Free Republic

A 22-year-old singer is being dubbed the new Susan Boyle after reducing talent show judges to tears with his powerful voice and inspirational story about being abandoned as a child.

Video of a young man singing. It brings tears to the eyes of audience and judges. No, it's not the most important item in the world but worth the few minutes to watch nonetheless.

EL PASO - President Obama today said immigration reform is about nurturing talent for businesses and punishing those who have entered the United States illegally. But mostly immigration is about maintaining hope and realizing dreams, Obama told a sun-splashed crowd of more than 2,000 at the Chamizal National Memorial. He put a face on the controversial, divisive topic of immigration - a man named José Hernández, who did not learn to speak English until he was 12 years old. The son of itinerant farm workers, Hernández was born in California. But two of his siblings were born in Mexico, creating...

HONOLULU (AP) -- President Barack Obama will ring in 2011 with friendly competition at his family's annual New Year's Eve talent show. The White House is keeping Obama's talent a closely guarded secret. Several friends and family members will join the Obamas at their rented oceanfront home in Kailua.

A MUSICIAN who lost both arms in a childhood accident and plays the piano with his toes has won China's Got Talent, performing his version of James Blunt's wistful love song You're Beautiful to a packed audience at the Shanghai Stadium. All three judges on the show on Sunday praised Liu Wei, 23, for his determination, urging him to keep pursuing his dreams, and the Beijing native said he would try, quipping: "At least I have a pair of perfect legs." For winning the Chinese version of the show, he will be invited to play as a guest performer with...

Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle lives like a pauper -- although she's sitting on more than $15.7 million in the bank, according to a stunning report yesterday. Boyle's managers have such a tight financial leash on the "Britain's Got Talent" star that she's allowed to spend only $471 a week, has no credit cards and travels by bus, the British paper News of The World reported. "When Susan realized she can't just walk into a bank and take out her own money, she had a fit because she thought she was down to her last few quid," her brother Gerry...

The fundamental problem with our national intelligence system is that it assumes that quantity can substitute for quality. The result is a vast, expensive network that's far less than the sum of its parts. It's as if the Yankees, stung by a string of losing seasons, avoided seeking out talented ballplayers in favor of hiring a thousand Little Leaguers (at major-league salaries). This week, The Washington Post has done something of a service with a series of articles, "Top Secret America," chronicling the lack of accountability in our intelligence community. The analysis is a bit superficial, but diligent reporting drives...

PREVENTWMD.GOV "COMMISSION ON THE PREVENTION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION PROLIFERATION AND TERRORISM" # NOTE The following text is a quote: www.preventwmd.gov/ Preventing Terrorism: Assessing the Nation’s Progress The Commission has concluded its work as a congressionally mandated organization, as of February 26, 2010. Senator Graham, Senator Talent and Colonel Larsen are committed to continuing this bipartisan work on these important issues. To that end, they have formed The Bipartisan WMD Terrorism Research Center. The Commission website will remain as an archive of past activities, but will no longer be updated. “Unless the world community acts decisively and with great...

Female applicants for the army are being asked to showcase their talents in an interview process never before used and exclusively for women. Aspiring female officers were surprised to learn from Wednesday last week that they are now required to perform a 'talent' as part of the country's current recruitment drive for the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The test of artistic ability was included for the first time as part of the standard face-to-face interview by recruiters on behalf of the PLA, which took place following stringent health screenings over recent weeks. "I was shocked by the new talent show...

Susan Boyle's new album cover features the global superstar as you have seen her before--down-to-earth and natural..

Hugh Hefner announced this morning the news that Barack Obama has won the 2010 Playmate of the Year title in a stunning victory, given the fact that he is neither a woman, nor is 2010 yet here. "Barack's beauty and poise cannot be denied; he is truly a unique human being and an example for all.", Hef announced from the Playboy Mansion at 11:00 A.M. today. No word yet when the pictures of the prize-winner will appear in Playmate nor has Mr. Obama given a statement on this development.

Democrats aren’t behaving rationally. I don’t mean they’re mentally ill, although they seem to hold that opinion of conservatives. Rather, they are suffering from a pathology that assumes anyone who disagrees with them is stupid, evil, and wrong. I went through public education for primary, secondary, and higher education in a blue state, receiving a heavy dose of liberalism from my family and peers. It was the rare exception when they didn’t act shocked — SHOCKED — that someone disagreed with them. They couldn’t comprehend how anyone could take a different point of view on issues from abortion to global...

