isn't for any religious or constitutional reason; they simply have not been able to find three wise men and a virgin in the nation's capitol. There was no problem, however, finding enough asses to fill the stable.

Is anyone else finding the Internet to be extremely slow at times over the last couple of days. Yesterday around 4:00 PM pacific, and then again today at about 2:45 PM pacific, nothing would load and I was told the page did not exist. This was true for every site I attempted to load. Then all of a sudden, things were working normally again. I have not had this problem in the past. Probably just a little paranoid based on the "communication" threat from AQ.

The Pope is visiting DC and President Bush takes him out for an afternoon on the Potomac...sailing on the presidential yacht. They're admiring the sights when, all of a sudden, the Pope's hat (zucchetto) blows off his head and out into the water. Secret service guys start to launch a boat, but Bush waves them off, saying "Wait, wait. I'll take care of this. Don't worry." Bush then steps off the yacht onto the surface of the water and walks out to the Pope's little hat, bends over and picks it up, then walks back to the yacht and climbs...

For those of us looking at both Arnold and McClintock (practical vs. principle), I offer the following observations… - Democrats are masters of incrementalism, where Republicans (often based on principle) want the whole ball of wax. - Over the past 20 years, California has swung dramatically to the left based on the Democrats continuing to implement their Chinese water torcher of liberal socialization. - Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state, so division among party ranks is more damaging to Republicans. - Is it better to lose everything and stand up for what you believe in or to compromise and live...

Seventy-eight (78) days...Clinton bombed Kosovo for 78 days. Do these people complaining of the war strategy truly comprehend we've been there for only 10 days. There are way too many armchair generals with teleprompters. It's like watching a football game (pathetic). The action has slowed down, so negativity and anxiety will keep an ratings up (especially now that the news channels have all gone back to commercials - economics). People need to shut their mouths and let the military do its job. When WMD's are found, all these people must be reminded oftheir stupidity.

Within the next few weeks, it is quite likely that the United States will be at war with Iraq, forcibly disarming Saddam Hussein and his regime. And unlike Gulf War I, our men and women of the armed forces will be marching straight into the belly of the beast…Baghdad. President Bush and his administration, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, have laid out a credible case about why we must go to war; yet many, including Hollywood celebrities and the French, say war is not necessary and that Iraq must be given more time to comply (as if 12 years...

Over the past few weeks, pop superstar Michael Jackson has been taken to task in interviews that examined his life and relationship with children - stemming from pedophilia allegations in the early 1990's. Over the same time period as the Jackson assault, convicted pedophile and fugitive Roman Polanski was nominated for the Best Director Oscar for his work on The Pianist. See any problems here? Both of these men are modern day artists who have had a significant impact on their fields of music and film respectively. Additionally, each of them suffered traumatic experiences as children, and in Polanski's case,...

I have to admit that I was one of those on the fence regarding Westefield’s guilt or innocence, and it wasn’t necessarily because of the evidence presented. You see, I have become jaded over the years by the media, and when I saw a public lynching taking place during the first few days of the investigation, the red lights automatically went off. From anonymous sources to the Van Dam’s life-style and PR firm, people were spinning their webs to influence public opinion. This bothered me then, and it bothers me now. This trying of people in the media , whether...

On Wednesday, one year will have passed since the horrific attack on New York and Washington, D.C. September 11, 2002 represents a unique watershed date for the American Spirit. Network television will provide wall-to-wall coverage, replaying the events of the day the towers fell. Does it help us heal to relive that day? I for one shall never forget it. But is it better to reflect for a moment and continue to live, or should we become consumed by the emotional assault that the media has prepared for us? Does the emotion of the day serve a higher purpose, or...

DO NOT FORGET" I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List," asked myself, "Why didn't the Jews fight back?" Now I know why. I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, "Why weren't we prepared?" Now I know why. Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people. On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors. On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too...

SACRAMENTO -- Republican candidate for governor Bill Simon acknowledged Monday that he accepted a contribution from the chairman of Metabolife, even as he accused Gov. Gray Davis of endangering Californians' health in return for campaign cash from the company. He accused Davis of "putting people's health and lives at risk" by vetoing a bill two years ago that would have put warning labels on products such as the dietary supplement now under investigation by the federal government. Davis should return the $150,000 he took from Metabolife International before making that decision, Simon said.

SAND DIEGO, CA -- August 13, 2002 -- At approximately 8:45 AM this morning (PDT), two slices from a Thomas’ English Muffin entered the toaster and have yet to emerge. Onlookers, camped around the toaster on the west side of the kitchen, have been waiting impatiently, casting insults at this valiant duo. "I can’t believe it’s taking this long," said Mrs. Margarine. "This is an open and shut procedure that should be completed in just a few minutes." "I guess English muffins can be just as thick as broccoli stocks," declared Berry Jelly, a sweet preserve for the past six...

At the NTSB press conference, they just stated that both engines appear to be intact and that there are no signs of engine failure, according to George Black, NTSB Boardmember.

Rising from the smoldering ashes of the World Trade Center and Pentagon, more Americans have turned to baseball’s playoffs this year than last, possibly searching for the simplicity of a game that has served to pass time for generations of Americans during some of the most trying times our Nation has known. As a child I remember my grandfather sharing his stories of growing up in New York City during the depression. His experience of following baseball immortals like Ruth, Gherig and DiMaggio served to help a poor school kid find hope in something when that evening’s meal was anything ...

Playing with my children (5 & 3) last night, the innocence of childhood took on new meaning with all that has happened over the past 6 to 7 weeks. It is our job as parents to ensure that our children are safe, all the while preserving the innocence and magic of childhood. Therefore, we will be trick or treating this year, and possibly exchange the candy for some we bought when they’re not looking (haven’t decided yet).Bottom line: these terrorists will not steal my chidren’s childhood by replacing fear with joy. Happy Halloween!!!