Free Republic

Rick Perry told worshipers at the First Wesleyan Church here Sunday morning that they should disregard “the politically correct police” who say the separation of church and state means faith has no place in public life. “As a matter of fact, you are Biblically charged to take your values into the public arena,” the Texas governor told 90 worshipers. “You will be criticized, but do not be intimidated,” he added. “Somebody’s values are going to decide the issues of the day, whatever they may be. Whatever policies are being discussed … somebody’s values are going to be installed, if you...

New York (AP) - When Meghan McCain said on national TV recently that Senate GOP hopeful Christine O'Donnell "is seen as a nut job," the reaction from the right was swift and furious, with critics bashing everything from McCain's lack of experience to her judgment to, well, her anatomy.So now that she's had time to reflect - after all, she does call herself "a work in progress" - would she like to tone it down a notch?Um, no."I DO think she's a nut job," the very uninhibited, 26-year-old daughter of John McCain said in an interview this week. "I say...

Levi Johnston's 15 minutes were up an hour ago. Nevertheless, he "gets crackin" in an advertisement for pistachio nuts. The Wonderful Pistachio contest offered this video as inspiration for the public to submit their own entries. The advertisement makes a tasteless "does it with protection" reference that only calls attention to Johnston's own shortcomings. Still, the ad was deemed appropriate by the Wonderful Pistachio folks. Are all politics fair game, I wonder? There are more than a few Democrats that might qualify as nuts, anyone have a commercial they would like to submit? The grand prize is $25,000 which certainly...

This is a total "Gag Alert" video, but very illustrative of how a person can try to parlay incidental fame into a career. The video shows comedian Kathy Griffin attending the "Teen Choice Awards" with former Bristol Palin fiance' Levi Johnston. The "Gag Alert" says all that is necessary about the dialogue between the two on camera. The Left is using Johnson as a prop and obviously consider him a joke. He is too much of a dolt to even know it. Kathy Griffin has it in for Palin, as demostrated by the video below just before the 2008 Election...

Meghan McCain says we need to take back Twitter from the creepy people—like Karl Rove, "America’s Toughest Sheriff," and the other undesirables who now follow her every Tweet. Karl Rove follows me on Twitter. That’s creepy. I joined Twitter a few months ago; so far, it has been a liberating way to transition from political to personal blogging. It’s allowed me to share the less-serious aspects and humorously uncensored moments of my life. But there’s also been a downside: I am now being followed by Karl Rove, and my local sheriff, and God knows how many other political pundits. We...

John McCain's 24-year-old daughter Meghan has a book deal! Sources say Hyperion has prevailed over at least three other publishers in an auction that began earlier this week, following a round of meetings during which the in-your-face young conservative and the literary agent she shares with her father, Sterling Lord Literistic president Flip Brophy, discussed a number of possible approaches to the book with editors around town. Several sources said the advance Ms. McCain will receive from Hyperion, which is owned by the Disney Company, is in the high six figures.

So in Eminem's new video, he's in the sack with a Sarah Palin clone when he breaks wind. How edgy. How in your face. Way to speak truth to power — even if it's from your ass. But what do you expect from a white, balding rapper about to hit 40 and desperately clinging to any shred of relevance — not unlike his white, balding fans already over forty desperately clinging to jobs in telemarketing.

CBS) Paris Hilton says she knows what people want, and she's about to give it to them. The hotel heiress and star of the reality show "The Simple Life" releases her debut album, "Paris," on Aug. 22. "It's a very fun album, it's very eclectic mix of music," Hilton tells CBS News correspondent Drew Levinson. "I know music very well, and what people like. I want to incorporate hip-hop, rock, pop and dance all into one album." Will it be popular? "I think everyone will enjoy it," Hilton says. Hilton rose to fame as a party girl and red-carpet regular...

More than 20,000 Dixie Chicks fans in Houston bought the band's latest album, the 1.5 million-selling Taking the Long Way. That much is clear, along with the fact that the Dixie Chicks' Houston concert date was canceled. The promoter blames the radio stations. Initial reports cited slow ticket sales. But tickets for the Toyota Center show never went on sale. The country radio stations credit their listeners with the cancellation and blame the Chicks for a bad attitude. The fans will have to book trips to Dallas or Austin. Louis Messina, president of the Messina Group, the Houston-based concert promoter...

