Free Republic

I may be alone in feeling this way, but I am now convinced that it is time to resurrect an old concept. You don't pay Federal income taxes (and I don't mean because you have ample write-offs)? You don't vote. Yes, I fully understand the complexities of such a stance. I know the cries of "Jim Crow" that will blare from the left-wing media, et al. Still, our recent history (culminating in yesterday's passing of Washington's biggest power grab in decades) shows the efficacy of such a policy. We've all seen the recent numbers that reveal what percentage of Americans...

America, you've been had. Let's talk about the American citizenry first, shall we? You didn't pay attention in school. You wafted through high school and eventually collected a worthless piece of paper (assuming you ever graduated) that declared you "educated". You weren't. You listened to years of liberal lies, smears, obfuscations, twisted "logic", inanities...and you bought them all. Aided and abetted by a far-Left major media, you allowed a smooth talking community organizer with a non-existent resume' to become President of the United States. You didn't care who or what he really was. You were told that none of that...

OK OK.....I know this may seem a silly and simplistic topic/post in such an age. Still, I just wanted to share a little "trick" with my fellow FReepers that has served me very well over the years. I've taught this to many; all have been grateful. We all, especially us FReepers, take in so much information in a typical day (work, home, FR, TV, talk radio, etc.) that often it is very difficult to recall certain facts; certain information. You know that feeling...."..oh darn it, what's-his-name....I can't remember"; or "...oh you know, that movie with...ummm....dang it...". Here's the key: NEVER...

As I've listened to the discussions of the proposed financial market "bailout"....something has finally sunk in. OK, actually.....two things. First....it's going to be unbelievably expensive. We're all going to pay the price for the irresponsibility of Democrat policies/politicians and reckless Wall Streeters. Argue that all you wish, but that's a fact. Second.....as Mr. Obama goes about building his entire campaign on ridiculously expensive, Socialist programs for everything from health care to education to...yes...home ownership, how on earth can he continue to propose such HUGE price tags in light of this new, massive financial burden that is about to be placed...

I mentioned this superb list of rules/suggestions for fitness and weight loss in another thread, and my FReepmail box filled pretty quickly. :) To keep this brief: The Lovely Wife and I got into weight lifting (strength training) a few years ago, and one of the companies from whom we purchased sports supplememts (whey protein, etc.) issues a monthly email newsletter. This particular one I kept, because to my mind, it is the best......by FAR........encapsulation of the things we should all do to lose weight and keep fit. Anything and everything I have learned about fitness fit in these "rules"...

No big deal to hardly anyone but me, but today.....ol' RightOnline turned the Big Five-Oh. The Half Century Club. Halfway to centenarian and greetings from the fat guy on the Today Show...... I just thought I would take a few moments, after a thoroughly wonderful day, to share a few things I've picked up or things I've reflected on today with my beloved fellow FReepers (and you ARE just that, beloved ......well, as a group....some of ya.....well.....) 1. Whatever 50 is supposed to feel like, I don't feel it. I lift weights 5 days a week and am in better...

With Jim Robinson's permission (hopefully) and the cooperation of fellow FReepers, I'd like to reprise a "tradition" I began here some years ago on this Forum. Today is the day that we, as a Nation, specifically set aside to express our thanks to all who have donned a uniform, rendered a salute, said 'good bye' to loved ones to travel to distant lands, and otherwise committed themselves to the defense of the United States of America. This is your day, FReeper veterans. Whether you served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other of the countless...

TO: All Graduates and Friends of the AOG SUBJECT LINE: Core Values to be New Words above the Warrior Ramp Below is information we received from the Academy today regarding the new words to be used above the Warrior Ramp. Because of our commitment to keep the graduate community and our friends informed on recent developments at USAFA, we are distributing this announcement as quickly as possible. James A. Shaw, ‘67 Col, USAF (Ret) President & CEO Association of Graduates After the “Bring Me Men” words were removed from above the Warrior Ramp in March of 2003 the Academy sought...

It is with great pride that I, RightOnline, and The Lovely Wife (aka "RightOnlinesWife") announce the commissioning of our eldest son (oldest of our seven children), known to fellow FReepers as "Future Snake Eater", as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. F.S.E. was commissioned on Friday afternoon, then received his B.A. degree the following day from NC State University. Combined with his recent marriage to his lovely new bride at the end of February, this has been quite the past few months for the RightOnline household and Future Snake Eater. He will soon leave for Infantry Officer Training...

[We've all seen these kind of things before, but as a former AF airplane driver myself, have to say this was the funniest such collection I've ever seen. Hope y'all enjoy these as much as we did here.] ============================================================ Here are some conversations that airline passengers normally will never hear. The following are accounts of actual exchanges between airline pilots and control towers around the world. Tower: "Delta 351, you have traffic at 10 o'clock, 6 miles!" Delta 351: "Give us another hint! We have digital watches!" ============================================================ "TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 Degrees." "Centre, we are...

