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Oil Slips After Hitting Three-Year High

By Christopher Alessi and Alison Sider Features Dow Jones Newswires

Oil prices fell Friday as some investors cashed in on the week's strong gains and others mulled ambiguous U.S. inventory data.

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U.S. crude futures fell 57 cents, or 0.92%, to $61.44 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent, the global benchmark, fell 45 cents, or 0.66%, to $67.62 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.

Prices had closed at a fresh three-year high Thursday, on the back of declining U.S. crude stockpiles and perceived geopolitical risk to supply because of antigovernment protests in Iran. Both benchmarks ended the week higher for a third week in a row, with West Texas Intermediate up 1.69% and Brent up 1.12%.

But the higher prices have also spurred more concern about rising production in places like the U.S., where companies have been locking in the higher prices for this year's output.

"I think it's just gotten overbought and a bit tired," said Ric Navy, senior vice president for energy futures at RJ O'Brien & Associates. "There's a lot of talk of more and more production, more and more hedging," he said.

The decline Friday was "more related to profit-taking after a good week, " said Giovanni Staunovo, a commodity analyst at UBS Wealth Management.

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Mr. Staunovo said the market was likely also reconsidering petroleum-stocks data released yesterday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The agency reported a 7.4 million decline in crude barrels for the week ended Dec. 29, but said gasoline inventories rose by 4.8 million barrels and distillate stocks climbed by 8.9 million barrels, as refineries increased utilization rates.

"It's just moving crude from one barrel to another one," Mr. Staunovo said.

Analysts at TAC Energy said oil's move lower "looks like a natural correction of the ongoing bull market." Still, they said relatively steady gasoline and diesel prices, despite the big builds in stockpiles, are a sign that "bulls are firmly in control of the petroleum complex for now."

The increase in distillate inventories was the highest single weekly build over the past year, according to consultancy JBC Energy.

Gasoline stocks fell mainly as a result of sharp fall in demand, as a "seasonal lull in demand began in earnest," according to analysts at brokerage PVM Oil Associates Ltd. Distillates, the analysts added, suffered from "a dip in domestic consumption and fall in exports."

However, extreme weather conditions in the U.S. Northeast should increase demand and crack spreads for distillates such as diesel and heating oil, according to analysts at Commerzbank.

Gasoline futures fell 2.09 cents, or 1.16%, to $1.7858 a gallon. Diesel futures fell 1.83 cents, or 0.88%, to $2.0587 a gallon.

Oil market observers will be looking ahead to an EIA report Jan. 9 outlining the agency's outlook for 2019 and the implications for U.S. crude production.

Write to Christopher Alessi at christopher.alessi@wsj.com and Alison Sider at alison.sider@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 05, 2018 15:34 ET (20:34 GMT)


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Here's What's Causing Investors to Sell La Jolla Pharmaceutical Shares Today

Markets Motley Fool

What happened

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After industry watchers at J.P. Morgan downgraded shares to an underweight rating, La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (NASDAQ: LJPC) was nosediving 12.6% at 1 p.m. EST.

So what

La Jolla Pharmaceutical reported positive phase 3 results earlier this year for LJPC-501, a drug that may help people suffering from a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. The company followed up that news with a filing for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; a decision is expected on Feb. 28, 2018.

The upcoming decision by the FDA offers a catalyst that could be meaningful for La Jolla, but there's no guarantee that the FDA will approve LJPC-501 or that if it does, it will win widespread use by doctors. The binary risk associated with a decision on this drug makes owning shares ahead of the FDA decision a risky gamble.

Hesitation in warming up to La Jolla Pharmaceutical might be explained by the fact that during its phase 3 trials, LJPC-501 didn't deliver a statistically significant improvement in overall survival or reducing organ failure, a secondary endpoint. It did deliver on its primary endpoint, though. LJPC-501 successfully increased the proportion of patients achieving a mean arterial pressure of at least 75 mmHg, or a 10 mmHg increase from baseline, three hours following the initiation of treatment, without increasing the need for standard-of-care vasopressors.

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Now what

It's never encouraging when analysts at respected firms recommend selling or underweighting shares, but investors should do their due diligence before jumping in or out of their shares. The upside is that an approval in February could provide some welcome revenue for the company. The downside is that absent an improvement in overall survival, it's anyone's guess how widespread the use of LJPC-501 could be if it's approved.

Overall, shock patients suffering from the condition LJPC-501 addresses have a 50% mortality rate, so there's a big need for treatment alternatives. It also shouldn't be ignored that the annual addressable market in the U.S. alone is in the hundreds of thousands of patients, many of whom don't respond to existing treatment approaches; that has some industry watchers thinking LJPC-501 could generate significant sales. Only time will tell if the bulls or bears are right on this one, but most investors should probably watch how this plays out from the sidelines for now.