I love Susan Boyle's voice, and am anxious for her to record a CD. I would personally like to hear her sing songs such as: Some Enchanted Evening, Unchained Melody, The Rose, Over the Rainbow, White Cliffs of Dover, Wind Beneath My Wings, and more. What other songs would you like to hear Susan sing?

Today's performance: http://talent.itv.com/videos/video/item_200228.htm

Susan Boyle, a 47-year-old singleton from a small village in Scotland, who's never been kissed and lives with her kitty named Pebbles, shocked "Britain's Got Talent" audience and the judges with her performance of "I Dreamed a Dream." If you missed seeing this, be prepared to laugh and cry. What a plucky little gal. It took some major gumption to get up there and face those snickering people snarky judges. The Wall Street Journal reports that as of 11 a.m. EST Thursday, the YouTube video of her appearance had been viewed more than 12.3 million times. And she's set the...

Two years ago, Paul Potts, a chubby mobile phone salesman, wowed the British TV public with his performance of Puccini's "Nessum Dorma" to win "Brtiain's Got Talent", The British equivalent to "America's Got Talent". While good, I didn't think Potts to be that fantastic. However last weekend, the third season of "Britain's Got Talent" opened and another diamond in the rough emerged. This one is quite fantastic. Susan Boyle, a frumpy looking 47 year old Scottish spinster, who lives with her cat "Pebbles" and admits she's never been kissed, came out on stage and told the audience she wanted to...

California's intellectual pipeline to the White House is again open wide and flowing, as the Golden State will have key advocates bending President-elect Barack Obama's ear on its behalf. Naturally, the nation's most populous and electorally rich state (which is also rich with campaign contributors) would have a great deal of influence. But the Democratic stronghold mattered less to the Bush administration. As Chris Lehane, a former Clinton administration official and San Francisco political consultant, said: "Before, the door was slammed in our face. Now, the welcome mat is out. The access issue is a big deal." "You have an...

Hi Freepers! Hope you'll visit my website www.machosauceproductions.com I'm still puttin' in work, and glad you are too! God bless you guys, and thanks for helpin' me do my part!

Humble salesman stuns judges with opera classic Makes Idol judge Simon Cowell's jaw drop May perform in front of the Queen A MOBILE phone salesman from Wales has stunned the judges of a British talent show with his rendition of an opera classic. Paul Potts, 36, sang Nessun Dorma – made famous by Luciano Pavarotti – for the judges on Britain's Got Talent TV show, who are searching for an act to perform in front of  the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance and win $A250,000. It was a daunting prospect, not only singing for a huge TV audience,...

Britt Hume introduced this segment at the end ofFox News Special Report this evening.This guy is a cell phone salesman and appeared on the British version of "American Idol" - Britain's Got Talent. His name is Paul Potts, he sings the aria Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot, and he is magnificent. Brought tears to my eyes. Pay attention to the judges' reaction: even Simon Cowell was blown away.

Down To Business: Talent Shortage ? Employers Must Take Some Of The Rap Many tech pros are demoralized, thanks to knee-jerk offshore outsourcing and the post-bubble malaise. Employers must move beyond the "you should be happy you have a job" mentality. By Rob Preston InformationWeek March 3, 2007 12:00 AM (From the March 5, 2007 issue) Ask a dozen CIOs and tech vendor CEOs to identify their single most pressing challenge, and you'll likely get at least 10 different answers, right? Not exactly. In fact, they all come back to one overarching concern: finding, grooming, and retaining tomorrow's leaders. I...

Man... per CNN, with 80% reporting, Talent is at 799,007 while McCaskill is at 813,003...

Talent's race still looks do-able but St. Louis County, which used electronic equipment, has only 2 precincts reported--which is unbelievable---!!! And Kansas City shows nothing!

About to get out and doing whatever is to be done to help out today, but before going, I wanted to pass this along to those in the close Senate states that don't know it. Justice Stevens is NOT in good health. Check this thread out here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1733273/posts . Someone in his family has reported that his health is bad, and has some kind of illness, and at 86 that's very serious. The Senate races in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, Montana, Rhode Island are even more important with this news. Justice Stevens WILL NOT BE ON THE SUPREME COURT...

