Free Republic

With the deluge of threads being posted, and slated to increase greatly as the election heats up, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE .. especially if it's a news/breaking thread ... add the appropriate keywords to your posting form. So, if someone's looking for the latest string of "Obama" or "Sarah Palin" articles, let's say, they just click on that particular keyword at the top of the page, and those articles containing the keyword will come up chronologically. Thank you! Popular keyword options at the top of the main page: ~~~~ *110th *2008 *2008polls *ayers *bailout *barackobama *biden *bo *democrat *democrats *demron *economy...

The New York Times has a Monday column for readers to submit stories about life in NYC. Here are four of my items the Times has published, in reverse chronological order: No. 4: The Lollipop Our B train was being held at 96th Street a few weeks ago. After repeated pleas for passengers to stop blocking the closing doors, the conductors began running out of patience. “Is there a police officer on the platform?” one of them called out. No response. So one of the crew passed through our car, determined to find the problem himself. When he returned, he...

Sarah Palin, who has morphed into America's new conservative feminist, has turned the question of women's right on its head, complicating the already contentious Mommy Wars. Christian conservatives are now touting what some say are "un-family" values, and longtime liberals are finding themselves critical of a woman's choice to raise children and earn a living, calling it "bad parenting." With five children, including a 5-month-old infant with Down syndrome, the Republican vice presidential nominee faces enormous challenges as the ultimate working mother. And with her unmarried daughter now pregnant, she will have the additional task of being a grandparent.

OSBI agents went to gun dealers and pawnshops to create a list of .40-caliber Glock owners. WELEETKA — Authorities working to narrow their leads in the June 8 shooting deaths of two girls used old-fashioned legwork to come up with a list of area gun owners with .40-caliber pistols, one of two weapons used in the slayings. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents knew the caliber of the guns used in the killings, so they merely checked with area gun dealers and pawnshops to determine who had bought or recently pawned .40-caliber Glocks. "It's a typical procedure of any investigation"...

John Edwards Scandal News TV Movie Parts, Gary Pearce, Snoop's Scoop, 3 Stooges, Fred Baron Blurbs, Mickey Kaus, Kathy G, and Faith "This is NOT my baby!" [photo: DougRoss@Journal "All work and no play make Jack a dull boy."It's going to get serious in the immediate future for all involved in the John Edwards Love Child Scandal: Rielle Hunter, Andrew Young, Fred Baron, and of course, John Edwards himself. So, before it does, we thought we'd present this collection of odd and ends in the John Edwards Scandal. Deceptive NuggetsDeceiver has bits and pieces--but what nuggets they are! That Moneyed...

Omaha, NE (KFAB-AM) - McDonald's is all ears after a lawsuit from a customer hard of hearing. Karen Tumeh recently visited a McDonald's in Omaha and tried to place an order at the pick up window at the drive thru. Tumeh is hearing impaired and she states that she could not understand the speaker at the order menu board. The restaurant told her that she had to go back to the menu board to place her order or come inside. The lawsuit would force McDonald's to make special accommodations for those hearing impaired so they too could use the drive-thru....

One of the most notable incidents from Tuesday's State of the City address occurred even before the mayor's speech began. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Rene Marie was introduced to sing the national anthem. But that's not what she sang. Martin actually sang the tune of the traditional national anthem with the lyrics to "Lift Every Voice and Sing." It's a song some have called the National Black Anthem, the Negro National Anthem or the Black National Anthem. Once she finished performing, there was a moment of awkward silence and then the crowd gave her mild applause. Marie said she...

Slide show: http://cbs2.com/slideshows/Hyphenate.Names.Combinations.20.687305.html

Regarding the history of our national elections we've been left to vote against a candidate, the lesser of the two evils if you will. Given the choices we now have for president I think it's time to change the ballot to include "None of the above", (NOTA). If NOTA receives more votes than a candidate then that election is nullified and the process starts a new. Of course the second election process will need to be condensed and the previous candidates will be excluded from running for that office again. This may not be the answer to fix the system...

Why wear a campaign button. If you want to support your Presidential candidate, why not try a ringtone instead? This site (which I found through a friend's blog) has some...uh...interesting ideas for ringtones for some of the candidates for the '08 elections. I have no idea who these people are...but you might find them amusing.

Marie Osmond collapsed during the taping of Monday’s “Dancing With the Stars.” After she finished the samba with partner Jonathan Roberts, Marie was listening to judge Len Goodman’s critique when she passed out and hit the floor. The show immediately cut to commercial during its East Coast airing. After being attended to, Marie came to and told the crowd she fainted because she wasn’t breathing during her dance. “I forget to breathe. I’m fine thank you,” she said after getting back to her feet, drawing rousing applause from the audience.

Part Ihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyT-h4SJmGE Part IIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LaNNlSSGBYPart II has the real interesting stuff ....