10 stocks we like better than La Jolla Pharmaceutical
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David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and La Jolla Pharmaceutical wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

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*Stock Advisor returns as of December 4, 2017

Todd Campbell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. His clients may have positions in the companies mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Here's Where Things Went Wrong for Qualcomm Inc. in 2017

Markets Motley Fool

Shares of Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) dipped 2% in 2017, woefully underperforming the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index's 38% rally. Qualcomm's decline would likely have been even uglier if Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) hadn't tried to buy it for $105 billion.

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So where did things go wrong last year for Qualcomm, the biggest mobile chipmaker in the world? The answer boils down to three main themes: regulatory crackdowns, clashes with OEMs, and an inability to close its $38 billion buyout of NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI).

Qualcomm's regulatory woes

Qualcomm generates most of its revenue from sales of its Snapdragon SoCs (system on chips). But most of its profits come from licensing wireless patents to smartphone makers. Qualcomm usually takes a 3% to 5% cut of the wholesale price of each smartphone sold worldwide.

Regulators in many countries are probing that practice for two main reasons. First, taking a cut of the entire phone's wholesale price seems excessive when Qualcomm's patents only cover the wireless components. Second, Qualcomm allegedly leveraged those patents to drive competing mobile chipmakers out of the market with unfair licensing fees.

Qualcomm's biggest markets are China, South Korea, and Taiwan, and it's been sued by regulators in all three countries. In 2015, it agreed to pay a $975 million fine in China and change the way it calculated licensing fees.

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In early 2017, South Korean regulators fined Qualcomm one trillion won ($940 million) for similar reasons. Taiwanese regulators followed suit in October and fined Qualcomm $23.4 billion NT dollars ($790 million).

Qualcomm is appealing the fines in both countries, but it's doubtful that the fines will be completely dropped. It also faces similar probes in the U.S. and Europe.

Clashing with the OEMs

Smartphone makers were eager to pay Qualcomm licensing fees after Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) sparked the modern smartphone revolution with the first iPhone in 2007. However, that market is now heavily commoditized.

Canaccord Genuity recently said that only three OEMs -- Apple, Samsung (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF), and Huawei -- actually make a profit from their phones. Other OEMs are selling their devices at a loss. That's why many OEMs want Qualcomm to lower its licensing fees.

Apple is leading that charge against Qualcomm. First, it sued the chipmaker last year over unpaid "rebates" for its exclusive use of Qualcomm modems in previous iPhones. Apple claimed that Qualcomm withheld those payments in retaliation for its cooperation with the South Korean FTC during its regulatory probe.

Apple then sued Qualcomm in the U.S. and China, claiming that its licensing fees were unfair, and ordered its suppliers to suspend all licensing payments to Qualcomm. The latter retaliated by suing Apple's suppliers and attempting to block iPhone sales in China.

These legal clashes will likely drag on, but Apple is already exploring ways to replace Qualcomm's components in future iPhones and iPads. To make matters worse, Apple's revolt has reportedly convinced a second major OEM -- possibly Huawei -- to also withhold its licensing payments.

An uncertain future for NXP

Qualcomm announced its intention to buy NXP, the biggest automotive chipmaker in the world, in late 2016. However, all of Qualcomm's regulatory problems and clashes with OEMs have cast a long shadow over that deal.

U.S. regulators approved the deal last April, but it remains in limbo in the EU. Qualcomm tried to appease regulators by offering to purchase NXP without some of its patents, but it could need to make additional compromises to seal the deal.

Even if the EU approves the deal, NXP's investors might reject it. Activist investor Elliott Management, which holds a 6% stake in NXP, has been pushing for a higher offer of $135 per share, compared to Qualcomm's original offer of $110.

Investors apparently agree with Elliott -- the percentage of tendered NXP shares fell from almost 15% last February to less than 2% in December. If Qualcomm fails to close the NXP deal, it will lose a crucial foothold in the connected and driverless car market, which it needs to diversify its top line away from mobile chipsets and wireless licenses.

The road ahead

Analysts expect Qualcomm's woes to continue, with its revenue and earnings falling 2% and 17%, respectively, this year. The deterioration of its bottom line could endanger its dividend as its payout ratio hits historic highs.

On the bright side, Qualcomm's stock could rebound on another Broadcom offer, successful appeals in South Korea or Taiwan, an amicable resolution with Apple, or the approval of the NXP acquisition. Therefore, I'm not bullish on Qualcomm at these levels, but I wouldn't bet against it, either.

10 stocks we like better than Qualcomm
When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Qualcomm wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

Click here to learn about these picks!

