Free Republic

The controversy over the Obama administration’s contraception mandate is at a boiling point, as many Catholic leaders continue to view the president’s so-called “accommodation” as a failure to protect religious liberty. Now, Glenn Beck is coming forward with a new movement called “We Are All Catholics Now.” The main goal of the initiative is to ask Americans to reach out to Congressional leaders (at the moment, Senators) to encourage the passage of legislation that would protect religious groups’ conscience rights. Watch Beck discuss the effort on his radio show this morning: The main push, Beck says, is to support the...

President Obama firmly placed one foot into a political quagmire by supporting Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ decision to renege on the “conscience exception” to Obamacare. This allowed religious organizations to opt out of providing health care coverage for contraception and sterilization. Sebelius’ decision placed Catholic employers squarely on the horns of a dilemma. They could either violate their religious beliefs or pay a huge fine to HHS. When the president offered a compromise in response to mounting public outcry, instead of backing away from the controversy, he planted his other foot into the muck.

Urgent calls are needed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) and your two U.S. senators to urge them to support Amendment No. 1520 by Senator Roy Blunt (MO). This amendment would halt the Obama Administration’s new mandate requiring all employers—including religious employers—to violate their consciences and provide free birth control and abortion-inducing drugs to their employees. Action Requested Please do three things: Call Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (NV) and urge him to allow the Senate to vote on Amendment No. 1520, the Blunt Amendment. You can reach Majority Leader Reid at 202-224-3542. Call your two U.S. senators and...

While combat drones are not allowed in the U.S. airspace without a special certificate from the FAA, the military is in a fix over the 7, 500 military drones deployed overseas, that need to be recalled home.... After returning home, the robotic aircraft would be stationed in military bases around the nation for use in emergencies... Last week, Congress approved legislation requiring the FAA to create a plan for wide-scale integration of drones in the national airspace by 2015.

America the Controlled In early January 2012 the big news was SOPA; the Stop Online Piracy Act. It gave the government the right to shut down the internet as it saw fit. It took the element of control, responsibility and freedom away from private citizenry and put it in the hands of an elite few who called their shots by opinion rather than the terms of law. Later in January came NDAA “The National Defense Authorization Act” which included indefinite incarnation of Americans at the behest of the Federal Government- without formal charges. Late January saw an effort to bail...

From a self-described “left-leaning Catholic writer,” the Washington Post’s associate editor political writer Melinda Henneberger, this is what passes for a defense of faith against the HHS mandate. In an MSNBC interview, Ms. Henneberger told Chris Matthews: “Maybe the founders were wrong to guarantee free exercise of religion in the First Amendment, but that is what they did and I don’t think we have to choose here.”*Emphasis Mine*

Russia's young people are growing up with more freedom than ever. Twenty years after the end of communism, the first post-Soviet generation is transforming the country -- whether the once and future president likes it or not.It's just before dawn at the Kremlin, and Marat Dupri is about to climb a monument to Czar Peter the Great. The 20-year-old with brown, curly hair is wearing a green, plaid jacket and blue gloves to fight the icy wind. He is standing on the bank of the Moskva River, facing the 98-meter (321-foot) colossus of dark, gray steel. Marat and his three...

C. S. Lewis, my favorite all time author, wrote of many things. He saw humanity for what it is, especially in light of humanity's creator and moral author. One of his observations regards the tyranny a government can be on its people, when they engage in the business of humanitarianism. Here he speaks of the tyranny of the nanny state... "Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his...

It’s ironic that it is Barack Obama now ramming a contraception policy down Catholics’ and other Americans’ throats. Little more than a month ago, former Clinton operative George Stephanopoulos spent 10 minutes in a Republican debate grilling presidential contenders Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney on, of all things, contraception. What inspired the bizarre questions? First, Santorum is a practicing Catholic who doesn’t believe in the use of artificial birth control. Second, responding to a query from ABC’s Jake Tapper about a week prior to the debate, Santorum reiterated a constitutional fact: States have a right to ban contraception should they...

What a sad state of affairs. Well, what do you expect? When schools don’t teach history or government and focus on community organizing this is what you get… An ignorant population of leftists ready to hand control of their lives over to some dictator-wannabe. 39% of American voters believe it’s OK for Obama to trample on religious freedom. Rasmussen reported: Half of voters do not agree with the Obama administration’s action forcing Catholic institutions to pay for birth control measures that they morally oppose. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the...

