Free Republic

Most experts and commentators are of the view that the worst of the US recession may be over by year's end. My own prediction is for an illusory recovery of government-constructed economic indicators, but nothing more than that. It is held by most experts that a recession is typically set in motion by various unpredictable shocks. For instance, it is argued that the present recession was triggered by the crisis in the real estate market. Since, as a rule, various shocks tend to weaken consumer demand, it is the role of the central bank and the government to replace this...

Sure, it’s early yet. Only the first day of February. Lots of time for someone to overtake her. But let’s recognize that Kirsten Gillibrand has taken the lead for the worst piece of political gobbledygook of this young year. As per the Associated Press, here’s what the newly-anointed senator from New York, billed as a “conservative” Democrat, had to say after emerging from a meeting with Latino leaders who had been peeved about her immigration policies: "We need to recognize the heritage that the immigrant community has provided to this country and put policies in place that will reflect that...

That’s right, you read the title to this piece correctly. I am admitting that I am a RINO. I admit it openly, freely, with relish even. For those unfamiliar, RINO is not only shorthand for rhinoceros, that great beast of the African plains, but it is also an acronym. It stands for, “Republican In Name Only” -- RINO. Now, I am not going to pull a fast one here and spell RINO out with other words. No, I’m happily sticking right with the words “Republican In Name Only.” So, there it is. I am a RINO. Some of you reading...

Pre-eminent Mormon scholar argues Romney's answer is not at all a contradictionPresidential candidate Mitt Romney says in a videotaped interview that he doesn't know that God has spoken to anyone since the time of Moses. The comment appears to conflict with his Mormon faith that believes God spoke to founder Joseph Smith and other church prophets subsequently. In the interview with Boston's WCVB, a reporter asks Romney several questions about his faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including how his faith would impact him if he is elected. "Should God speak to you, and ask you...

Now a group of astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered that billions of years before this mysterious antigravity overcame cosmic gravity and sent the galaxies scooting apart like muscle cars departing a tollbooth, it was already present in space, affecting the evolution of the cosmos... The new results, Dr. Riess and others said, provide new clues and place new limits on the nature of dark energy, a mystery that has thrown physics and cosmology into turmoil over the last decade... The data suggest that in fact dark energy has changed little, if at all, over the course of...

AN EPISCOBABBLE DICTIONARY (ABRIDGED) Ever had that feeling you just don't understand what's going on with the Episcopal Church these days? Well, you're not alone. Part of the problem is that the bishops and clergy of the ECUSA use their own language to communicate with each other. If you don't understand the terminology, you won't be able to follow what is happening. Accordingly, presented for the public's consideration and use is this abridged EpiscoBabble Dictionary, compiled in an effort to shine light on an often murky situation. Armed with this tool, the next speech or sermon of the Presiding Bishop...

A U.S. appeals panel sharply challenged the Bush administration Friday over new rules making it easier for police and the FBI to wiretap Internet phone calls. A judge said the government's courtroom arguments were "gobbledygook." The skepticism expressed so openly toward the administration's case encouraged civil liberties and education groups that argued that the U.S. is improperly applying telephone-era rules to a new generation of Internet services. "Your argument makes no sense," U.S. Circuit Judge Harry T. Edwards told the lawyer for the Federal Communications Commission, Jacob Lewis. "When you go back to the office, have a big chuckle. I'm...

It was my first show at Club Majestic and, as funny as it was, I could hardly wait for it be over. Based on what I've read, when the club doors opened, we'd all flood into King Street and start fighting. I had already marked my victims. Over there, that nice lady who won the "glow-in-the-dark rosary" looked like an easy mark. And the guy who won the hologram "St. Bernadette" holy card? If I cornered him out on King Street, I'd take the card and St. Bernadette would be seeing visions of Mary at my house. (Being a bad...

I am the odd loner in my community who enjoys hearing tales of our American founding fathers, our heroes and was always completely fascinated by the letter of Sullivan Ballou by the civil war, the human struggle for an ideal they, themselves perhaps know little of... I would not go into detail what promted me to write this, perhaps I needed a channel to spout out my intense discomfort after having to constantly listen to and deal with professors in my college and their utter hypocrisy. I Love this country, I love it personally. I love the people; I love...

COLUMBIA COLLEGE ADDRESS, Commencement June 1, 2003 Tony Kushner Thank you for this beautiful honor, and thank you for freeing me from the dark cave I've been sitting in all week; and by dark cave I mean a theater, I've been in the dark all week watching a director and designers and singers and crew try to put together an opera double bill for which I provided the English-language libretti.  Thank you for releasing me for the afternoon from that dark and anxiety-filled cavern of illusion and bidding me welcome to the bright daylight dazzle of your commencement, your impressive...