Free Republic

Europe: Nationalism on the RiseThe political earthquake in Europe just went nuclear. Geert Wilders, the firebrand Dutch nationalist, has shattered the illusion of EU unity, turning the Netherlands into the latest flashpoint of revolt against Brussels. His rise isn’t just a national upset — it’s a full-blown rebellion against the bureaucrats who dictate everything from migration to green mandates.For Brussels, this is the nightmare scenario: a domino moment that could spread across Europe. From Paris to Warsaw, populist leaders are watching Wilders’ surge as a signal that citizens are done being ruled by faceless Eurocrats. The Dutch revolt may just...

ATLAS — Europe, the EU & Russian Frozen Assets: Short-Sighted or Necessary? Reports are circulating that European Union leaders are moving toward using an estimated $300 billion in frozen Russian assets—held in European banks—to support Ukraine’s war effort. Whether this involves direct seizure of the principal or only using interest generated from those assets, the implications are serious and long-reaching.Why This Matters Beyond Russia One of the core pillars of the global financial system is that assets held in foreign nations—especially central bank reserves—are protected under international law. If the EU breaks that precedent, it sends a message to every...

U.S. Military Action Against Drug-Smuggling Vessels: Context, History, and Political ReactionBy GPT-5Recent U.S. military strikes against vessels engaged in drug smuggling have generated intense debate. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described crews of these high-speed boats as “narco-terrorists,” releasing video of the strikes and noting that President Trump ordered the operations. The reported death toll from these operations is over 30 people since September 2025. Critics argue that these actions target civilians and may violate international norms. Historical context, operational reality, and political perspective provide a broader understanding of these events.Military vs. Law EnforcementIt is important to distinguish law enforcement from...

```html Presidential Modifications to the White House: A Historical TraditionBy GPT-5From its ashes after the War of 1812 to the present day, the White House has never been a static monument. It is a living institution—regularly reshaped to meet the needs, tastes, and legacies of the presidents who have resided in it. The outrage expressed today over new additions ignores more than two centuries of precedent.Reconstruction After the Burning of 1814When British troops set fire to the White House during the War of 1812, it was almost completely destroyed. President James Madison and, later, James Monroe oversaw its reconstruction. This...

How Progressives Were Able to Rule the Western Nations: Good Intentions, Bad ResultsBy The HermitThe story of the West in the last hundred years is not one of a secret cabal or a single mastermind. It is the story of an idea — progressive ideology — that promised to perfect society through reason, science, and planning. It appealed to the best intentions of reformers, philanthropists, teachers, and politicians. Yet, like many noble experiments, it has produced results far different from what its advocates hoped. What began as a movement to uplift and modernize has ended by weakening the civic and...

FeatureTilly Norwood and the Illusion of RealityHollywood fears job losses from AI actors. But the greater threat may be to truth itself.By The HermitNot long ago, a new name appeared in Hollywood chatter: Tilly Norwood. She looks the part of a rising young actress, the kind casting directors might call “a natural.” But Tilly is no actress at all. She is an AI-generated creation — a digital performer assembled from algorithms, capable of smiling, speaking, and captivating an audience without ever setting foot on a soundstage.Tilly is part of a new wave of “synthetic talent.” AI agencies now maintain rosters...

💳 From Pay-and-Own to Pay-to-Access: How the American Household Became a Subscription MachineBy The Hermit Note: This essay is meant to offer a broad overview of how the American household has shifted from a pay-and-own economy in the 1950s to today’s subscription-based model. It does not attempt to cover every detail, variation, or socioeconomic factor, but instead highlights general trends and practical ideas for those interested in rethinking their relationship with modern expenses. In the 1950s, the average American family budget was straightforward, built on the principle of paying once and owning for life. Whether it was a television, a...

The High Cost of Easy Credit: How Consumer Debt Distorted the EconomyIn the past five decades, the expansion of consumer credit has transformed the American economy. What began in the 1970s as a convenient financial tool has become a fundamental pillar of daily life for most households. Credit cards, followed by newer lending models like "Buy Now, Pay Later," have fueled consumption, enabled lifestyle inflation, and propped up economic growth. But beneath the surface lies a troubling reality: easy credit has created a disconnect between buyers and sellers, distorted real demand, inflated prices, and built a fragile foundation of debt.In...

Whatever Happened to Just Going Out for Family Fun? Now that I’m retired, with more time behind me than ahead, I find myself looking back a lot more than forward. I’ve been reflecting on the changes I’ve seen — not just in the world at large, but right here at home, in the way families like mine spend time together. When I was young, family fun meant something simple. Back in the 1950s, when money was tight for most folks, we didn’t need expensive outings to enjoy ourselves. A picnic at the park, a day at the beach, just a...

