Free Republic

Michelle Bachmann's new top consultant, Ed Rollins, began his tenure with scathing criticism of potential Bachmann rival Sarah Palin. "Sarah has not been serious over the last couple of years," Rollins told Brian Kilmeade on his radio show, Kilmeade and friends. "She got the Vice Presidential thing handed to her, she didn't go to work in the sense of trying to gain more substance, she gave up her governorship." He suggested that the contrast would favor Bachmann. "Michele Bachmann and others [have] worked hard, she has been a leader of the Tea Party which is a very important element here,...

Pop provocateur Lady Gaga has managed to outrage and insult many Catholics by leaking her new song, “Judas” just two days before the start of Holy Week. "It's always edgy and always (about) our religion," Bill Donohue, spokesperson for the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said about frequent pop culture attacks on the Church. "(And) all during Holy Week." In “Judas,” Lady Gaga sings about her love for Judas, the infamous apostle who betrayed Jesus. "Jesus in my virtue and Judas is the demon I cling to...I'm just a holy fool, oh baby he's so cruel, but I'm...

Chico Supporter Stirs Controversy, Calls Emanuel “Judas”UPDATED 2/16/11 7:32 p.m. CHICAGO (CBS) – A key supporter of mayoral candidate Gery Chico has raised some eyebrows by saying something about Rahm Emanuel that the Emanuel campaign called blatantly ugly. Jim Sweeney, head of of Operating Engineers Local 150, was endorsing Chico Tuesday night at a labor rally when he called Emanuel a “Wall Street Judas.” **SNIP** Emanuel’s campaign didn’t like any of it. In a statement Wednesday, Emanuel – who is Jewish – said “I have absolute confidence that the people of the city of Chicago will see this comment for...

A La Mesa karate instructor, out on bail while facing chargers of molesting a teenage boy, was back in court Thursday for a bail review. According to prosecutors, Eric Protas, 38, has been spending time on the Internet, posting comments to a Facebook page comparing himself to Jesus and his teen accuser to Judas. Protas is accused of sexually abusing a former student over a one-year period. Prosecutors allege that Protas had sexual contact with the victim 300 times in the past year and a half. Prosecutors asked the judge to increase bail based on the Facebook activity and comments...

When the governor's away, the lite gov will play ... the role of governor. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was wheels up for Asia yesterday, where he's spending six days promoting California's trade partnerships in China, Japan and South Korea. While Schwarzenegger is out of the country, Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado gets the job of acting governor. And act he will. Today, Maldonado will put his John Hancock on legislation providing school funding and a land agreement touted as a job creator.

Judas and Matthias Pope Benedict XVI The betrayer and his replacement teach us many life lessons, including to make sure that our own witness as followers of Jesus is clear and spotless At the General Audience on Wednesday, 18 October, the Holy Father continued to reflect on the Church's Apostolic Ministry for those gathered in St. Peter's Square by speaking of the Apostles Judas Iscariot and Matthias. The following is a translation of his Catechesis in Italian.Dear Brothers and Sisters,Today, concluding our walk through the portrait gallery of the Apostles called directly by Jesus during his earthly life, we...

Obtuse Rangel: Charlie seems to have forgotten his Sunday school lessonsSaturday, April 3rd 2010, 4:00 AM These are rough days for Rep. Charlie Rangel. He talks and some amazing things burst forth from his mouth. None of them more astonishing and hilarious than his great big oopsie Friday. There he was on Holy Thursday, the eve of the most solemn day of the Christian calendar, the day that marks the crucifixion of Christ after history's most notorious betrayal, that of Judas Iscariot. At a political rally, union big Chris Shelton branded Rep. Mike McMahon of Staten Island a "Judas" for...

(April 5) -- The U.S. Geological Survey is blaming day-to-day seismological changes for Sunday's 7.2 earthquake along the U.S.-Mexico border. But Deepak Chopra, the famed alternative-medicine practitioner and transcendental meditation guru, is pretty sure he knows what really happened. "Had a powerful meditation just now -- caused an earthquake in Southern California," Chopra wrote to his nearly 179,000 Twitter followers shortly after the quake. And then, to clarify: "Was meditating on Shiva mantra & earth began to shake," he tweeted. "Sorry about that."

I offer this message for sermon fodder for pastors as Holy Week is upon us, but also to all of the Body-of-Christ-at-large for their edification from this most unusual and surprising source: Judas. But does Judas have anything to teach us from Scripture? Do the thirty shekels and the insincere kiss of diabolical betrayal have any lessons from the Lord for the people of God? Open your Bibles and read on.The Judas According to the Gospels: A Maundy Thursday Message from Matthew 10.1-4; Matthew 26.6-16; John 12.4-6; Luke 22.1-6; Matthew 26.20-25; Mark 14.43-46 Michael A. Milton, Ph.D., President and The James...