*Stock Advisor returns as of January 2, 2018

Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of Qualcomm and has the following options: long January 2020 $150 calls on Apple and short January 2020 $155 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom Ltd and NXP Semiconductors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Trump must hold Iran accountable, Gen. Keane says

By Politics FOXBusiness

North Korea cyber threat all about money?

Gen. Jack Keane, Fox News senior strategic analyst, on the mounting threats from Iran and the cyber threat from North Korea.

Tensions are on the rise in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia says it has intercepted a ballistic missile near Riyadh, according to Saudi state media.

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General Jack Keane said the United States must see Iran as a top threat as they seek to dominate control in the Middle East.

“We have got to see Iran… as the number one malign actor in the Middle East,” Keane told the FOX Business’ Dagen McDowell on “Mornings with Maria.” “We have got to organize with the Sunni Arabs to push back comprehensively against Iran’s aggressive behavior.”

President Donald Trump laid out his plan for national security, on Monday, and touted America’s economy while putting “rivals” on notice. Gen. Keane added in order to suppress Iran, the United States must create a strategy with Saudi Arabia.

“We should, in Syria, with our Sunni Arab friends, we should be trying to contain Iran west of the Euphrates River Valley so they are not able to effectively put together a land bridge,” Keane said. “We’ve got to hold Iran accountable for the behavior of their proxies—that is the brilliance of their strategy.”

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What do you think?

Click the button below to comment on this article.


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No. 7 Florida gets by Savannah State as Boynton exits early

Patric Young posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six blocks, as the seventh-ranked Florida Gators overcame a subpar shooting effort to beat the Savannah State Tigers, 58-40, at the O'Connell Center.

Mike Rosario also scored 13 points for the Gators (4-0), who were never threatened despite connecting on just 35.4 percent of their shots.

"Offensively, we were not great tonight at all," said Florida coach Billy Donovan. "If we did not defend like we defended the whole entire game, we would have been in a dog fight all the way to the end. Defense saved us."

In the second half, Gators senior guard Kenny Boynton left the game with a left ankle sprain and didn't return. The team's leading scorer, Boynton made only one of his six shots and finished with five points.

Donovan doesn't expect Boynton to miss any games.

Rashad Hassan and Cedric Smith scored 11 points apiece for the Tigers (3-3), whose previous two losses this season had been by three points each to Middle Tennessee and UCF.

"Our guys kind of came out timid early; couldn't make shots," said Savannah State coach Horace Broadnax. "We played a good defensive game, but you have to put the ball in the basket."

Florida held Savannah State to 24 percent shooting over the opening 20 minutes on its way to building a 28-14 halftime lead. The Gators entered play ranked third in the nation in field-goal percentage defense at 29.7.

Game Notes

Erik Murphy supplied 10 points for the Gators, who held an 18-6 advantage in made free throws ... Florida improved to 24-0 all-time against MEAC teams ... The Gators posted a 113-67 victory over Savannah State in the school's only previous meeting on Jan. 18, 2006.


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Washington coach Penn State cautious about her team's advantages in second-round NCAA rematch

Penn State coach Coquese Washington would like to believe her team's experience beating LSU on the Lady Tigers' home court in the second round of last year's NCAA tournament would bode well for Tuesday night's rematch.

She'd be pleased if LSU's relative shortage of healthy players was something Penn State could exploit.

Washington suspects it won't be that simple, though. She says LSU looks comfortable playing with a short rotation and has played its best lately, winning eight of nine games.

LSU coach Nikki Caldwell says she's proud of how the Lady Tigers jelled and that they'll be OK as long as several players don't foul out. LSU started the tournament with eight players, but guard Jeanne Kenney's head injury in Sunday's first round victory could reduce that to seven.


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Chella Choi grabs 1-shot lead in Mobile

Chella Choi carded a 6-under 66 on Saturday to grab a 1-shot lead after three rounds of the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic.

Choi, who will go for her first LPGA Tour title on Sunday, ended 54 holes at 17-under-par 199. She broke Stacy Lewis' 54-hole scoring record by three strokes. Lewis set the old mark of 202 last year en route to victory.

Anna Nordqvist also set a record on Saturday as she fired an 11-under 61 for a new course record. That record was a day old as Sydnee Michaels carded a 62 on Friday.

Nordqvist ended three rounds at 16-under-par 200 and she was joined there by second-round leader Jessica Korda, who carded a 3-under 69 in round three.

Karrie Webb, who was paired with Korda on Saturday and will be again on Sunday, also shot 69 to end 54 holes at minus-15.

Jennifer Johnson is alone in fifth at 14-under 202 after a third-round 65 on the Crossings Course, which is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove.

Lewis (63) and Michaels (69) share sixth place at minus-13.

Korda was the overnight leader, but when she stumbled to a bogey on the second, that created 5-way tie for the lead at 12-under. She bounced back with a birdie at the third, but fell one back when Webb birdied three and four.

