Free Republic

Sharpening my pitchfork and oiling my torch!Getting ready for the day of reckoning.Merry Christmas and may God be with us and our nation in it's time of need.

In keeping with the tradition of the holidays - the minds at MSNBC, the place for politics if you're of the lefty persuasion, decided rate the top 10 political stories of the decade. And leading this gang of masters of political journalism universe was "Hardball" host Chris Matthews, who on the broadcast of his Dec. 24 program, announced that conservative activism, mainly the tea party movement was the eighth biggest story of the decade - but labeled "angry white voters" (emphasis added). "Welcome back to 'Hardball' - our number eight political story of the decade, angry whites at town hall...

“This fight [is] about people, real people.”Harry Reid unwittingly elucidated a perfect right-wing war cry for the New Year, as he basked in the Democratic glory of his health care win in the Senate.Right back at ya, buddy. In securing the Christmas Eve win, the Democrats compared the Senate Majority Leader’s strength and perseverance to that of several biblical figures, and even Babe Ruth.“Harry Reid has the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon and the endurance of Samson,” declared Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin. “He has hung in there day after day, has put this together, and he is about...

Pelosi promised to deliver the health care bill in final form for the SOTU address in January. Is this not the perfect opportunity to hold a mass demonstration outside for all the world to see? Millions of patriots rallying outside could be the real story of the evening. (Yes I know the MSM would not cover it accurately).

The True ‘Person of the Year’: the American Activist Posted by Tim Phillips (Profile) Wednesday, December 23rd at 12:20PM EST 28 Comments Note from Erick: Tim Phillips is president of Americans for Prosperity, one of the organizations I think actually does a good and effective job of harnessing grassroots energy for free markets and free people. It’s more than clear who the real Person of the Year is: the grassroots American activist. Just listen to the pervasive phrases in the country’s lexicon for 2009 – from “tea party” to “Hands off my health care” and “Listen to me.” Without a...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiC7S12cwhE "TV AD: HARRY REID FAILED!" Video - Description - quote: OurCountryPAC December 20, 2009 More info: http://www.TeaPartyExpress.org Senator Harry Reid has shown contempt for the American people and the people of Nevada. Now, "We The People" are fighting back, and the Tea Party Express (and its principal sponsor, the Our Country Deserves Better Committee) fights back with this TV ad campaign against failed Democrat Senator, Harry Reid. Category: News & Politics Tags: harry reid failed our country deserves better tea party express tv ad sharron angle sue lowden danny tarkanian

For Democrats like Harry Reid, who called them "evil-mongers," and Nancy Pelosi, who called them "un-American," the NBC News poll must have hit like a sucker punch at a Georgetown wine-and-cheese. The Tea Party movement, those folks rallying against spending last spring and Obamacare in the summer town halls, are viewed more favorably than the Democratic Party. Forty-one percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party movement, to 35 percent for Obama's party. Only 24 percent view Tea Party activists unfavorably, while 45 percent hold a negative view of the Democrats. While Tea Party types played a...

The struggles of the Democrats and the Republicans are making news. The Democrats are learning that it is far easier to make campaign promises than it is to govern. As for Republicans, the party that loses the Presidential election often spends the off-year attempting to refine its message if not find a new message and new messengers. In the watchful eye of 24/7 cable news channels and the Internet, however, such political soul searching can appear rather untidy. As the calendar turns, the process remains unresolved for Republicans to say the least. Worse than mere overexposure, according to Rasmussen polling,...

Tucson Water insists it hasn't been adding anything to the water. But Tucson, long known as a solid blue island in a largely red state, has all of a sudden birthed a number of anti-establishment, rabble-rousing groups, often leaning right of center. Just this month, the Arizona Policy Institute, a Southern Arizona version of the Goldwater Institute, was launched. While it won't have the research function of the Phoenix-based conservative think tank, it does intend to follow Goldwater's model of suing government when it determines regulations have excessively curtailed personal freedoms and private-property rights. It has determined the city of...

We've discussed the modern day phenomena known as the Tea Party movement and the events which sparked the disgust towards those representatives in Washington supposedly accountable to we the people. Why the grassroots Tea Party took off so rapidly, and has made such a difference in slowing down the socialist takeover of America, is clear.But, just who are those people or groups that participate in a Tea Party?What are they like?What are their values and vision for America?Is the Tea Party movement part of a grand political machinery, well financed and dripping with elitism and power?Those on the Left like...