U.S. anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan gestures next to Social- Democrat Party Leader Alfred Gusenbauer during a news conference at Vienna's airport June 19, 2006. Sheehan arrived in Vienna to support protesters during the visit of U.S. President Bush in Vienna, Wednesday, June 21, 2006.

But don't question theirs (gallon-sized hat tip: Coalition of the Swilling)... The Chicks can't hide their disgust at the lack of support they received from other country performers. "A lot of artists cashed in on being against what we said or what we stood for because that was promoting their career, which was a horrible thing to do," says Robison. "A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism." "The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism,"...

NEW YORK — The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines apologized for disrespecting President George W. 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."

LOS ANGELES - Paris Hilton's mother can only imagine what her celebrity daughter got her for Mother's Day. That's because thieves stole the gifts before Kathy Hilton received them. A gift bag containing nearly $10,000 worth of Christian Dior shoes, sunglasses, handbags and perfume was taken from outside the Hilton home, spokesman Elliot Mintz said Monday. The younger Hilton "spent three or four hours shopping to put together this wonderful collection of things for her mom," Mintz said. A delivery person set the package down outside the home's gate to ring the intercom when a passenger in a passing car...

It was hard to feel blessed today as I sat at Casey's grave here in Vacaville, California. Sure, a lot of good things have happened in my sphere of influence this year, but the blessings are always hampered by the reason for the blessings. If Casey had not been killed in Iraq in George's imperialistic war for power and wealth, I wouldn't be on this path. I wish to God I weren't on this path. But I am, so here are the blessings I am thankful for this year. The main blessings that I can thankfully still count are my...

Cindy Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in action in Iraq on April 4, 2004, has become the face of the anti-war movement in the United States. While her grief is understandable, her rhetoric is outrageous. As the mother of a son killed in battle in Iraq, she originally struck a sympathetic chord, whether you supported the war in Iraq or opposed it. One cannot help but empathize with the agony of a bereaved mother. But that has changed over the months, and I believe that many Americans who viewed her with sympathy no longer do so. Many Americans, myself...

After Action Report of rally in Indiana This photo essay was created to mark another day in Indiana history when real Americans came out to show their passionate concern and love for their country. The Pro-US rally in Indianapolis on September 5th was a huge success. Days of planning and work paid off when flag waving patriots lined the steps of the Indiana War Museum holding signs honoring our brave men and women of the US Armed Forces. Gold Star and Blue Star military families and some with family members currently serving in Iraq came to express their support for...

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan has canceled three visits to Colorado after emotions over her protest outside President Bush's ranch boiled over at a church and college campus. A Glenwood Springs church voted Thursday not to allow Sheehan to give a speech scheduled for later this month after some members threatened to leave the church if she came. Church member Mo Barz said he thinks it is inappropriate for the church to host a political speaker. "I was definitely against having her," he said. "I felt all along the church should rescind any agreement they had to have her be there."...

LOS ANGELES - Actor Tom Sizemore was ordered Friday to remain in a live-in drug rehabilitation program until he is sentenced in September for violating his probation on drug charges, his prosecutor said. Sizemore admitted to a series of violations, including falsifying his urine tests by using a prosthetic device and failing to submit to drug testing on eight occasions, said Deputy District Attorney Sean Carney. The actor was nearly a no-show in court, arriving several hours late for Friday's hearing. His attorney, Michael Rovell, said Sizemore had been in the rehabilitation facility since July 11 and requested Thursday that...

GLENEAGLES, Scotland, July 6 (Reuters) - Irish rock star and anti-poverty activist Bono on Wednesday gave up his fight to persuade Canada to boost foreign aid -- but not before telling Prime Minister Paul Martin he was a pain to deal with. Bono, like his fellow Irish rock star Bob Geldof, had openly pressed Martin to give a date by which Canada would raise its overseas assistance to 0.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product. Martin refuses, saying it could be too expensive, and stuck to his guns during a meeting with Bono on the margins of a Group of Eight...

You know honey, I ran a marathon like this when I was in Cambodia for Christmas...