John Kerry's "botched joke"/habitual troop slander has soaked up most of the blogosphere and MSM's attention the past week. But under the radar screen, another embarrassing controversy involving the Democrats and the military has been brewing. Two separate Democrat ad campaigns--run statewide by Missouri Senate candiate Claire McCaskill and run nationally on CNN and FOX by failed Democrat presidential candidate retired Gen. Wesley Clark--have featured an Iraq war veteran identified as Josh Lansdale. First, watch the McCaskill ad (part of a "Missouri Voices" series with the usual "I'm Claire McCaskill and I approve this ad" endorsement at the end) in...

I have just arrived home from the local Talent GOTV effort today. I was privileged to sit in on the end of the day results tally. I am proud to report that the 2006 GOTV effort is smashing the record set in 2004, a presidential year, here in Missouri. They are up over 70% from 2004, and it is ratcheting up even higher. The man in charge of the 2004 GOTV campaign in 2004 got in on the conference call and was amazed at the numbers that the 2006 campaign is generating. Tomorrow is a big day with Ken Mehlman...

About 46 years ago, with no previous immediate family or personal involvement in politics, I began to study our government and the elective and judicial processes. As a local Jaycee president and eventually vice president of the Missouri Jaycees, through Jaycee programs I became aware of Americanism and the threat by outside ideologies to our freedoms. Even though I had an uncle who was a Democratic state senator in Arkansas and an active grandfather in that overwhelmingly Democratic state, neither my father, his associates nor myself and friends had even been politically involved until my Jaycee days. However, through study,...

Missouri's neck-and-neck U.S. Senate contest is heading into the final week with both major party candidates bringing in big names to help rev up potential supporters for next Tuesday's election. Among them: U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and President George W. Bush's press secretary, Tony Snow. Such marquee visits, along with similar big-name conference calls, underscore the national political importance of Missouri's contest between U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., and his Democratic rival, state Auditor Claire McCaskill. Missouri is among a handful of states where voters probably will determine which political party controls...

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Opponents of embryonic stem cell research raised more money than supporters during the past few weeks, marking a first in Missouri's costly ballot battle over whether to write stem cell research into the state constitution. Campaign finance reports filed Monday showed the Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures topped $30 million in its campaign for proposed Constitutional Amendment 2 on the Nov. 7 ballot. But during the Oct. 1-26 reporting period, three opposing groups actually brought in more money - totaling almost $1.9 million compared with the supporters' $1.3 million. The opponents' fundraising push came as poll...

After all their ads, attacks and debates, Missouri's two major candidates for the U.S. Senate are heading into the campaign homestretch in roughly the same spot as they were almost a year ago — deadlocked. U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, a Republican, and his Democratic rival, state Auditor Claire McCaskill, also are finding their battle increasingly entwined with the fight over Amendment 2, the ballot proposal to protect all forms of stem cell research allowed under federal law. The latest Research 2000 poll conducted for the Post-Dispatch and KMOV (Channel 4) found voters evenly split over whether to re-elect Talent or...

MICHAEL J. FOX was right--at least partially. "What you do in Missouri," Fox said in his now famous TV ad, "matters to millions of Americans--Americans like me." He never mentioned Amend ment 2. He never mentioned the word "cloning." He merely endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill, the state auditor, and spoke against GOP incumbent Jim Talent. But the subtext was clear: Vote for McCaskill--and while you're at it, vote "yes" on Amendment 2. "As you might know, I care deeply about stem cell research," said Fox, a longtime and visibly suffering Parkinson's patient, in a spot that first aired...

If Republicans lose the Senate, it could be because of the issue that George W. Bush put on the national agenda in his very first televised prime-time address to the nation, serving as yet another reminder of how the GOP’s chances in next week’s elections are inextricably linked to his presidency. Although a Democratic takeover of the Senate is still less than likely, political oddsmakers point to the contest in Missouri as a must-win in any scenario that leads to such a changeover. And that race seems to be turning on stem cell research, the issue Bush introduced to most...