“Darn tooting.” Back in October when the HHS contraception/abortifacient/sterilization mandate issue was more under the radar than it is now (the announcement on January 20 was far from the first communication about it from the administration), President Obama bragged about it during a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Chicago. From the White House transcript: And to make sure that those laws are upheld, we appointed two brilliant women to the Supreme Court. (Applause.) We repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” so that every single American can serve their country, regardless of who they love. (Applause.) And, yes

I believe that our right to religious freedom is now being censored. Each day as I write this message, I wonder if it will be my last. For those of you who “pooh pooh” that, and think it is a gross exaggeration, think again.

Look! Up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s … a drone, and it’s watching you. That’s what privacy advocates fear from a bill Congress passed this week to make it easier for the government to fly unmanned spy planes in U.S. airspace. The FAA Reauthorization Act, which President Obama is expected to sign, also orders the Federal Aviation Administration to develop regulations for the testing and licensing of commercial drones by 2015.

HE digital tsunami that swept over the Capitol last month, forcing Congress to set aside legislation to combat the online piracy of American music, movies, books and other creative works, raised questions about how the democratic process functions in the digital age. Policy makers had recognized a constitutional (and economic) imperative to protect American property from theft, to shield consumers from counterfeit products and fraud, and to combat foreign criminals who exploit technology to steal American ingenuity and jobs. They knew that music sales in the United States are less than half of what they were in 1999, when the...

Can the combat-hardened OWS shock troops from the bankrupt Obamanation Universities defeat the Mighty Catholic Crusaders in the Spring of 2012? The battle lines are being quickly drawn in a frontal assault on the Robo-Built Fortress Walls of the Un-Constitutional Obama"care" that protects the despised, and cancerous Obamanation. Even now Bolshevik Chairman Obama has dictated that all US Military Chaplins be muzzled, and public discussion terminated as the distant sound of Cyber Bugles wafts through the despised Ditrict of Corruption. At 1600 Entitlement Plantation Avenue, only the token dog is not worried. Yeah, you guessed it, he is a Portuguese...

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's interview to an Egyptian televison network the other day gave us a rare insight into why America is has so quickly gone down the road of self-destruction - judicial tyranny, plain and simple.

I thought it was worth spreading around.

Two of the top news stories this past week have revolved around reproductive rights, though both raise far more troubling issues than a woman's right to contraception or abortion. The more compelling questions concern a person's or an institution's freedom of conscience and the right to act upon one's moral beliefs without fear of intimidation and/or government coercion. Both cases -- one involving the Catholic Church and the other, Susan G. Komen for the Cure -- deal with the ongoing conflict between the pro-life and pro-choice camps. And both are exposing the dangerous extent to which some pro-choice advocates, including...

For the past two weeks, Big Labor bosses around the country have had their eyes on the Indiana capitol — watching in horror as the General Assembly passed a right-to-work bill with commanding majorities. The passage of Indiana's right-to-work law is an extraordinarily bitter defeat for the union brass. Less than a year ago, despite the fact that Hoosiers had elected substantial pro-right-to-work majorities to both chambers in 2010, union strategists remained confident they could preserve the forced-unionism status quo.

Dear Mr. President, I am fully aware that these are days in which the federal government is — for all practical purposes — unlimited in its power. As it stands, you — sir — can detain any American citizen without due process simply because you suspect him of being a terrorist, you have magically managed to become the Chairman of the UN Security Council without the approval of Congress — despite that awkward Article 1.9 of the Constitution — and you — along with the FCC — seem to think the Internet is thine to regulate. Now I’m sure this...

BOTTINEAU It wouldn't be surprising if Jonathan Bartlett bleeds red, white and blue. The Bottineau resident has a deepening appreciation for this nation's founding fathers and early citizens and citizen soldiers. A few years ago, Bartlett was introduced to Project Appleseed, a combination heritage and marksmanship program conducted by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. He was so captured by the experience that he continues to rise through the ranks of RWVA. "It was inspiring. It motivated me to be involved," said Bartlett. "Something really connected with the shooting aspect and the history of our founding. Our founders inspired our free...

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." --The First Amendment Constitution of the United States The words are old, the First Amendment having been adopted in 1791 along with the rest of the Bill of Rights. But even today, whenever they're read, the effect is the same. The heart beats just a little faster. There is a majesty about those words, not...

One of Barack Obama's great attractions as a presidential candidate was his sensitivity to the feelings and intellectual concerns of religious believers. That is why it is so remarkable that he utterly botched the admittedly difficult question of how contraceptive services should be treated under the new health care law.

Hillsdale College will host an online town hall entitled, “Our Choice Today: Bureaucratic Despotism or the Constitution,” on Saturday, January 28, 2012, beginning at 11 a.m. EST. It will be broadcast from the College’s Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship in Washington, D.C., and can be viewed for free at constitutiontownhall.com. The purpose of the town hall, according to Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn, is “to make clear to Americans that they still have a choice how they will be governed—that the powerful federal bureaucracy which stifles freedom is of relatively recent construction, and remains for now capable...