Musicians play them. Ski fans bang them. Farmers tie them to heifers. Now, state officials may use cowbells to help solve a curiously persistent transportation problem: trucks that crash into the low Storrow Drive and Memorial Drive bridges despite the abundant signs warning them away.

UNION CITY, Ga. - A McDonald’s employee spent a night in jail and is facing criminal charges because a police officer’s burger was too salty, so salty that he says it made him sick. Kendra Bull was arrested Friday, charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct and freed on $1,000 bail. Bull, 20, said she accidentally spilled salt on hamburger meat and told her supervisor and a co-worker, who “tried to thump the salt off.” ~~~ “If it was too salty, why did (Adams) not take one bite and throw it away?” said Bull, who has worked at the restaurant for five...

All black cats wear bells on Friday the 13th in French Lick Springs, Indiana. Cats can only be taken on to the street on leads in Lorinc, Hungary.ÊOfficials say the measure will protect the public from the "dangerous menace of free range cats." Joint custody of a family pet, including cats, is not allowed when a couple divorces in Madison Wisconsin. The feline is legally awarded to whoever happens to have possession of it at the time of the initial separation. Cats in International Falls, Minnesota are not allowed to chase dogs up telephone poles. Fights between cats and dogs...

Cats are championship sleepers. They spend a lot of time practicing sleep and have perfected the art of the catnap. A sleeping cat can be a soothing, comforting sight. Or an extremely silly sight. Because some cats sleep in poses and positions that simply cannot be believed, poses that would make a contortionist wince. Therefore I inaugurate... THE SILLY SLEEPING POSE OLYMPICS! The prize is laughter for the humans, an affectionate scritching of the ears for the moggy. May the best snoozing contortionist win!

Almost four decades after John Cleese performed his "silly walks" sketch on Monty Python's Flying Circus, mathematicians have concluded that they are, indeed, silly. Today, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical and Physical and Engineering Sciences, an analysis of walking and running concludes that they are the most efficient forms of two-legged locomotion "Our legs are capable of much more than just walking and running," said Manoj Srinivasan, one of the co-authors. "We prove that for a very simple mathematical model of a biped, walking and running minimise the amount of leg work required per distance at...

I came across the word "freeper" in the Urban Dictionary. The definitions that some people posted are hilarious. If you need a chuckle for the day, this should do it for you. Follow the link.

A California company that makes technology designed to prevent ripping of digital audio streams has accused Apple, Microsoft, RealNetworks and Adobe Systems of violating federal copyright law by "actively avoiding" use of its products. Media Rights Technologies and its digital radio subsidiary BlueBeat.com said in a press release Thursday that it had issued cease and desist letters to the high-tech titans. It argues that the companies have manufactured billions of copies of Windows Vista, Adobe Flash Player, Real Player and Apple's iTunes and iPod "without regard for the DMCA or the rights of American intellectual property owners." DMCA refers to...

Folks in Freeper land, I could use your encouragement, prayers, comfort and support tonight. After battling my employer over a verbally and physically abusive boss, I had to clean out my office today. Don't panic yet -- I'm continuing on payroll indefinitely. But after I reported the abuse, and was removed from her building, I was given an office from which I could search for a job. I needed that, because I need to be around midtown for interviews (and I have had some). Tomorrow in fact I have two interviews. I'll try to summarize this quickly: My boss is...

WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential contender Rudy Giuliani says if elected, he'd be open to his wife attending Cabinet meetings on issues in which she's interested. In an interview with Barbara Walters to air Friday on ABC News' "20/20," the former New York city mayor and his wife, Judith Nathan Giuliani, answered questions about the six marriages between them and whether she was the "other woman" who caused the breakup of his second marriage to TV personality Donna Hanover. Rudy Giuliani, the current front-runner in the 2008 GOP race, discussed what role his wife would play if he wins the White...

A party favor has been found to save lives in the Iraq war and now, the Rural Metro Fire Department and Canoa Homes are teaming up to get as many cans of it as possible shipped to the troops. When you think of the gear protecting our troops overseas, you probably wouldn't think of a can tattooed in hot colors proudly displaying the word goofy. Anne Marie Sweeney/Rural Metro Fire: "An innovative attempt by one of our soldiers over there to figure out a way to save lives." Goofy, silly...whatever you want to call it...these cans of silly string are...

January 15, 2007 The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is relatively new to the theatre of war as a mainstream weapon. It was first used en masse by Belarusian guerillas against German supply trains during World War II. Since then, explosive devices have been used to great effect in a number of asymmetrical conflicts. The IED has achieved main weapon status in the current Iraq War, and as usual, some ingenious improvisations have evolved to overcome them. As ludicrous as it may for a soldier in body armour to be carrying a weapon such as the one pictured, that’s just what...

