Free Republic

LOL. "That one." That was accurate. Who are these people on CBS? LOL. The bearded guy speaking right now sounds drunk.

High School's Ban of American Flags Has Students Outraged Oct 1, 2008 By Jeff Gatlin San Benito High School students Jared Ballinger, left, and Abraham Enriquez were told they could not fly the flag on campus. Photo by: Nick Lovejoy, The Free Lance HOLLISTER, CA San Benito High School senior Jared Ballinger, who has completed basic training in the Army Reserve's Alternate Training Program and is set to finish advanced training after graduation, was driving around the campus parking lot this week with an American flag flying from the back of his truck when a school counselor flagged him down....

YouTube, the universally recognized forum for videos of all types, now has videos that make it a stage for acts of blasphemy. The American TFP and its America Needs Fatima campaign are protesting these videos showing desecration of hosts online. The videos in question involve an individual who has put up forty videos on YouTube showing Consecrated Hosts being stepped on, burned,

Respect is the Cornerstone of Democracy September 22, 2008 Andrew Sullivan is up to his old tricks. This time he attempts cast himself into the role of moralist, warning us about the dangers of Sarah Palin. It's amusing that Sullivan has cast himself into this new role. Especially considering he got caught advertising for bareback (without condoms) partners after learning that he was infected with HIV. Yeah Dope Pope Sullivan, we should really be listening to you for moral advice. The End-Times And Sarah Palin Yes, she believes in them. Of course she believes in them. Her former pastor believes...

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Army wants every Iraqi Soldier to receive ethics training just like he receives marksmanship or drill and ceremony training. Since 2003, the primary focus for the Iraqi Army has been building the force. Getting Soldiers trained to fight took precedence over many other military functions. Iraqis came from all locations and all walks of life to join the fight to secure their country from terrorists. Every one of those Soldiers brought a unique set of values with him: personal values, family values, community values and religious values. Creating a culture of ethical behavior means that each...

WASHINGTON (AP) - "What does Hillary want?" the vanquished Democrat asked. The vice presidency. "What does she want?" Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton repeated. A prime-time speaking role at the Democratic National Convention. "I want to hear from you," she told cheering supporters on the night her campaign ended. "Go to hillaryclinton.com ... ." What does Hillary want? The former first lady wants campaign donations to forgive her debt. And she will press her case for relevancy at the risk of widening the divide between Barack Obama's supporters and her older, whiter, working-class coalition. "This has been a long campaign, and...

MOSUL, Iraq, June 3, 2008 – The residents of Yarimjah, a neighborhood in southern Mosul, were apprehensive when Iraqi National Police officers arrived at 4 a.m. May 24. They had heard many rumors about the national police from neighbors and television. Iraqi National Police Col. Fasial Majed Muhsen listens to concerns of a villager during security operations in Yarimjah, Iraq. Iraqi National Police photo by Lt. Col. Mohammed  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. What the neighborhood residents experienced was unexpected. The 2nd Battalion, 6th National Police Brigade, under the command of Col. Fasial Majed Muhsen, moved into the...

   International Respect for Chickens Day, May 4, celebrates the devotion of hens to their chicks and deplores the suffering of motherless chickens on factory farms. In this photo, Ruby fosters Ivy, a chick rescued from a factory farm in North Carolina to live in a safe and loving home. (PRNewsFoto/United Poultry Concerns)MACHIPONGO, VA UNITED STATES May is International Respect for Chickens Month MACHIPONGO, Va., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- InternationalRespect for Chickens Day, May 4, celebrates the dignity, beauty and life ofchickens and protests against the bleakness of their lives in farmingoperations. Launched by United Poultry Concerns in 2005,...

Jeanne Assam, the security guard who gunned down a gunman as he terrorized worshippers after the Sunday service at New Life Church, talks about the shooting at the church in Colorado Springs, Colo., during a news conference on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Two women died from the shooting at the church, which was one of two church shootings in Colorado on Sunday. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski

My wife, daughter and I were shopping in Lowe's last Sunday. As we were looking at merchandise, a small cute little red-headed boy about 4 or 5 years of age came by with his mother. I was wearing my black jacket which is adorned with my VFW emblem and my American Legion patch. It also has the small American flag as a shoulder patch. I proudly wear them as a World War II vet having served in the South Pacific. The small boy kept staring at me, then reached and caressed the flag on my shoulder, then backed up a...

CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2007 — There is an unofficial rule for Marines that says to always leave a place in better condition than when they found it. With that goal in mind, Marines from Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, gathered in formation in the early morning hours of one of their last days in Iraq. Their task wasn’t any normal working party or police call, but one that brought them to hallowed ground. Their mission was to clean and restore the British Royal Air Force Cemetery at Camp Habbaniyah. “Once...

U.S. Army combat medics, Spc. Aimee Collver (foreground) and Spc. Vanessa Bolognese (background), both with the 25th Infantry Division’s 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Personal Security Detachment, help pull security during a mission in Amerli, Iraq, July 11, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Mike Alberts Female Combat Medics Fight Every Day, Earn Respect Missions find success with support of dedicated female soldiers. By Spc. Mike Alberts 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs KIRKUK, Iraq, Aug. 1, 2007 — Temperatures exceeded 115 degrees during the five-hour mission in Amerli that day. More than 50 soldiers were on site and...

QARABAGH, Afghanistan, July 2, 2007 – The respect a Kentucky National Guard squad leader has for his Afghan National Police counterpart here has blossomed into near brotherhood. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Linneman, right, talks with Qarabagh District Police Chief Col. Abdul Shokor during a joint U.S. and Afghan formation at the Qarabagh District Center in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, June 15, 2007. Linneman is a squad leader in Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Regiment, Kentucky National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jim Wilt  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “The only difference between us is the language,”...

Soldiers from 4th Battalion The Rifles recently deployed to Basra as part of 1 Mechanised Brigade. The soldiers are already finding life in southern Iraq challenging but also rewarding. Despite the challenges which operating in Basra inevitably bring the Bulford-based soldiers from 4 Rifles have quickly established their presence in and around the city, conducting a programme of patrols aimed at protecting Multi-National Forces from attacks while also attempting to win the approval of the local population and provide a foundation for the handover of control to Iraqi Forces later on in the year. On one such patrol recently the...

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home. No, he responded. Heading out I asked? No. I'm escorting a soldier home. Going to pick him up? No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family. The realization of what he had been asked...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SWORD, Kuwait, April 27, 2007 – A group of civic and business leaders had the opportunity to learn more about the capability of the U.S. Army during a visit yesterday and today to troops stationed in Kuwait. Forty-five participants of the Defense Department’s Joint Civilian Orientation Conference made a stop during their tour of the U.S. Central Command region to learn about the training and missions of today’s soldiers. The group had the opportunity to go through the last-stop training soldiers get before continuing forward for deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, such as Humvee rollover training,...

Since reading Helen Andelin's book, Fascinating Womanhood, I feel like I was going through life blindfolded, and now, suddenly, I can see. Suddenly, I get it. Suddenly, men don't seem so incomprehensible anymore. Now, it seems obvious to me why things I was doing weren't working, and most important, what does work! I could dance for joy! I used to secretly wish I'd been born a man, but now I absolutely love being a woman.

Female Medics Earn Respect from Afghan Army Afghan soldiers now trust these women with their lives. By 1st Lt. Amanda Straub 41st Brigade Combat Team GARDEZ, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2007 -- Oregon Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jo Turner and Spc. Cheryl Ivanov have found a niche in a “Good Ol' Boys' Club” while serving in Afghanistan. "They stared and stared at first. Then they saw us sleep on the ground like they did and eat their food like they did." Spc. Cheryl Ivanov, combat medic Turner, from Springfield, Ore., and Ivanov, from Coos Bay, are female combat medics...

BALTIMORE -- A Kansas church has been ordered to pay $3,150 for costs and fees associated with a summons and complaint filed by the father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by the extremist group. Albert Snyder, of York, Pa., is suing the Rev. Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church after church members demonstrated at the funeral of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, of Westminster, and posted pictures of the protest on their Web site. Lance Snyder was killed in Iraq in March. Members of the Topeka church claim U.S. soldiers are killed as God's punishment for America's tolerance of...

Dead Schembechlers End 16 year Run Last show’s proceeds will go to charity Saturday, November 18, 2006 Aaron Beck THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Bo Biafra, front, announces the demise of his band at the Newport Music Hall, where the Dead Schembechlers played their final show last night. It might be a long-running joke, but even Columbus’ most popular "Michigan hatecore" band knows to draw the line when its namesake dies. For three gravely serious minutes yesterday in the lobby of the Newport Music Hall, the Dead Schembechlers, who have played before the Ohio State-Michigan game every year since 1990, announced that...