As horrifying as it is to hear it and to speak it, the entire Christian world will once again witness the unfolding drama of the Passion during Holy Week. For many of us, this time will be one of sincere repentance and deep reflection. For some, it will be just another week marking the gentle return to spring. But for others, it will be the perfect time to deny, discredit and attempt to destroy the Truth.This last group consists of people who ally themselves with the forces marshaled by the Adversary himself. These are the ones who propagate the tradition...

This time last week, Representative Bart Stupak (D – Michigan) was the hero of social conservatives who were anxious to secure binding language banning federal funding of abortion in the health care legislation. Stupak’s resolve in the face of immense party pressure was commendable – a testament to his unwavering commitment to protecting the unborn despite the political risks. We at the Center for a Just Society shared in Rep. Stupak’s disappointment with those in his party who promoted federally-funded abortion as a means of cutting health care costs. Not surprisingly, Rep. Stupak’s 11th-hour change of heart and subsequent vote...

Thank you for your communication on health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on March 21, 2010. I was honored to witness the signing of this historic legislation by President Obama at the White House on March 23, 2010. My vote on health care reform was the most difficult vote I have cast during my 20 years as a state representative and a member of Congress. This legislation will affect every American. During my time in Congress, I have cast several very difficult votes, such as going...

Somewhere in Washington D.C., probably at about one in the morning, a man closed a door against the noise and sat down on his bed. From the haggard, miserable look he had worn the entire evening, I doubt that he was smiling at the darkness. In fact, as the silence closed around, the heavy and unfamiliar sense of being alone, perhaps he got his first suspicion of what the rest of his life is going to be. Only hours ago, the man was considered a veritable American hero. He was considered an honest representative of his people and a Defender...

Stupak tells us that he’s disappointed that Democratic leaders have offered him legislative favors in exchange for supporting Obamacare. “This shouldn’t be a bill where you use hush money,” says Stupak. “This isn’t an appropriations bill where you try to get the best projects for your state.” “In the House, we need to bring equity back into the process,” says Stupak. “We need to cut out those sweetheart deals.” If the deals in question are not removed, Stupak will vote against the bill. In the meantime, he says, “my reservations are growing.” “I’ve spoken with a half-dozen members in the...

For weeks we were told Michigan’s Bart Stupak was leading a group of pro life Democrats in resisting the certain federal taxpayer funding of abortion in Barack Obama’s health care scheme. For weeks we watched as the little band of men and women first held fast and presented an insurmountable obstacle to the process, then began to melt, then were reduced to half their original number and finally “reach a historic agreement” with Obama as they did yesterday. It was all show business. Stupak was merely playing Obama for whatever he could get. Rank and file pro life Democrats, you...

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced three airports in northern Michigan have received grants totaling $726,409 for airport maintenance and improvements. The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration. “This federal funding will help these airports better provide critical services to communities in northern Michigan,” Stupak said. “I am pleased the FAA has made this investment in our local airports and the individuals and businesses they serve.” Alpena County Regional Airport received a grant of $85,500 to acquire friction measuring equipment, specifically a decelermeter and tow vehicle, to replace equipment that has...

We can’t Bart Stupak go without a parting gift. Judas, after all, got 30 silver coins to sell out our Lord. Stupak needs something for selling out all the children sent off to be slaughtered thanks to his “compromise” that any President can pen away to oblivion — notwithstanding the questionable legal assumptions behind it. Let’s send him 100 silver coins. It’s only a $4.00 investment on your part. Order them and send them to: Congressman Bart Stupak (you’ll not want to use the word honorable) 1229 W. Washington St. Marquette, MI 49855 (906) 228 3700

Worth posting if only because one of the few things the left and right agree on today is that Obama’s executive order is essentially meaningless. Liberals, per dKos, David Corn, and Ezra Klein, think the Senate bill already does what Stupak wants it to do by maintaining the status quo on abortion funding, which means the EO is gratuitous. Pence thinks the Senate bill is a sharp break from the status quo, but since an EO is flimsy to begin with and an EO on this subject from someone as adamantly pro-choice as The One is even flimsier, it’s not...

MOUNT CLEMENS – Some people still take off right after Communion at St. Peter Church, but not as many now that they have to walk under signs that read "Judas left early too." Fr. Cooney says putting the signs up at each of the three exits was "a bit of Irish diplomacy" aimed at addressing a long-standing source of frustration for many Catholic priests: people who leave Mass early, rather than staying for the dismissal. Perhaps one of the reasons the signs had a positive effect is that he introduced them with humor, rather than scolding the congregation, he believes....

Former US President Jimmy Carter is asking for forgiveness of the Jewish community for forgiveness for any stigma he may have caused Israel. “…..I have the hope and a prayer that the State of Israel will flourish as a Jewish state within secure and recognized borders in peaceful co-existence with its neighbors and with all the Moslem States, and that this peaceful co-existence will bring security, prosperity and happiness to the people of Israel and to the people of the Middle East of all faiths. “We must recognize Israel’s achievements under difficult circumstances, even as we strive in a positive...