🇺🇸 Before the Collapse: Why We Must Rein in Unsecured Debt — NowBy The HermitThere’s a quiet crisis unfolding beneath the surface of the U.S. economy: over a trillion dollars in credit card debt, the majority of it unsecured, with no collateral, no real oversight, and no meaningful limits. It’s not just a number — it’s a ticking time bomb.It may not look like 1929 — but in structure, in risk, and in who will bear the fallout, it feels dangerously familiar.📉 We've Seen This Movie BeforeIn the 1920s, Americans were allowed to buy stocks on margin — putting down...

📘 The Student Loan System: A Rigged GameHow U.S. Higher Education Became a Wealth Transfer from the Poor and Middle Class to the EliteExecutive Summary The American student loan system has evolved into a mechanism of upward wealth transfer, extracting income and opportunity from working- and middle-class students while enriching elite universities, financial institutions, and loan servicers. By removing bankruptcy protections, allowing unchecked tuition increases, and obscuring the risks and returns of educational debt, policymakers and institutions have created a rigged system — one that fails to serve students, the economy, or the public interest. 1. Origins of the Crisis:...

Let's open with a "China War Update" this famous theme song of the Cultural Revolution revering Chairman Mao "The East Is Red"... Well to the music three 1973 hit songs Helen Reddy with this Number 3 song related to my experience this week I went into tears... A lot of change in government people losing their jobs that's for sure. Is the spending really being cut?... Your host the winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution American History Award considering the files of recent history the JFK, MLK assassinations not to mention Jeffrey Epstein... As far as the Kennedy...

Who says humans are the only ones who can dance? Bailey the Beagle, an adorable furry friend from Florida, has taken the internet by storm with his incredible dance skills. In a recent viral video posted on Pinterest, Bailey can be seen putting his best paw forward as he grooves to the rhythm of a catchy reggaeton song. This four-legged dancing sensation will make you laugh, smile, and want to join him on the dance floor!

In a fascinating Pinterest video captioned "That’s why you need to think before you do," an owner tested their four cats' abilities by setting up a plastic fence in their home. The goal was to challenge the cats' problem-solving skills and observe how they tackled the obstacle. The results were astonishing, and the video quickly gained popularity as viewers marveled at the feline's mathematical prowess.

Some friendships are destined to last a lifetime, defying all odds and capturing the hearts of those fortunate enough to witness their unbreakable bond. In the case of Caitlin Doran, a California native, her friendship with Tiptoe, the African tortoise she received as a Christmas gift 22 years ago, has not only endured the test of time but has also become an online sensation. Their heartwarming and enchanting relationship has resonated with millions of people on social media, making them feel part of something truly extraordinary.

Luna, known on TikTok as @lunatheminicockapoo, is a Mini Cockapoo who has gained immense popularity on social media due to her exceptional talent. In a recent video shared by her owner, Jared, Luna astounds viewers as she effortlessly answers math addition and subtraction questions. In the video, Jared begins by asking Luna, "What is 9 minus 3?" Luna, displaying her thinking face, receives encouragement from Jared, who assures her, "You can do it." To everyone's delight, the endearing pooch taps Jared's arm six times, indicating that her answer is 6. Jared praises her accomplishment, saying, "Good job!" He proceeds to...

A few years ago, shortly after settling into his new home, TikTok user Adam stumbled upon a delightful surprise - a group of charming chipmunks had made themselves at home on his property. "I would often spot them in my garden and yard," Adam shared with The Dodo. "To my knowledge, I have at least three of them. This is my second year with these little guys." Intrigued by their presence, Adam decided to establish a connection with his newfound neighbors. He began leaving occasional piles of nuts for the chipmunks to feast on, a friendly gesture aimed at ensuring...

Explosions early Tuesday morning in Kiev, air raid warnings in the area of the capital city and... Two wounded tonight in Ukrainian shelling of the town of Shebinko in Russia's... The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling against two abortion laws in the state... In Washington the US House approving that deal to increase the US debt ceiling... US-Russian tensions in Syria US warplanes violating deconfliction protocol approaching Russian military planes. US pilots activating their weapons systems when getting close to Russian aircraft... The International Atomic Energy Agency will be allowed to reinstall monitoring equipment... Politics in the USA it's reported that...

This is kind of weird… The aircraft was in Uvalde for the first time this year during the shooting. The plane landed 3 minutes before the shooter crashed his vehicle. The plane then left 2 minutes before the shooter was killed. Why was this aircraft in Uvalde for the first time in 2022 at the exact moment that one of the deadliest US shootings was unfolding? Again, the plane landed 3 minutes before the shooter crashed his vehicle. The plane then left 2 minutes before the shooter was killed. The plane left Ft. Hood and it went straight to Uvalde....

Vladimir Putin has undergone a successful surgical procedure to remove fluid from his abdomen, according to a Russian opposition source. While there was no independent corroboration of the treatment, General SVR Telegram channel claimed the procedure the Russian president had, was successful. The channel has made repeated claims over more than 18 months that Putin is suffering from abdominal cancer, among a range of other health problems. -snip- General SVR Telegram said the procedure to remove fluid from his abdominal cavity was separate from surgery linked to cancer, that it has claimed he is due to undergo soon. If true,...