Mike Nolan and Jack Del Rio are ready to suit up. The San Francisco coach and his Jacksonville counterpart have the NFL's permission to wear dress suits designed by Reebok during two games this season. You might find this outfit at your local second-hand store. 49ers head coach Mike Nolan is shedding his old sideline gear in favor of a suit. Nolan is expected to debut his old-school outfit -- a black suit, a white shirt and a red-and-gold-striped tie -- at the 49ers' home game against Seattle on Sunday. Del Rio also will wear a suit-and-tie ensemble in Monday...

BX. GI'S ARREST ORDEAL COP'S BIG BLUNDER By PHILIP MESSING November 6, 2006 -- A patriotic Army private, fresh out of boot camp and walking proudly through his Bronx neighborhood in fatigues, was hauled to a police station, handcuffed and interrogated by an overzealous police sergeant - for impersonating a soldier, The Post has learned. NYPD Sgt. James Herring detained serviceman Andrew Martin Jr., 19, for nearly two hours - and the incident last month is now being probed by the Civilian Complaint Review Board, a board spokesman said. (snip) "There are Marines dying every day in Iraq, and he...

All Saints Day, A Principal Feast Day Of The Catholic ChurchNovember 1, 2006 What makes this feast so important that the Catholic Church celebrates both the night before All Saints and the day after it? The church has always honored those early witnesses to the Christian faith who have died in the Lord. During the first three hundred years Christians were severly persecuted, often suffering torture and bloody death -- because they were faithful. They refused to deny Christ, even when this denial might have saved their own lives, or the lives of their children and families. Many of those...

Jethro Tull's soloist: Show must go on Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull's soloist and flutist, is still planning to come to Israel. 'I don’t think any of us should succumb to terror, I am afraid of coming to Israel but I am also afraid to cross the street' Sagie Ben Nun Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull's soloist and flutist since 1967, is due to appear in Israel on October 16th, 2006 for the fifth time. Anderson will be playing in concert with the Raanana Symphony Orchestra set to take place at the city's famed amphitheatre. As of now, it doesn’t appear as...

Marine Sgt. Scott Reckefus, a 23-year-old native of Manassas, Va. folds a flag over a transfer case, which is used to protect the remains of service members during transit July 19. Story and photo by Cpl. Stephen Holt1st Marine Logistic GroupWhen Cpl. Julian A. Ramon was killed while fighting terrorists in Ramadi July 20, he began the long journey home to where he’d be laid to rest. The process of getting Ramon to his loved ones and final resting place started that night in an old Iraqi Air Force hangar surrounded by his fellow warriors who would make sure he...

Violates Military Uniform Code by wearing uniform while campaigning, Wears officer's uniform that does not match rank at which he retired HARRISBURG - Republican State Committee Executive Director Scott Migli today questioned Joe Sestak, Democratic candidate in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, for his repeated violations of federal law and U.S. Navy regulations as it relates to appropriate conduct for the wearing of military uniforms. Those violations include wearing his uniform while engaged in campaign activities and wearing a uniform that displays a rank above what the grade at which he retired from service. "Joe Sestak's improper use of the military...

U.S. President George W. Bush (L) jogs with Iraq war double-amputee U.S. Army soldier SSgt Christian Bagge, of Eugene, Oregon, along the jogging path on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington June 27, 2006.

Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines of the Multinational Force, Over the last three years, your sacrifices and those of your comrades before you brought the Iraqi people freedom, a democratically elected government, and a chance for a new future. The Multinational Force is now at the point where we can move from the forefront of the effort to secure freedom to a position where we assist the Iraqis in securing and governing their own country. One important way for us to assist the Iraqis is to demonstrate the discipline and values that mark us as professional armed forces of free...

NEW YORK (AP) - The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines apologized for disrespecting President Bush during a London concert in 2003. But now, she's taking it back. "I don't feel that way anymore," she told Time magazine for its issue hitting newsstands Monday. "I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever." As war in Iraq loomed, Maines told the London audience: "Just so you know, we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." The remarks led to death threats and a backlash from other country stars, including a high-profile spat with Toby Keith. It also stalled...