In the tradition of that greatest of all historic theological reflections, "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?" we offer a similar conundrum, "How many statues can dance on the head of one veneration?" This has variously been proposed as "How many statues = 1 Veneration?" XS=1V S=IV/X These are thoughts destined to shatter the world of theology. Both the Theology of Statues and the Theology of Veneration breathlessly await the pronouncements of this thread. In short, you can contribute to this discussion by: 1. Solving the above equation. 2. Adding another (interesting) equation of your...

Media Says Withdrawing Troops Would Be a Disaster, Belatedly Endorses Bush - NEW YORK — The news media has changed its tune since the election and now agrees that withdrawing U.S. troops before the Iraq is stabilized would be a disaster. As a result, the media has belatedly endorsed George Bush and called for a new vote for the House and Congress. “How can you run an effective strategy for the war with a divided government?” asked Seymour Hersh, a previous critic of the Bush Administration and the Iraq war in a series of articles published in the New Yorker....

Everybody asks me about my handle, "Silly." Okay, no one asks me, but since I'm posting again on FR after about being absent since 2002, I thought I'd formally say hello to everyone again, and this was the best way I could think to do so. Years and years ago, when I first began posting on the Internet, including FR, CNN, and other boards, I was a bit, well, let's say, unaware of the effect my strange sense of humor had on others. Of course I knew it was over the top and harmless, but I just couldn't understand why...

France has sent a stiff complaint to Brussels about the European Union’s choice of logo to commemorate its 50th birthday next year.The offending image, a child-like rendition of the English word together, does nothing to serve the cause of European unity, the French Government claims. Their objections come after a shower of rude comment throughout Europe about the logo, which was chosen at a cost of €200,000 (£134,000) last month by a jury of experts from EU institutions and member states. The winning entry from among 1,700 submissions was the work of a Polish art student. A common gibe on...

The month of September is officially Shameless Self-Promotion Month. And we care enough to honor that promise of self-promotion with stunning, unparalleled commitment never before seen in the world. Our competitors may shrink back in shy impotence like the girly boys they really are. But we shall never faulter. We're the best, most profitable, least worrisome, highest quality, perfect credit to our gender, brightest, silliest, nicest smelling, best dressed, most comfortable with small dogs, most talented, elite, A-list, baddest mofos, with the firmest body contours this side of Beverly Hills in all cyberspace. You have our word on it.

September 22, 2006 Chavez stirs Cape political waters By DAVID SCHOETZ STAFF WRITER Of the 435 members of Congress, the Cape's representative is known for having one of the closest relationships with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez - for better or worse. As critics took turns yesterday ripping Chavez for calling President George W. Bush ''the devil'' on the floor of the U.N. General Assembly, U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., a self-described friend of the outspoken leftist South American leader, joined the chorus. ''It was entirely unacceptable,'' Delahunt said. ''This would have been an opportunity to begin to repair the relationship...

Democratic Web loggers are so upset by that ABC 9/11 movie that they've planned an Internet attack — known as a Google Bomb — to make sure their view of the film dominates the Web. Activists on Democratic-Underground.com have urged every Democratic blogger to post identical entries after the movie airs, all featuring the film's title, so that any Internet search for the movie will turn up a liberal blog highlighting what they say are multiple inaccuracies in the film. If the plan works, bloggers say they'll be prepared to utilize the technique "at every turn" between now and November.

It's Friday Let the Silliness Begin!

Mouth grills are so last year. The newest (and some say safer) way to display dental bling: tooth jewelry. Unlike grills -- mouthpieces that blanket the teeth like gaudily bejeweled braces -- tooth jewelry is a less ostentatious, less expensive and less intrusive way to sparkle when you smile. Monika Linau, owner of Santa Barbara, Calif.-based DecoDent, sells a range of tooth crystals and jewelry that includes crosses, aliens, Nike-swoosh lookalikes, and gems in heart and star shapes. The jewels are meant to be attached by dentists with a composite substance. "It's basically the same process as a colored tooth...

Adrian Wapcaplet (W): Aah, come in, come in, Mr....Simpson. Aaah, welcome to Mousebat, Follicle, Goosecreature, Ampersand, Spong, Wapcaplet, Looseliver, Vendetta and Prang! Mr. Simpson (S): Thank you. Mr. Wapcaplet: Do sit down--my name's Wapcaplet, Adrian Wapcaplet...Simpson: how'd'y'do. Wapcaplet: Now, Mr. Simpson... Simpson, Simpson... French, is it? S: No. W: Aah. Now, I understand you want us to advertise your washing powder. S: String. W: String, washing powder, what's the difference. We can sell *anything*. S: Good. Well I have this large quantity of string, a hundred and twenty-two thousand *miles* of it to be exact, which I inherited, and...