If we adopt the compassion of time rather than that of cash, we are not trying to do the same thing as liberals, only a bit more cheaply. Instead, we must ask of every idea that calls itself compassionate, "Does it make great demands on men (and women) to give themselves to their brethren?" Are we offering not coerced silver, but our lives? If we talk of crisis pregnancies, are we actually willing to provide a home to a pregnant young woman? If we talk of abandoned children, are we actually willing to adopt a child? We need to ask...

In honor of the made-up holiday Festivus today, here is my airing of grievances. As a conservative and reluctant Republican, I find the tea party movement a much-needed pressure valve for the frustrations over our federal government's unconstitutional acts and potential treason. It's empowering to have a voice and a vehicle for action during a time when so many Americans feel helpless and hoodwinked. Equally frustrating is that the Republican Party doesn't want to show support for a peaceful, massive opposition movement like the tea parties -- especially when it is based on Republican principles. The time is approaching...

On Dec. 22, when Rep. Parker Griffith of Alabama announced he would be switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, it was to be expected MSNBC, the so-called "Place for Politics" would spin it in anyway imaginable. But Rachel Maddow decided to use the left's favorite boogeyman, the tea party movement, to denigrate conservatives and distract from what could be real problems for House Democrats. During the Dec. 22 broadcast of "The Rachel Maddow Show," Maddow interpreted a joint conference call with Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele and FreedomWorks chairman Dick Armey to mean that the grassroots...

All details and information, including info on buses and hotels, will be found on the primary planning hub at http://www.TaxDayTeaParty.com

Justin Raimondo detects yet another death of neoconservatism and yet another resurgence of non-interventionism on the right. As usual, he takes isolated examples, misinterprets them and then grossly exaggerates their importance. It is great news that many Tea Party protesters support something like a non-interventionist foreign policy. As many of them were originally Ron Paul supporters, just as I was, it makes sense that quite a few of them do support this. It would be even better news if there were any reason to believe that most of the Republican Party and conservative movement shared their foreign policy views. The...

The Tea Party movement appears to have some staying power. It's a political movement fueled by people who are turned off by politics. Tea parties were sparked by voters angry about the Democrats' health care overhaul. Now, as the Congressional debate over health care hits its crescendo, the Tea Party appears to be picking up steam in parts of the Northwest.

O.K., before I take fire from all sides, please understand my criteria: the person I choose has to move forward the cause of intellectualism and conservatism in America, and be a stalwart protector of freedom and defender of the Constitution. So my criteria is narrow. And of course, at least I have criteria, unlike the Nobel Committee selecting a President who has done nothing, or Time magazine for selecting a man that was as responsible for last year's economic crisis as anyone on the face of the planet. That said, using these criteria, I frankly could not think of anyone...

Senator Casey's Wife Exclaims: "He [Senator Casey] has prayed about it, and has already made up his mind, and is not going to change it!" Diana Roccograndi asks: "What spirit is Mr. Casey listening to that would tell him to vote for a bill that would ensure the death of millions of babies?" SCRANTON, Pa., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- outside Senator Casey's home -- The following was released today by Randall Terry, Insurrecta Nex. -- Contact: Diana Roccograndi. To interview Diana Roccograndi, Andrew Beacham, or Ron Brock, call 904-687-9804 Also Below: See video of first night at their home. The...

From General McChrystal to Hillary Clinton to Chelsea Handler, Meghan McCain names the men and women who made a difference this year—the good, the bad, and the nutty. This year has been full of people who let us down—from politics to entertainment to sports. (Is it too late for Tiger Woods, Mark Sanford, and David Letterman to rent a ski condo for the holidays?) But not everyone has been a disappointment. There are plenty of folks who made the world a lot better, more interesting, and just plain fun in 2009 Here are people who made my year. (snip) Hillary...

With 2010 now just days away(!), every political analyst and junkie in the country is looking for the signs of whether a wave either directed at Democrats or incumbents more generally is building in the country A new analysis from of every midterm election since 1978 -- conducted by the Democratic polling firm Bennett, Petts & Normington -- suggests the critical factor in whether 2010 will be a wave election in which large numbers of House seats change parties or simply a typical midterm election where the President's party suffers losses consistent with historical norms is, in a word, turnout....