The recent NDAA Bill has been decried as an act of governmental tyranny. This is true, but the implications are much more than just a mere overstep. It is, in reality, a further step in the direction of decilivization. The word “collectivist” is sadly absent from the popular language of politics. Collectivism, in short, composes the political viewpoints that are focused on the collective, or the whole. This is starkly opposed to individualism, which is focused on the individual. Some of the political philosophies that are considered collectivist are Communism (and its various varieties), socialism, modern liberalism, and anarcho-syndicalism. The...

As you may know, TTAG commentator Greg responded to a Valentine’s Day Starbucks boycott by the National Gun Victims Action Council by organizing a BUYcott. He’s asking gun owners to reward Starbucks for its letter-of-the-law firearms policy by buying a beverage or food item with a two dollar bill (a suggestion made by NukemJim, the bill representing the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms) on the 14th of Feb. Not forgetting to “thank the clerk for Starbucks’ support of the Constitution.” Ahead of Starbuck’s Appreciation Day–which has already well and truly gone viral—our own Tim Tritt contacted the...

Hillsdale College will host an online town hall entitled, “Our Choice Today: Bureaucratic Despotism or the Constitution,” on Saturday, January 28, 2012, beginning at 11 a.m. EST. It will be broadcast from the College’s Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship in Washington, D.C., and can be viewed for free at constitutiontownhall.com. The purpose of the town hall, according to Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn, is “to make clear to Americans that they still have a choice how they will be governed—that the powerful federal bureaucracy which stifles freedom is of relatively recent construction, and remains for now capable...

In a case that stemmed from an investigation by D.C. police and the FBI of a local drug dealer, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that police across the country need a warrant if they want to track suspects using GPS monitors. In the ruling, which was written by Justice Antonin Scalia, the court found that even though the case involved a GPS unit that was attached to a car that was out in the open, it still constituted a "search" under the language of the Fourth Amendment: It is important to be clear about what occurred in this...

Yes, that was deceitful, but i really DO need a title -- I'm no good at that. My boring choice was, "How Does The General Election Relate To Texas History and a "Last Stand?" :)This isn't about Rick Perry, btw. It's about you and me and our future as a Constitutional Republic. Rick Perry -- in an act of courage, conviction, and wisdom -- has stepped aside and endorsed someone whom he thinks can lead our charge. For that, I am thankful. Even if you disagree with his endorsement, you probably understand that nothing is more important than stopping the...

Here's a question: how can we expect to have small government if we condemn Congress for not growing it? It's always a disturbing experience when you're accosted with a picture of Harry Reid, as I was upon logging on to Drudge Monday afternoon. But at least his image bore a fitting caption: "MOST FUTILE EVER." I then clicked the link and found myself at The Washington Times - normally a quite sane organ of the media - and learned the meaning of the caption: the Times was lamenting a do-nothing Congress and presented Reid as its poster boy. Writes the...

What does a bill like PIPA/SOPA mean to our shareable world? At the TED offices, Clay Shirky delivers a proper manifesto -- a call to defend our freedom to create, discuss, link and share, rather than passively consume.

So who should get the Republican nomination? Should it go to the most “electable”? Should we follow Gallup’s poll on candidates’ “acceptability”? Mitt Romney wins these metrics hands down. But don’t take the easy way out. Romney is eminently acceptable because there’s nothing there to hate. But there’s also little there to love — nothing to inspire other than his personal qualities. But, as we’ve seen, those don’t endure.

For all the talk from some that SOPA was "dead," it appears it's alive and well and getting ready for its big re-entrance. Lamar Smith has just sent out a press release saying that he intends to resume the markup in February...

http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=8642

Despite the bravado exhibited by the GOP presidential candidates—each angling to outdo the other when promising to enter the White House with guns ablazin’ for the Affordable Care Act—their rhetoric is fraught with some very real dangers to their party—not to mention the nation—when it comes to actually pulling the trigger.

Video at Link

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum says government has gotten too big and people too small and what is at stake in this election is liberty for everyone

Wednesday the United States Supreme Court delivered a knockout blow to the White House in the cause of religious liberty. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for a unanimous court swatted away the government’s claim that the Lutheran Church did not have the right to fire a “minister of religion” who, after six years of Lutheran religious training had been commissioned as a minister, upon election by her congregation. The fired minister -- who also taught secular subjects -- claimed discrimination in employment. The Obama administration, always looking for opportunities to undermine the bedrock of First Amendment religious liberty, eagerly agreed....