Finally starting to see some activity on behalf of Talent. In addition to what appears to be about a tripling of advertising activity here in St. Louis in the last few days, there has been a huge increase in telephone calls. Just this morning I've had calls from RNC (gay marriage), MO Republican Party (Tax increases), and one other call that I dont recall. Also got a flyer in the mail the other day from RSCC I believe. Still not seeing yard signs like I usuualy do for Jim here in West St. Louis County but several people have suggested...

Jeff Suppan is scheduled to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the World Series at Busch Stadium, but his time on the mound will not be his only appearance on the baseball telecast. Suppan is one of several athletes in a political campaign commercial to be broadcast regionally during the Fox network’s telecast of the game. The ad urges Missouri voters to oppose stem-cell research and vote against Amendment 2 to the state constitution, on the ballot in the Nov. 7 election. In a video copy of the ad, produced and distributed by an anti-amendment group...

Pro-life advocates in Missouri have prepared a response ad to one that actor Michael J. Fox has made in numerous states that contains misleading information about pro-life candidates and their views on stem cell research. The new ads feature St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan and stars Jim Caviezel of "The Passion of Christ." ... A new study by Steven Goldman and colleagues at the University of Rochester Medical Center finds embryonic stem cells cause tumors when inserted into rats that have Parkinson's. As a result, patients like Fox would likely be killed or face severe problems if treated with...

Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll shows that support for Amendment 2, the Missouri measure that would have the state support human cloning and embryonic stem cell research, is dropping fast. The level of support has dropped from more than a 2-1 margin to less than 10 percent. According to a new Survey USA poll released Tuesday, just 45 percent of Missouri voters say they plan to vote for Amendment 2 while 36 percent will vote against it and another 18 percent are undecided. That's a huge difference from the last survey the polling firm did just two...

*** Just outstanding guest appearance by Sean Hannity on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer, our 'Great American'!!! *** Hannity: Michael J. Fox Can Be Criticized for Stem Cell Ad Radio Show Host Says Ad Won't Affect Midterm Elections' Outcome Video link -http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2604613 (opens ABC News video player) ABC Talk Radio host Sean Hannity spoke to Diane Sawyer about the recent controversey caused by Rush Limbaugh's comments about Michael J. Fox. Oct. 25, 2006 — Conservatives came to the defense of talk radio host Rush Limbaugh over his accusation that actor Michael J. Fox's appearance in a political ad about...

One must be careful to make too much of a given Senate candidate appearing broke at the 3rd-quarter FEC filing time. After all, the national parties and major donors can rescue a strong candidate’s foundering finances. And certain costs, such as advertising, may even still have been paid up front. But when so many candidates from one party, who have been very strong, are suddenly out of cash, while the other party is cash-rich, something may be afoot. In this case, the Republicans continue to use their strategy which produced surprise wins in 2002 and 2004: They are keeping their...

Here Are The Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #10438 Geography Surveyed: Missouri Data Collected: 10/21/2006 - 10/23/2006 Release Date: 10/24/2006 11:45 AM ET Sponsors: KCTV-TV Kansas City, KSDK-TV St. Louis MO Senate Seat Tips Back To Republican Incumbent Talent: In an election for United States Senator from Missouri today, 10/24/06, 2 weeks to Election Day, incumbent Republican Jim Talent rebounds to inch ahead of Democrat challenger Claire McCaskill, 48% to 45%, according to a poll of 630 Likely Voters conducted exclusively for KSDK-TV St. Louis and KCTV-TV Kansas City. This is a dramatic reversal when compared to an identical SurveyUSA...

Adult stem cell research, that is. I know, but watching Michael J. Fox's near-slanderous attack on Senator Jim Talent, you'd have no idea that when Fox says that Talent opposes research into "stem cells," he means "embryonic stem cells." And it's because Fox, tragically afflicted Parkinson's Disease, needs a cure. But Fox doesn't let on that, yes, even adult stem cells have yielded treatment for Parkinson's. Read the testimony of Dr. Dennis Turner, who suffered extreme shaking from 1991-1999 until adult stem cell therapy, conducted by Dr. Michel F. Levesque, helped give him four virtually pain-free years from treatment. Or...

 Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #10405   Democrat McCaskill Pulls Ahead of Talent in MO, U.S. Senate Seat May 'Flip': In an election for United States Senator from Missouri today, 10/12/06, Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill leads Republican incumbent Jim Talent 51% to 42%, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KSDK-TV St. Louis and KCTV-TV Kansas City. Since an identical SurveyUSA poll 4 weeks ago, on 9/14/06, McCaskill has gained 3 points and Talent has lost 5 points. McCaskill's advantage has grown from 1 point to 9 points. The election is in 26 days, on 11/7/06. Most of...