<p>It is getting somewhat strange around these parts when not only the President, but yesterday the First Lady was personally attacked by someone claiming to be a ‘Conservative’. Can there be any doubt that there are forces among us looking to drive a wedge between us?</p>

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq (Army News Service, April 24, 2006) – Tucked away in an obscure building at Sather Air Base, a group of Soldiers hopes today is a slow one. Although most people like to have lots of work, these Puerto Rico Army Reserve Soldiers are content not to have business. When they are busy, it means someone has died. “When there is nothing, it’s a good thing,” said Sergeant Jose Vega, 311th Quartermaster Company Mortuary Affairs technician. “It’s better to stay that way than working.” However, when they do process human remains for the flight back to the...

SAN JOSE – U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales brought a simple message to middle school students on Thursday: Don't steal. “I'm the top cop in the U.S. and I want you to know that if you illegally download a game or music or a video it's stealing, just as if you went into a store and stole blue jeans,” Gonzales told 7th and 8th graders at Windmill Springs School in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. The lesson culminated an unusual four-day lesson on intellectual property and copyright infringement during which the nation's top law enforcement official became a classroom...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger waded into the debate over immigration reform Tuesday, saying the nation needs to respect its immigrants but warned of ``anarchy'' should citizenship be granted to those who enter the country illegally. As he has in the past, the Republican governor, who immigrated from Austria 38 years ago, laid blame on the federal government for not having strong border enforcement and for spending years bickering over reforms. --snip-- And in an opinion article published Tuesday in the Los Angeles Times, he called for ``a comprehensive new law that respects immigrants and protects our nation'' that would include a...

ROME, MARCH 2, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is the final statement of the Bilateral Commission Meeting held in Rome, from Feb. 26-28 (Shevat 28-30, 5766) by the Delegation of the Holy See's Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel's Delegation for Relations with the Catholic Church. * * * 1. At the sixth meeting of this bilateral commission held in Rome, we have addressed the subject of the relationship between human life and technology -- conscious of the far reaching advances in medical science and the challenges as well as opportunities that these present. 2....

Answer To Last Month's "Full House For Disaster" Four Of A Kind: Foundations For An American Future March, 2006 Feature--Return Of The Gods Web Site SynopsisThe four foundation blocks for a Conservative American Future, one that returns to the wisdom of the Founders: Integrity, Identity, Responsibility & Respect. Last month we discussed a metaphorical "poker hand from Hell," reviewing a "full house" of egregious errors in addressing social goals and in understanding the causation for social phenomena. In a discussion of error in addressing societal goals, we described serious mistakes in assigning responsibility in the approach to Public School...

By Ron Banerjee Friday, February 17, 2006 The global reaction to the recent cartoons of Muhammad in Denmark is part of a familiar pattern. In 2004, a Dutch filmmaker named van Gogh was shot dead by Islamic fanatics because he made a film which dared to question the treatment of women in Islam. Similarly, global violence and death threats accompanied the publication of Salman Rushdie’s book, the Satanic Verses.

It is with odd misgivings, and no small amount of fear, that some of us must step back from the wagons circled around the Danish cartoonists, and be saddened at such an opportunity wasted. To even offer an opinion now in such a high-octane environment seems risky beyond words- especially if the thoughts go against the prevailing winds. Fury extends outwards as each side of the muslim curtain sharpens their swords. And yet, something has missed consideration. The American religious base has suffered an onslaught of similar sacreligious assaults in recent years, as the curators of museums, and overseers of...

MIAMI -- Former Attorney General Janet Reno got up and sang Aretha Franklin's "Respect" at a Miami fundraiser Thursday night. The karaoke performance was caught on tape. It happened at an event honoring the 10th anniversary of the Human Services Coalition. Proceeds went to help fight poverty. Reno suffers from Parkinson's disease, but that hasn't stopped her public appearances. Recently, she gave speeches on law enforcement at the University of Iowa and Pennsylvania State University.

With the Super Bower number whatever looming on the horizon, my thoughts turn to youth and the power of football. Growing up, I quickly realized that there were only a few things that I was really good at, and one was finding the guy on the opposing team with the football and throwing him to the ground.

Blair launches 'respect' agenda (Filed: 10/01/2006) Respect agenda - the main points Tony Blair has launched his action plan against anti-social behaviour, hailing it as a "very important" step in the battle to improve the lives of law-abiding people. Mr Blair launched his much-discussed 'respect agenda' The 'respect agenda' measures include higher fines for anti-social behaviour, giving local communities and police more powers to tackle truanting and evict nuisance neighbours, and instructing problem parents on child rearing. Offenders who have been cautioned may be made to do unpaid work, and police will be given powers to shut down and seal...