Tea Party groups in Dallas, Austin and Houston are rallying today at the offices of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to protest her breaking ranks with a GOP filibuster aimed at stalling the Democrats’ health care bill. "We want to let her know that we are not happy," said Dallas Tea Party leader Phillip Dennis. "If we can’t trust her to fulfill her promises as a senator, how can we trust her as governor?" Last week, Republican Senate leaders organized a filibuster of a defense spending bill, though that was not the real target. Hutchison said she supported the tactic, but...

A group called Americans for Prosperity in Nebraska gathered a crowd for a rally in Omaha to press Sen. Nelson on the reform bill. Anger over senator Ben Nelson's support of health care reform. Nearly 2,000 people rally in Omaha, hoping he's listening. The group's message is two fold -- reconsider your vote Senator Nelson and remember your decision when elections roll around. With their signs in hand, Nebraskans filled Omaha's Music Hall, rallying against the senate health care bill and Sen. Nelson's support for it. "I think that's why we're all here. To get him to listen to us,"...

Subject: DO NOT GIVE UP! Senate Watch TONIGHT with NATIONWIDE Virtual Vigil Greetings Patriots,It is five days before Christmas and it looks as if the Scrooges in DC aren't packing it up and going home.  Instead, they have decided to call Ba-humbug and pass this legislation that 61% of Americans do not support.  This past week, even Howard Dean came out and said it was not good for this country because it is a bailout for big insurance companies.  On Thursday, MoveOn.org sent a message to their members that they do not want the legislation passed either and that...

This is a great video. It should be played where the politicians can hear it, loud and continuously. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_-L4fyLUo

Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is headed to Nebraska. Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, will headline an Omaha rally Sunday afternoon to try to persuade U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson to change his mind on health care reform. The rally will be at 3 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium Music Hall, 17th Street and Capitol Avenue. Doors will open at 2 p.m. The rally was put together quickly Saturday after Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat, said he would support a health-care reform bill in the Senate. Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Terry of Omaha is expected to attend, as well as state...

llinois' Tea Party movement has not decided upon one candidate for U.S. Senate, as Illinois Review mistakenly implied Friday in the first sentence of the post "Will Co. Tea Party Alliance plans to "Stop Mark Kirk","  state Tea Party contact Denise Cattoni pointed out Saturday. "Each individual group can endorse a candidate if they so choose; however, there are almost 40 groups in the state of Illinois.  Patrick Hughes is the Will County's choice for Senate seat; however, other groups may not, or haven't made a decision yet," Cattoni wrote via email.  "As a grassroots movement, each group is entitled to make an...

Will Bill O'Reilly be one of the "founding fathers" of the latest American political party, the Tea Party, which is being taken very seriously by many Americans? It may well be.

Florida FReepers and others beware! Dem operatives and other ne'er-do-wells are trying mightily to co-opt the Tea Party moniker. In Florida, a Democratic lawyer has registered the name "Tea Party" as an official party and has been recognized by the state as such. This clown is obviously trying to capitalize on the Tea Party name and fame and also trying to split conservatives and harm their effort to retake the Republican Party. Do not be fooled. Warning Will Robinson! Burn after reading...

You've heard of the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, but how many have heard of the Philadelphia Tea Party which soon followed? It was attended by 8,000 Philadelphians (one third the population of the city at that time)on December 27, 1773. How many are aware the Tea Tax rebellion actually began in Philadelphia with the ratification of eight tax resolutions in October 1773 shortly thereafter adopted in early December by our then brothers and sisters in Boston? Please join us for our CHRISTMAS TEA PARTY commemorating the 226th Anniversary of the First Philadelphia Tea Party, the first known...

When a fellow conservative tried to cheer me up this morning by assuring me that the Senate Democrats' victory on health care was going to be a Pyrrhic one, I realized I didn't remember much about Pyrrhus. I went of course to Wikipedia. That fine reference work defines a Pyrrhic victory as "a victory with devastating cost to the victor." It also provides this quotation from Plutarch's Life of Pyrrhus, describing the aftermath of the battle of Asculum in 279 BCE: "The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that...