Good news! On economic freedom, America is in the global Top 10. Bad news: America is No. 10 — one blond hair ahead of Denmark. According to the 18th annual Index of Economic Freedom, released Thursday by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal, Hong Kong enjoys the earth’s freest economy. The Chinese Special Administrative Region invariably has topped this list since it began in 1995. No. 2 Singapore leads Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Canada, Chile, Mauritius, and Ireland. Agnostic on political freedom, the Index evaluates fiscal discipline, taxes, regulations, monetary policy, rule of law, corruption, and other measures...

Would privacy and freedom sell well as products and selling points. For example, cell phones and computers with built in privacy and no ability to be tracked. Cars that have no tracking computers in them. Developments without the constant tracking of cams. Would it sell or would it be seen as a non-starter? Companies that can get your house or propterty off of MAPS I know some Eurpoean countries have demanded MAP privacy for their people, so I think it can be done. But would we want it?

PETERBOROUGH – Cindy Ginn, possibly the most persistent Appleseeder of all time, recently earned her rifleman patch. Overcoming equipment and ammunition problems that have plagued her for no less than nine Appleseed events, Ginn bounced up an amazing 17 points to score 219 on the last Army Qualification Target of the event. When the AQT was scored, the crowd went wild. There were hugs and tears in abundance. The emotion was palpable. The Appleseed Project, a charitable organization, holds events all over the country that teach Revolutionary War history and rifle marksmanship. Participants who score 210 or better earn a...

Following close on the heels of Congress’ passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which has been said to be the death of the Bill of Rights carried out conspicuously on Bill of Rights Day, December 15, 2011, we now learn that the “Obama Administration Reportedly Plans to Create Internet ID for All Americans.” We know that analysts of the NDAA have warned that it will allow the “indefinite” detention of American citizens, without charges and without trial,” but a lesser-known provision calls for “Military Activities in Cyberspace.” Section 954 of the NDAA, entitled "Military Activities in Cyberspace," states:...

  A Woman of Valor, Sarah McKinley David C. Stolinsky Jan. 8, 2012 A woman of valor who can find? For her worth is far above rubies. – Proverbs 31:10 I knew that I was going to have to choose him or my son, and it wasn’t going to be my son, so I did what I had to do. There’s nothing more dangerous than a mother with a child. − Sarah McKinley When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.− Clint Smith Eighteen-year-old Sarah McKinley was home with her three-month-old son on New Year’s Eve. She lived...

A Critical Issue to Be Watchful of And Active About in this New YearBy: Msgr. Charles Pope It is the first day, back to work for many of us after some delightful holy days, where we have been able to reflect on eternal and heavenly realities.And in this New Year we are going to have many blessings but also some important challenges. Among the challenges we will continue to face and must battle are significant and persistent threats to religious liberty. These issues affect not only Catholics, but people of many religious background. However, the Catholic Church is particularly...

At the risk of sounding overly optimistic, it would seem that the last several years have added much needed momentum to the efforts to restore the Second Amendment. (Some folks would use the phrase "preserve the Second Amendment", but we need to actually save it, restore it, before we can then preserve it in the true moral and pragmatic form in which it was originally rendered.) Every cloud has a silver lining. Good can actually, on rare occasion, come from bad. Let’s examine some "silver lining" issues regarding our guns first. The election of Barack Hussein Obama represented such an...

The answer to the question of what makes America great is one upon which reasonable minds can differ. That notwithstanding, Noman imagines that many would answer it with a single word: freedom. What freedom means also varies depending on context, for instance political, moral, or of movement. In the political context, many have found Louis Brandeis's definition of privacy apt: the right to be let alone. Within bounds, we are free to pursue our own lights, make our own ways, and reap what we sow. While others may admonish, they may neither interfere nor impose. Sexual revolutionaries made use of...

Friday January 6, 2012 will mark the 600th anniversary of the birth of Saint Joan of Arc who was one of the greatest patriots and freedom fighters to ever live.

For a couple of months now I have been watching with dread the progress of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA). The legislation is, as usual, an extremely long, wordy piece of government legalese that takes careful reading to even get an idea of what it contains as the law of the land. The legislation has 565 pages that would take quite a long time to read and decipher. The two specific sections which have caused great alarm across our nation and across the political spectrum from left to right are those that deal with U.S. military detention...

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- Recent statistics released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) report that for nineteen straight months, and that includes all of 2011, American men & women bought over 10,800,000 plus firearms. This number based on the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System, better know as NICS, and is the adjusted NICS data derived by the NSSF research division subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks used by several states such as Kentucky, Iowa and Utah for carrying concealed weapon (CCW) permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. The final number, of...