Free Republic

The Martha verdict appears quite popular with the political classes and the vaunted "man on the street," not to mention the nation's mainstream journalists.  The post-trial comments of one juror, Chappell Hartridge (Juror Number Eight), say it all: "Maybe this is a victory for the little guys who lose money thanks to these kinds of transactions. Maybe it's a message to the big wigs." Remember that this was not a trial about "insider trading."  The judge said so, the prosecutors said so, the pundits said so.  Even the New York Times declared that it was not an "insider trading" charge. ...

The Pill From Hell 12/17/2003 7:29:00 PM By Barbara Kralis - CCI News Today, December 16, 2003, is an important day in the United States. After listening to numerous pro life doctors, bioethicists and leaders warn of the dangers of allowing the abortifacient pill "Plan B" to be sold over the counter, the U.S. advisory panel to the FDA voted to recommend allowing the "morning after" contraceptive pill to be sold without a prescription. The pill is intended for use by women within 72 hours after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. It's incredulous how these US advisors for the FDA...

I'm an Orthodox Jew and have been skeptical about the entire marriage debate. Jewish law does not recognize ANY marriage that includes a non-Jew, whatever the genders. The Bible, of course, never describes marriage except for the obligations of divorce if a man has "taken awife/woman." I was amazed, though, by my own reactions to the joy, peace and conviction of the gay couples I have seen getting married. I wept. I have searched my heart and mind for any conservative value that conflicts with acts of assuming responsibility for another person and a relationship under law that I have...

Comcast changes channel line-up March 1.

What is a Troll???? I was taught as a young child that a troll is a hideous creature that live under a bridge that wants to harm children. Apparently, there are a few subscribers to Free Republic that consider themselves the Troll Patrol. Some authors of Posts to the Free Republic website are accused of being "Trolls". These people, whom call themselves the Troll Patrol, are trying to intimidate Americans who are wanting to express their thoughts and concerns to keep their thoughts to themsleves. This is an attempt to enforce censorship or pressure someone not to express themselves. I...

A joint British and American spying operation at the United Nations scuppered a last-ditch initiative to avert the invasion of Iraq, The Observer can reveal. Senior UN diplomats from Mexico and Chile provided new evidence last week that their missions were spied on, in direct contravention of international law. The former Mexican ambassador to the UN, Adolfo Aguilar Zinser, told The Observer that US officials intervened last March, just days before the war against Saddam was launched, to halt secret negotiations for a compromise resolution to give weapons inspectors more time to complete their work. Aguilar Zinser claimed that the...

<p>Civilization as we know it is coming to an end soon. This is not the wacky conclusion of a religious cult, but rather the result of diligent analysis sourced by hard data and the scientists who study global “Peak Oil” and related geo-political events.</p>

from his lecture given in 1927 One of the commonest charges brought against Islam historically, and as a religion, by Western writers is that it is intolerant. This is turning the tables with a vengeance when one remembers various facts: One remembers that not a Muslim is left alive in Spain or Sicily or Apulia. One remembers that not a Muslim was left alive and not a mosque left standing in Greece after the great rebellion in l821. One remembers how the Muslims of the Balkan peninsula, once the majority, have been systematically reduced with the approval of the whole...

Dear Saddam, Remember when we first met on that magic night in Baghdad in 1983? You were gassing those wacky Iranians with chemical weapons and having a grand old time, but Ronnie and I just said hey, 'dictators will be dictators' - know what I mean?!! Hahaha. It's a good thing we sold you all those weapons and military equipment that you used in crushing your own people. Lord knows what might have happened if we hadn't stepped in to help you out. What a time it was too! We sold you all kinds of fun things - anthrax, VX...

The Congressman Who Cried Wolf Every red-blooded American has heard of the little boy who cried wolf. It’s a story of a young shepherd who used the people’s fear of wolves to get attention. He cried wolf when there was none and laughed as the people scurried to stop an imagined threat. Congressman Bob Ney is like this little shepherd. Congressman Ney was quoted in an article entitled “Terrorists plan DC Fund Raiser” in “The Hill” magazine. His accusations implied an Al-Quida like front group was planning the destruction of the American way of life right under our noses. He...

Could Helicopters have landed on the roofs of the WTC?

From - http://www.spiritoftruth.org/luxor.htm IS THE LUXOR HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS AN AL QAEDA TARGET? J. Adams January 4th, 2004 "The al Qaeda network has long considered Las Vegas to be one of its top targets for a strike because it sees the city as a citadel of Western licentiousness, U.S. officials said. Government officials said they have known for some time that al Qaeda is interested in striking at Las Vegas." - Washington Post, 12/26/03 CANCELLATION OF CHRISTMAS DAY AIR FRANCE FLIGHTSOn Christmas Day, U.S. authorities forced Air France to cancel flights between Paris and Los Angeles out of concern...

He left office nearly three years ago as one of the most successful Presidents ever, and Bill Clinton, the youngest ex-president in modern times, is still the go-to guy in Democratic politics. All of the party's major candidates for president say they call on Mr. Clinton for advice. They say the former president always seems eager to talk politics, and one says the former president sometimes seems to relish the calls as an excuse not to work on his memoirs. "He said to me once, `I shouldn't be spending this much time, I've got to be writing my book,' "...

Like many kids, my brother had one of those toy shape finders. It came with a little mallet and wooden pegs for hammering correctly shaped pegs into matching holes in a bench. When playing with his friends, inevitably, some would not be able to fit the peg into its corresponding shape. One kid would always figure out that if he took the mallet and banged and hammered really hard, and forced the peg, even if it splintered or broke, eventually the peg would fit into a hole that did not fit its shape. George W. Bush has been the kid...

Despite recent reports of an improved economy, hunger and homelessness are on the rise, according to a study of 25 major cities by the U. S. Conference of Mayors. “This survey underscores the impact the economy has had on everyday Americans,” says conference president, Mayor James E. Garner of Hempstead, N.Y. “The face of homelessness has changed and now reflects who we least suspect.” For example, 61 percent of people requesting emergency food assistance in the cities surveyed held jobs. The annual “Hunger and Homelessness Survey,” released in late December, reports that requests for emergency food assistance increased by an...

<p>It's me Timothy J Toler again. I just keep getting in here don't I? I am like an annoying little bug that you can not destroy. You can ZOT me all you want. I am limitless in this town. You would have to shut down the voicings of the entire conservative redneck city I live in just to stop me.</p>

I wanted to invite everyone to greet our newest signup, whyareyoudumbandhateful. Do you think his or her first post will be to make a donation on the Freepathon thread?

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior's birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices Oh night divine Oh night when Christ was born Oh night divine Oh night divine Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming...

With VERY few exceptions (thanks to the people that were human and to people that wrote me privately) you people are a bunch of fundamentalist zealots. You aren't conservatives...you're fascists. You make me embarrassed to be a Republican.

Republican say "Merry Christmas!" Democrats say "Happy Holidays!" Republicans help the poor during the holidays by sending $50 to the Salvation Army. Democrats help the poor by giving $50, one buck at a time, to panhandlers on the street. Democrats get back at Republicans on their Christmas list by giving them fruitcakes. Republicans re-wrap them and send them to in-laws. Democrats let their kids open all the gifts on Christmas Eve. Republicans make their kids wait until Christmas morning When toasting the Holidays, Republicans ask for sherry or mulled wine. Democrats ask for egg nog. When not in stores, Republicans...