Senate Republicans blasted the chamber's new healthcare bill in no uncertain terms on Saturday. "Make no mistake, this bill will reshape our nation and our lives," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a statement. "This bill is a legislative trainwreck of historic proportions." McConnell's Democratic counterpart, Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), unveiled the final language for his party's healthcare bill while simultaneously sewing up the 60th vote for the bill in Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.). "The history that's being made here is the ignoring of the will of the American people," McConnell said. Other Republican lawmakers dumped on...

Patriots, "Telephone Tea Party #2" starts NOW!!! Storm congress by phone by calling your Senators at (202) 224-3121 and telling them to "Kill the Pelosi/Reid/Obamacare Bill." Let's bury congress with calls and protest the bill. CALL NOW, CALL EARLY, CALL OFTEN. LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD. Rise up, call NOW!

This bill can't be read and digested in two days. Call Congress to demand we get 3 days to read the bill.

Republicans Demand To Read Legislation Before Voting On It WASHINGTON (AP) Republicans threatened to delay Senate business with a health care read-a-thon this weekend as Democrats searched for 60 votes to advance President Barack Obama's signature issue. A forecast of heavy snow added to the list of complications. At a news conference Friday in the Capitol, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accused Democrats of trying to ram the health care bill through with dozens of changes as yet unseen, and promised to do all they could to prevent it. "I think we've made it...

Rick Perry, where are you? In Texas, and across the Nation, we are watching the inexorable advance of unconstitutional federal legislation across our borders. What recourse do Texas citizens have when the federal checks and balances established by our Founding Fathers are overrun? We will be looking as we vote for our next Governor for strong, principled leadership.

...The protest, dubbed "Code Red" due to the urgency of stopping health-reform legislation, may not have been their biggest. But if you looked closely, there were signs that the group—or, in this case, a motley collection of groups called High Noon For Healthcare—is gaining steam. For one thing, Republicans are increasingly trying to associate themselves with the movement. For another, more Democrats seem willing to hear them out. The most prominent politician to speak at the first official D.C. tea party on April 15 was Alan Keyes. Glenn Beck's 9/12 protest featured a smattering of conservative Republicans, including Rep. Tom...

BILL O'REILLY, HOST: In the "Factor Follow-up" segment tonight: A new Wall Street Journal poll says there is a big political change going on in America right now. Thirty-five percent of Americans see the Democratic Party favorably. Twenty-eight percent say they like the Republican Party. But a whopping 41 percent now say they support the Tea Party, which is stunning when you think about it. So will the Tea Party become America's third political party? Joining us from Washington, Ned Ryun, president of American Majority, an organization that trains Tea Party politicians. And here in the studio, Fox News analyst...

Packed into Shoney’s in a standing room only crowd, more than 125 people gathered Thursday night for Dalton’s first Tea Party. Ned Wilford of Dalton said he’s an independent but leans toward Republican values and is considering becoming a Tea Party member. “I think the only way we’ll get it turned around is on the grassroots level,” he said. Walker County Tea Party organizer James Groce estimated 30 to 40 of the attendees were from Whitfield County. The rest were from Tea Party organizations in other North Georgia counties interested in helping start the movement in Whitfield. Tea Parties are...

It's often said markets function better when there is gridlock in Washington, D.C. because there's less of a chance for government will interfere in the private sector, creating a sense of security. But in this day and time, that theory applies to the U.S. dollar as well. On CNBC's Dec. 17 "Squawk Box," CNBC Chicago Mercantile Exchange reporter Rick Santelli debated what was causing the recent rise in the U.S. dollar. Santelli, the original inspiration for the tea party movement, squared off with Jim Iuorio, CNBC "OptionsAction" regular and CME trader, about the cause - a weakened European economy or...

The Patriot Post · http://patriotpost.us The Time Has Come By Mark Alexander · Thursday, December 17, 2009 "It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth -- and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts. ... Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not?" --Patrick Henry The 2008 presidential election was much more than a referendum on the two candidates; it was a referendum on the ability...

For the first time, the Democratic Party now trails behind the Tea Party movement -- 45 percent view the Democrats unfavorably while only 35 percent view it favorably according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll. And fans of the Tea Party movement far outnumber those who support the Republican Party -- 28 percent view the Republican Party positively, and 43 percent see it in a negative light. Meanwhile, the Tea Party movement is earning a 41-23 percent score. This has led to reports that internal conflict has led to problems in the overall movement. One CNN story suggests that "some...