Democrat McCaskill Pulls Ahead of Talent in MO, U.S. Senate Seat May 'Flip': In an election for United States Senator from Missouri today, 10/12/06, Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill leads Republican incumbent Jim Talent 51% to 42%, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KSDK-TV St. Louis and KCTV-TV Kansas City. Since an identical SurveyUSA poll 4 weeks ago, on 9/14/06, McCaskill has gained 3 points and Talent has lost 5 points. McCaskill's advantage has grown from 1 point to 9 points. The election is in 26 days, on 11/7/06. Most of the movement in the race comes from Independent...

WASHINGTON — In an unusual move, the Republican National Committee is investing heavily in television advertising in Senate races in Ohio, Tennessee and Missouri in what officials describe as a firewall strategy designed to limit Democratic gains in the Nov. 7 elections and maintain the GOP majority. The move reflects a desire on the part of Ken Mehlman, the Republican Party chairman, and other strategists to exercise more control over the drive to retain a majority, according to several Republican officials. They said the decision has caused friction with officials at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which historically has been...

Democrat targets The President’s approval ratings remain low and generic polls (“which party would you be most likely to vote for?”) give an edge to the Democrats, though perhaps by less than in the summer. So the seats most likely to change hands are ones the Democrats are targeting. Montana ought to be safe for the Republicans, and with another candidate, it would be. But Conrad Burns has been linked to uber-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, now convicted of corrupting public officials. Burns has been trailing for some time, and Montana now pips Pennsylvania as the Democrats best hope of a pick...

Surprise! Young Democrats Busted Vandalizing for McCaskill Gee... is this surprising?The young unhinged hoodlums just can't help themselves. The kiddies are caught vandalizing for Claire McCaskill VIDEO IS HERESomewhere Howard Dean is smiling.

McCaskill (D) 45%; Talent (R) 42%

This meeting was for Kansas City and Saint Joseph. This was the first NRA-ILA activism meeting I have ever attended, so I don't really have a reference point. That being said... The NRA has put together a 13 minute movie on the gun confiscations during Katrina that is incedibly powerful. I hope they stream it so we can spread it around (unlike the LaPierre/Peters debate that we had to buy). This movie will convert moderate anti-gunners as well as motivate the 80 million gun owners who aren't NRA members and who don't vote. The NRA rep said the movie isn't...

Geography Surveyed: Missouri Data Collected: 09/11/2006 - 09/13/2006 Release Date: 09/14/2006 11:30 AM ET Sponsors: KCTV-TV Kansas City, KSDK-TV St. Louis Talent, McCaskill Still Tied in U.S. Senate Race: In an election for United States Senator from Missouri today, 9/14/06, Republican Senator Jim Talent and Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill remain tied, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KSDK-TV St. Louis and KCTV-TV Kansas City. McCaskill gets 48% of the vote, up 1 point from an identical SurveyUSA poll 1 month ago. Talent gets 47%, also up 1 point. McCaskill's 1-point advantage is within the poll's 4.6 percentage point...

Committeewoman Norma Leggette (4th Ward) isn't sure what the Democratic Party stands for anymore. She wonders how she's supposed to excite constituents in her ward about November's elections. Leggette said there are two Democratic parties in St. Louis - one that benefits whites and another that ignores blacks. "At one time, Democrats were a solution for us. I don't know when that changed or why that changed, but it has," Leggette told me. Her comments underscore a familiar complaint from blacks who claim the Democratic Party takes them for granted. Leggette voiced her concerns Tuesday during a rah-rah session with...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 -- Army Sgt. J.R. Schultz spent much of his down time in Iraq writing songs with his buddies. The endeavor paid big dividends when he entered the Dallas Songwriters Association’s “Songs From the Soul of Service” amateur songwriting contest. Army Sgt. J.R. Schultz was one of about 150 servicemembers who submitted original songs for the Dallas Songwriters Associations’ “Songs From the Soul of Service” amateur songwriting contest. He had two first-place songs, and a third song took a second place. “You Know Me,” his first-place entry in the country category, went on to take the grand...