Free Republic

There was a poignant moment at the end of President Biden’s Oval Office address about the need for American aid to Ukraine and Israel. Biden shifted slightly in his chair, pointed with a finger for emphasis, and spoke about the historic role of America as the “essential nation” and the “beacon to the world.” Biden, who had just returned from Israel, believes that to the marrow of his bones. What made the moment poignant was a sense that he was pleading with the American people to believe it, too. Biden rhetorically asked, “Why does this matter to America?” and answered...

It appears the group Anonymous and their Antifa affiliates hacked ten years’ worth of data from fusion centers and police departments across the United States. The groups claim hundreds of thousands of law enforcement sensitive bulletins are in their hands. Under the code name #BlueLeaks, the group, commonly known as Anonymous and their self-claimed antifascist affiliates like Distributed Denial of Secrets known online as DDoSecrets leaked sensitive law enforcement data from federal, state and local law enforcement databases...

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also signed a bill protecting clergy visits for health care patients during states of emergency.PHOENIX (LifeSiteNews) – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law two bills that strengthen religious liberty protections in the Grand Canyon State, including by ensuring that churches can stay open in emergencies and allowing clergy to visit residents in health care facilities. Ducey on Monday approved HB 2507, a sweeping religious freedom bill that outlaws “discriminatory” government action against churches and other faith-based institutions due to religion, religious expression, or for seeking to operate in a state of emergency, such as a...

FRANKFORT, Kentucky (LifeSiteNews) – The Governor of Kentucky has signed legislation stating that churches are essential during declared states of emergency. Governor Andy Beshear signed the bill into law on April 5. The new law means that churches will stay open during any emergency situation, such as one resembling the lockdowns that were enacted due to the declared pandemic. The bill’s sponsor, Representative Shane Baker, was surprised that the bill was signed into law so swiftly considering that it was seen as a response to what were seen as heavy handed measures enacted by the governor during the lockdowns. Nevertheless,...

Researchers show that non-essential amino acids act as appetite suppressants and promote the urge to move. A protein-rich diet can help people lose weight. Researchers have now demonstrated a new mechanism by which the building blocks of proteins curb appetite. Specifically, it involves non-essential amino acids. Of the 21 amino acids our bodies require, there are nine they are unable to produce on their own. They are called essential amino acids. Because we must obtain these through our diet, they have long been the focus of nutrition research. The other 12 amino acids are considered non-essential. The body can produce...

White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci declared this week that data out of Israel shows a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is “absolutely essential” for all adults to fight the outgoing pandemic. “When you look at the data from Israel, it’s very clear that (the booster) reverses some of the waning effects that you see in people who have been vaccinated for six months or more,” Fauci told The Daily podcast. the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases added that the shots for vaccinated adults “are going to be an absolutely essential component of our...

Now you see why they had “essential and non essential” https://twitter.com/MelanieMusey/status/1423374938740826119

This means they can exceed capacity restrictions.. COLORADO SPRINGS — Worship leaders across the state are preparing to be able to do things a bit differently after a new public health order from the governor will allow places of worship to exceed mandated capacity limits. The order redefines worship services as essential, meaning they’re allowed to go over mandated capacity limits if they can’t perform their essential service without doing so. “I grew up in church and sensed that this is what I wanted to do,” said Vista Grande Baptist Church Pastor Chris Moore. “After college I felt that seminary...

West Palm Beach Florida Mayor Keith James declared a 72-hour State of Local Emergency on May 31, 2020, in response to riotous protests and the declaration includes a ban on gun and ammunition sales throughout the city. The declaration is published online begins by positing there “has been an act of violence or a flagrant and substantial defiance of, or resistance to, a lawful exercise of public authority.” It continues by maintaining there is further risk of acts of violence and/or defiance of authority, including “widespread disobedience of the law, and substantial injury to persons or to property; all of...

NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) — A jewelry store south of Muskegon has started offering select groceries as a way to be deemed essential and therefore stay open in case of a future shutdown. Owner Karl Krautheim says the shop, Krautheim & Swanson GemWorks on Harvey Street near E. Hile Road in Norton Shores, has been in his family for more than 130 years. “My great-grandfather started this jewelry business in Muskegon in 1887,” Krautheim said. “We’ve been there through the Spanish flu back in 1918, World War I, World War II, the Depression…” But the coronavirus pandemic could cause the...

USAID Head to UN Secretary General: Stop Peddling Abortion as COVID-19 Relief NEW YORK, May 18 (C-Fam) The head of the U.S. Agency for International Development told the UN Secretary General to stop treating abortion as “essential” humanitarian relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter is unprecedented in its direct criticism of the UN bureaucracy’s promotion of abortion as humanitarian aid.Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development John Barsa sent UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres a letter in which he corrected Guterres for “cynically placing the provision of ‘sexual and reproductive health services’ on the same level of...