COVENTRY -- Joseph S. Marketos Jr., a senior at Coventry High School, thinks this country's minimum wage is shamefully low. He disapproves of President Bush. He doesn't believe in God. Yesterday, Marketos joined the decades-old debate about using the pledge in classrooms, when his letter to the editor appeared in The Providence Journal. By the end of the day, his story had made the talk-radio circuit, and the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union had intervened on his behalf. Marketos claims he has been repeatedly punished for refusing to stand for the pledge, as he says he...

There's a diner called Peggy Sue's about eight miles outside of Barstow, and as hard as Lt. Col. Kenneth Parks tries, he can never seem to pay his bill. He orders a burger and a chocolate shake. But before he's finished, the waitress informs him the tab has been taken care of. Many Americans have conflicted feelings about the Iraq war, but not about the warriors. The gestures of gratitude and generosity that occur with regularity at Peggy Sue's have become commonplace across the United States. A spontaneous standing ovation for a group of soldiers at Los Angeles International Airport....

Just a link because Independent material isn't allowed here.

SHANNON, Ireland, Oct. 24, 2005 – Dr. Neil Fruman didn't realize how much of an impact a trip to military installations around the world had made on him until, during an airport stopover in Ireland on the way home Oct. 22, he saw a group of soldiers headed to Iraq. "It became very clear to me then," said Fruman, a family practitioner from Lafayette, Calif. "Looking in the eyes and shaking the hands of these men and women of different countries of origin, nationalities, heights, weights, sexes - all with smiles on their faces, eager, anxious and respectful, standing proudly...

Blair's baby Asbos By Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor (Filed: 09/10/2005) Sweeping powers to clamp down on young offenders and problem families are being drawn up as Tony Blair steps up his war on the "yob culture" plaguing the streets. The Prime Minister has ordered his officials to prepare radical measures to drive through his "Respect" agenda, including "baby Asbos" to be targeted at problem children who could be younger than 10. Tony Blair at the launch of the 'Respect' campaign Downing Street staff, working under the guidance of Louise Casey, the controversial anti-social behaviour "tsar", are preparing a hard-hitting Bill...

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement in recognition of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins today: “As Muslims around the world recognize the holy month of Ramadan, we take this opportunity to celebrate the contributions of millions of Muslim Americans. They enrich our country while deepening America's respect for Muslims here at home and around the world. As they observe this sacred month, they honor Islam's teachings of self-discipline, compassion and commitment to family. “As we celebrate Ramadan, we are reminded that we are a country of many faiths, and as such,...

Humble villagers win back respect By Richard Spencer in Beijing (Filed: 24/08/2005) For more than a thousand years the population of a Chinese village laboured under a curse: the surname "Humble", imposed at the whim of a 10th century emperor. Worse, the name - Gou in Mandarin - is pronounced identically to the Chinese character meaning "dog". China as a nation is sensitive to such matters and villagers said people laughed at them. Now, after almost 11 centuries, the authorities have relented. In response to a petition submitted by residents in May, they have given them their old name back....

Frist says: "We were all once embryos. The embryo is human life at its earliest stage of development. And accordingly, the human embryo has moral significance and moral worth. It deserves to be treated with the utmost dignity and RESPECT." What DOES Frist mean when he says researchers should show RESPECT for embryos? 1. Should researchers bow to each embryo three times before ripping it apart? 2. Should researchers address embryos as "sir" or "ma'am" before taking away their future and the future of their children's children? 3. Should researchers click their heels before cannibalizing the tiniest humans?

What is it with Mexico lately? When did it hire David Duke as an image consultant? Fox's larger point, after all, was unassailable: Mexican immigrants do grimy, low-paying work that most Americans of whatever ancestry consider beneath them. His mistake was those three little words, "not even blacks," which suggest blacks are the gold standard for wretchedness and desperation. Not correct, not terribly sensitive but also, I thought, not worthy of more than a few sharp words of correction. One can't be as sanguine about Mexico's latest faux pas. It seems the country is issuing a series of postage stamps...

Anti-war politician George Galloway has accused Oona King, the Labour MP he defeated at the General Election, of "sour grapes" and said it was he, not she, who suffered from intimidation during the campaign. Mr Galloway, who won Bethnal Green and Bow for Respect in one of the biggest upsets of the night, disputed a claim by Ms King that the campaign had been dirty. He told BBC News 24: "Well, she would say that, wouldn't she? "She was the loser of the election and it's sour grapes. "In fact, in so far as there was intimidation in Bethnal...