Salute to FReeper Veterans; Check in!(Originally posted 11 Nov 1999) Salute to FReeper Veterans; Check in!: THREAD #2 (Originally posted 13 Nov 2000) While splashing some coffee into my eyes in a feeble attempt to wake up (early plane to catch this AM), I still wanted to take a moment and express my...and I'm sure "our"...appreciation to all of you veterans. We salute you on this Veterans Day for your sense of duty, commitment, honor, and sacrifice. Whether you served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, or any number of other "hot spots" around the globe, may...

Received this in an email today, folks. Thought many of you might appreciate it. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you have worn the uniform this one will get you!!! A little background - The German Army is at Gates of all military installations in Germany providing entry control on a 24 X 7 basis to relieve US Forces that are in middle east.. A different perspective on our German allies. Our governments may be at odds over Iraq Policy - but Military understands Military Here are our Allies! Sunday, 30 March 2003 As usual I was running late. So, you can imagine my...

Just a heads up for fellow North Carolinians......one hell of a storm front heading towards the Raleigh area / central N. Carolina. Watch your news carefully; tornado WARNINGS in effect right now.

Now that all is decided except how much French tourists will be charged for parking tickets in post-war Iraq, I want to temporarily divert the attention of my fellow FReepers onto a truly serious topic. I'm talking, of course, about...........grilling. The Lovely Wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary yesterday, and as part of our mutually-decided "extended celebration" of our Silver Anniversary, we decided as one of our little fun things planned to get a new grill. Stop laughing. We like to grill. A lot. You see, we figured that all too often, couples that reach this point have...

I received an email early this morning from a stranger.........a stranger who sought me out to tell me that an old high school buddy had died, quite suddenly, of a heart attack. No, he wasn't famous. His name was Bruce Parker. We went to high school together in the early '70's in Huntsville, Alabama. Being close to the Tennessee border, a few of us would often get together and drive across the border to some little bar or liquor store (the drinking age was 18 in Tennessee in those days; you know, before Uncle Sugar blackmailed everyone into raising it...

Some late breaking news on the affairs in the Middle East...... Southern Humor/NC division SPECIAL FORCES The Pentagon is developing a strategy to use a new elite special forces unit from North Carolina in search of remaining Taliban/Al Queda troops along the Afghan/Pakistan border. Billy Bob, Bubba, Boo, Jimmie, Scooter, and Cooter are being sent to the region after being briefed with the following information on the Taliban/Al Queda: 1. The season on 'em just opened and there's no limit. 2. They taste just like chicken if you grill 'em right. 3. They don't like pickups, George Jones, football, or...

Human Rights Watch’s mission is to protect and advance human rights, and our research and advocacy on corporate responsibility is shaped by these concerns alone. Human Rights Watch takes no position on trade or development policies per se. But in an interconnected world where very large and influential transnational corporations compete for finite resources and new markets, human rights and trade are increasingly intertwined. Companies that trade in essential commodities—oil, gas, or electricity—exemplify this phenomenon. In recent years, the energy industry has been embroiled in controversy because of its alleged involvement in situations of human rights violations throughout the world. ...

I apologize for the vanity, folks, but The Lovely Wife and I were just watching Sheperd Smith's report (sp?) on Fox News Channel..........and they showed footage of the official opening of Clinton's Presidential Library. Guess who didn't make the event? Believe it or not..............Hillary and Chelsea. "The First Black President"........."the greatest President to ever live", etc., etc.,..............Mr. "I Feel Your Pain", Mr. "Compassion" couldn't even draw the wife and daughter to his own Presidential Library opening. As my most-insightful, cut-to-the-quick-in-few-words Lovely Wife pointed out, "They're not even pretending any more, are they?"

LAUNCELOT: Have we got bows? ARTHUR: No. LAUNCELOT: We have the Holy Hand Grenade. ARTHUR: Yes, of course! The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch! 'Tis one of the sacred relics Brother Maynard carries with him! Brother Maynard! Bring up the Holy Hand Grenade! MONKS: [chanting] Pie Iesu domine, dona eis requiem. Pie Iesu domine, dona eis requiem. Pie Iesu domine, dona eis requiem. Pie Iesu domine, dona eis requiem. ARTHUR: How does it, um-- how does it work? LAUNCELOT: I know not, my liege. ARTHUR: Consult the Book of Armaments! BROTHER MAYNARD: Armaments, chapter two, verses nine to twenty-one. SECOND ...

"Sir, may I see your identification and permits?" "Ma'am, I need to inspect your house. There are too many cars coming and going from here." "Your business is closed for zoning violations. You don't meet my definition of a museum." Sound like Germany in the 30's? It does, doesn't it? Surprise! These quotes are taken not from SS troopers, but from city zoning officials, and not from Nuremberg, but from a little town called Provo in Utah, one of the most conservative states in the Union. Once, a decade or so ago, Provo and its sister city Orem were rated ...