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - May Day usually brings thousands of people to downtown Los Angeles for a march and protest for workers’ rights, but that won’t happen this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing. Instead, essential workers of large corporations that have become vital lifelines during the pandemic will walk off the job to demand better health and safety conditions, along with hazard pay, on International Worker’s Day, which is observed around the world on May 1. According to organizers, workers from Amazon, Whole Foods, Target and Instacart will call out sick or walk off the job...

Who the hell are these politicians to imperiously decide who’s “essential” and who’s not? Non-essential, they hiss, pointing a finger at you. Non-essential! If you’re non-essential, these tinpot dictators with their catastrophically wrong “models” tell you, stay home. Lose your job, your business, your life. What the hell do they care? You’ll take it and you’ll like it! Nicht wahr? As certain Germans used to say. Isn’t that so? Jawohl! They’ve got theirs, Jack. And it comes with State Police chauffeurs. They’re just trying to do the Reich, I mean right thing. At long last, finally, working people are starting...

A North Dallas salon owner says come Friday, she is opening for business. This, despite state and county orders in place ordering hair and nail salons along with barbershops to remain closed to in-person services. ‘Salon A La Mode’ on Belt Line Road is set to reopen Friday morning. **SNIP** Despite Dallas County and state orders, Luther is opting to open her salon of three years to the 19 tenants who rent space from her, if they would like to come in and work, and to willing clients. “We have some ladies that have been getting their hair done by...

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Hair stylists and cosmetologists are speaking out after a Facebook post that claimed Governor Kevin Stitt wasn’t following his own recommendations when it comes to their profession and COVID-19. According to a Facebook post from a hair stylist, Gov.Kevin Stitt had his hair and makeup done over the weekend. In the post, a woman said, “Wear your masks people! Even while doing makeup and hair for the Governor of Oklahoma.” “I find it’s a little bit hypocritical,” Dee Dean, a hair stylist with Tangles Salon, told KFOR.

Gov. Tim Walz is asking Minnesotans to continue to stay at home unless absolutely necessary in order to slow the spread of coronavirus in the state. The “stay-at-home” order - and his extension on Wednesday - is his most sweeping executive action to slow the spread of the virus and help hospitals prepare for more patients. But it’s far from a total lockdown of the state. What does Walz’s new order say? The governor is extending the stay-at-home order to May 4. Originally he asked Minnesotans to stay home except for essential needs and services from March 27 to April...

Disney executives are pushing back on the company's decision to temporarily cut their six-figure salaries just a day after 'non-essential' workers were told that they were being placed on furlough from April 19. The grumblings about their five to 20 percent pay cuts have been branded 'selfish and sad' as many lesser-paid employees face weeks and even months furloughed as the Disney parks remain closed until further notice amid the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, Walt Disney Co. Executive Chairman Bob Iger announced he will forgo his entire multi-million dollar salary and other top executives will take pay cuts after parks...

Gun Shop Store Sign The Trump administration, as part of the struggle to contain and slow the spread of the Wuhan Flu, has issued a list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers”. The list has come from the Department of Homeland Security. While the list is advisory, is not a directive, and has no penalties attached, it shows the thinking and priorities of the administration.Producers, distributors, and retailers of firearms and ammunition are considered essential. In the excerpt below, the highlighting has been added. From cisa.gov: DHS Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce 03-28-2020 There are many more categories listed...

KOKOMO, Ind. (WISH) — The Howard County commissioners on Friday approved a ban on the sale of nonessential goods from stores remaining open because they were deemed essential during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The commissioners’ order says the sale of nonessential goods at essential stores was “not fair” to the businesses selling only nonessential goods that have closed in compliance with the county’s public health emergency ordinance. The ban will begin at noon Saturday, the order says. Signs in the stores must notify shoppers of the ban. The nonessential goods include jewelry, furniture, home and lawn decor, toys/games, carpet/rugs/flooring, nonemergency...

Pennsylvania State Rep. Thomas Murt (R) is pushing a permit requirement for ammunition purchases throughout the state. His legislation — HB 2344 — has been referred to the PA’s House Judiciary Committee and is filed with the memo, “Addressing Gun Violence and Enhancing Public Health and Safety.” Page 21 of the 25-page bill sets forth details of Murt’s proposed “Ammunition Purchase Authorization Permits,” saying, “A person holding an ammunition purchase authorization permit issued under this section may purchase or otherwise seek the transfer of ownership of ammunition from a retailer that sells ammunition.” The proposed permits would be valid for...