I am not certain what the legal ramifications would be in changing Free Republic from donations to a subscription service. It seems to me the switch may be detrimental to legal issues such as copyrights. If that is true I'd appreciate if someone could briefly explain that to me. However if that is not the case here is my suggestion: I have been wondering about this for some time now and have not seen any discussions about it. So I would like to ask: Is it time for Free Republic to become an online subscription service? Currently, the site is...

WASHINGTON - The GOP-controlled Senate gave an election-year endorsement to President Bush's Iraq policy on Thursday, soundly rejecting Democratic demands to withdraw troops from the 3-year-old war that has grown increasingly unpopular. Words were heated on both sides, reflecting rising emotions on the war. Vice President Dick Cheney criticized the Democrats' position, saying on CNN, "Absolutely the worst possible thing we could do at this point would be to validate and encourage the terrorists by doing exactly what they want us to do, which is to leave." But Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said, "Demanding a change of...

LOWER BURRELL, Pa. -- A Lower Burrell school student is facing a three-day suspension for sharing gum with a classmate. Jolt chewing gum has caffeine and ginseng. The Lower Burrell school superintendent said consuming and passing out the gum violates the school's drug awareness policy. That's because caffeine is considered a stimulant. Parents told Channel 11 they did not understand the suspension. Resident Elizabeth Grombacher said, "I think it's stupid. Everything's getting too politically correct it's so wrong." "It's probably just like Mountain Dew or something like that. If it's got a lot of caffeine in it and they probably...

How smart is George W. Bush? Genius Bright Average Dull Moron

What is the purpose of Humor or Laughter ? It is very difficult to define humour or how it functions. First of all you need wit (cognitive experience) for good humour, then amusement/irony (emotional experience) and laughter (physiological experience). Laughter is often linked to humor, however, you will find that nervousness, tickling etc. does not have much to do with humor. The opposite holds also true where you have an instance of Humor without laughter. This may be because of social context or just the mood the “receiver” can be in. An example of such an instance can be when...

An Australian geologist is inflaming the creation-versus-evolution debate in Britain. Annabel Crabb reports from Birkenhead, England. A BEARDED, charismatic Australian has materialised at the centre of a fierce national argument in Britain about the teaching of creationism in schools. John Mackay, 59, is a Queensland geologist who believes the Earth to be about 6000 years old. In Australia, he's not exactly a household name. But in Britain and the US, he's the Steve Irwin of the creationist movement — a fossil fan and larrikin whose way with words is proving a hit with resurgent faith communities. Britain's schools are now...

Is This Dodge 'Fairy' Commercial Actually Hate Speech in Disguise? Bod Garfield's Ad Review: Watch the Video By Bob Garfield Published: April 17, 2006 Faggot. Queer. Fairy. These are synonyms, epithets one and all disparaging gays -- or, more often, heterosexual men deemed insufficiently masculine. Let's call that Fact No. 1. The 'Fairy' spot was created for Dodge by BBDO, Detroit. ALSO: Comment on this review in the 'Your Opinion' section below. Macho brand Fact No. 2: Dodge is marketing its new Caliber subcompact as a tough little car, as opposed to sissy little Civics, Corollas and the like. This...

EMIDJI, Minn., March 14 (UPI) -- Babe, Paul Bunyan's blue ox companion, a concrete statue built in 1937 by the Bemidji, Minn., Rotary Club, will be getting $100,000 worth of repairs. Bunyan and Babe have been featured twice in Life magazine. Kodak has said they're the second-most-photographed statues in the United States, right behind Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Babe developed a one-inch-wide crack from the neck to the hindquarters that city officials have annually fixed with caulking and blue paint, but the crack continued to widen, reported the Grand Forks Herald. The Rotary Club raised more than $53,000 and...

A major Iranian newspaper is holding an international competition for cartoons about the Holocaust to retaliate for the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper last year. The daily Hamshahri, which is Iran's largest newspaper and is run by the capital's municipality, said the competition would be co-sponsored by the House of Caricatures,

Cool, the first OFST of the new year. My only standing resolution was to make no more resolutions and I've already broken it. *shrugs*

"Man On The Moon" Based on the performance by REM"Base On The Moon" Parody by Sarcastic Paranoid

Governor Blanco releases email that proves she asked for federal assistance.

Click on link to see real ebay ad...here

BOURNE – Hurricane Katrina evacuees hastily handed $2,000 in federal relief money last month have been living it up on Cape Cod, blowing cash on booze and strippers, a Herald investigation has found. Herald reporters witnessed blatant public drinking at a Falmouth strip mall by Katrina victims living at taxpayer expense at Camp Edwards on Otis Air Force Base. And strippers at Zachary's nightclub in Mashpee, a few miles from the Bourne base, report giving lap dances to several evacuees. ``They were tipping me $5 a pop,'' said a Zachary's dancer named Angel. ``I told them I felt bad taking...