Obama's numbers and Dems' generic congressional ballot both drop By Thomas Schaller There's a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll out. The numbers are grim for Democrats and Barack Obama, but more to the point, the country continues to express a general and very real disgust. Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg of NBC's First Read summarize the major findings this way: In the poll, Obama's approval has dropped below 50% (to 47%); his party faces its first net-negative fav/unfav since Sept. 2007; and one-third think he has the right goals and priorities to fix the economy....

The early campaign for the 2010 Republican nomination for the 16th Congressional District seat has spurred a letter-writing campaign, generating accusations that GOP party bosses are trying to circumvent voters. At the center of the storm is a letter from the district's four Republican Party county chairmen claiming Jim Renacci of Wadsworth is the "best candidate" to defeat first-term incumbent Democrat John Boccieri in a potential showdown that is drawing national attention. The letter did not mention the other two declared candidates, former Ashland County commissioner Matt Miller and conservative talk radio host and Canton resident Paul Schiffer. GOP party...

Rob Wittman was 40 minutes late to his town hall meeting in Montross on Dec. 8, where he received less than the hometown treatment from TEA Party members. Held at Washington and Lee High School, the town hall meeting, sponsored by the Westmoreland County Citizens Association, was the public's opportunity to question Wittman on everything the actions of Congress and federal government. While many questions posed to Wittman, first congressional district representative, dealt with health care and the economy, the show was quickly stolen by TEA Party members. Catherine Crabill, former Republican candidate for the 99th district seat in Virginia's...

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro Just how angry is the public with the country's two leading political parties? Angry enough that the conservative, libertarian-leaning Tea Party movement is more popular than either the Democratic or the Republican parties, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. The Republican Party maintains its net-negative favorable/unfavorable rating in the poll, with 28 percent viewing it positively and 43 percent seeing it in a negative light. For the first time in more than two years, the Democratic Party also now holds a net-negative fav/unfav, at 35-45 percent. By comparison, the NBC/WSJ...

On December 16, 2007, supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul broke the all time fundraising record by raising $6 million in a single day, holding tea parties throughout the USA to protest an oppressive government. The sentiment spread like a flame of liberty across the entire country, as more people became aware of the dangers government control poses to their lives, liberty and property. Millions of people from all political backgrounds now participate in local tea parties, and are proving too volatile to channel into supporting politics as usual, causing headaches for politicians of both parties who would ignore...

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico MontanaroJust how angry is the public with the country's two leading political parties? Angry enough that the conservative, libertarian-leaning Tea Party movement is more popular than either the Democratic or the Republican parties, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. The Republican Party maintains its net-negative favorable/unfavorable rating in the poll, with 28 percent viewing it positively and 43 percent seeing it in a negative light. For the first time in more than two years, the Democratic Party also now holds a net-negative fav/unfav, at 35-45 percent. By comparison, the NBC/WSJ poll...

WSJ/NBC News Poll: Tea Party Tops Democrats and Republicans By Susan Davis The loosely organized group made of up mostly conservative activists and independent voters that’s come to be known as the Tea Party movement currently boasts higher favorability ratings than either the Democratic or Republican Parties, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll coming out later today. More than four in 10, 41%, of respondents said they had a very or somewhat favorable view of the Tea Party movement, while 24% said they had a somewhat or very negative view of the group. The Tea Party movement...

It’s been said that when life gives you lemons you make lemonade. So it is with politics. The GOP’s 2008 election defeat planted and watered the seeds of what the party has been in need of for a long time – a real conservative revolution. The good news is that Barack Obama is making it all possible. He and the Democrat leadership are providing Americans with a vivid reminder of everything they don’t like about liberalism. As White House Chief of Staff Rham Emanuel was credited with saying after Obama took office, ”a crisis is a terrible thing to waste”....

While the detonation of a nuclear weapon in the United States is considered highly unlikely, Los Angeles and other U.S. cities are preparing for such a disaster by assessing old bomb shelters and preparing emergency response plans, the Los Angeles Daily News reported Monday.