Nordqvist, who ran off five straight birdies from the third, and had back-to- back birdies at 10 and 11, joined Webb at 14-under with an eagle on the par-5 13th.

The Swede dipped one back with a bogey at 14, and Choi made a charge to grab her first share of the lead. Choi drained three birdies in a row from the fourth to get to minus-14, where she was tied with Webb.

Korda carded three birdies in a 4-hole span from the sixth to jump to 16- under, where she was tied with Nordqvist atop the leaderboard. Nordqvist posted three birdies in a row from the 15th before making par at the last.

"It's one of those days, where you feel like all your hard work and your patience is paying off," said Nordqvist. "You look back and you see yourself with a lot of confidence and know you can do it and believe in yourself."

Choi parred seven and eight, then faltered to a bogey on the ninth to make the turn at minus-13, where she was three back.

Around the turn, Korda tumbled three strokes behind Nordqvist. Korda bogeyed the 11th and double-bogeyed the 12th to dip to 13-under. She had taken the last two weeks off with a wrist injury, and confirmed to Golf Channel that she re-injured herself on No. 11.

While Korda was sliding backwards, Choi flew up the leaderboard. The 22-year- old Korean converted a birdie chance at the 11th, and followed with birdies at 12 and 13 to join Nordqvist at minus-16.

Choi, who was one group ahead of Korda, birdied the par-5 16th to take the lead for good. Choi then parred the last two to finish at minus-17.

"I think today was really good, I'm really happy," Choi said. "But tomorrow is another day."

Korda poured in a 33-foot eagle putt at 16 to get within one of the lead. She finished right there with a pair of pars on the last two holes.

"I didn't hit a bad shot. I hit a great shot down 12 and I ended up in a divot. I actually tried to hit it properly and I hit it really deep. The ground just came up faster than I thought it would and I kind of hurt my wrist a little bit," Korda explained. "And that got plugged on the side of the bunker, so the only way I could go was sideways, so you take what you can get.

"Then the hole after, my wrist hurt a little bit, so I just went bad shot after bad shot. I was just happy to get out of that hole."

NOTES: Choi leads after 54 holes for the first time in her LPGA Tour career ... Korda's bogey on the second snapped a streak of 50 consecutive bogey-free holes ... Webb made the cut for the 53rd straight LPGA Tour event.


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Court says illegal immigrants can't have guns

A federal appeals court says illegal immigrants don't have a right to own firearms under the U.S. Constitution.

Emmanuel Huitron-Guizar of Wyoming pleaded guilty to being an illegal immigrant in possession of firearms after his arrest last year. He was ordered held by immigration authorities at the Natrona County Detention Center in Wyoming.

An attorney for Huitron-Guizar appealed the case, saying illegal immigrants are not excluded from possessing firearms like felons and people who are mentally ill, and should have the same rights as U.S. citizens to buy a gun for hunting and protection.

The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver ruled Monday that illegal immigrants have only limited protection under the Constitution.

Huitron-Guizar's attorney, Ronald Pretty of Cheyenne, Wyo., says he plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

10th Circuit ruling,


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Senegal launches tribunal to try ex-Chad dictator, a major step toward Africa trying its own

Senegal officially launched its tribunal investigating former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre for alleged crimes against humanity on Friday, a move rights groups called a decisive turning point in the campaign to bring him to justice.

The tribunal, authorized by the African Union and approved by a vote in Senegal's parliament, marks a major step toward Africa dealing with its own alleged war criminals. Court administrator Cire Aly Ba announced the commencement of the work Friday.

"We are going to have a fair and just process," Ba said. "We also need to think about all of the victims who could not be here to experience these moments."

Habre faces accusations of torture, crimes against humanity and war crimes during his rule of Chad from 1982 to 1990. He has enjoyed 22 years of impunity after fleeing to Senegal — leaving behind a country strewn with mass graves.

A Chadian truth commission has accused Habre of more than 40,000 political killings during his eight-year rule, and a court there already has sentenced him to death in absentia.

"I have awaited this day for 22 years," said Souleymane Guengueng, who suffered for three years in prison under Habre and who was a founder for the Association of Victims of the Crimes of Hissene Habre's Regime. "I want to see Habre brought to justice before more victims die."

Alioune Tine, the president of a Senegalese rights group said the country can hold its head high today.

"My country is setting an example for the rest of Africa in proving that Africans can take care of their own problems," Tine said.

Senegal's parliament adopted a law in December that created the special tribunal to try Habre, the first step to end his impunity. Rights groups have been pushing Senegal for decades to try Habre, and the regime of ex-President Abdoulaye Wade, who was ousted in this year's election, was accused of purposely dragging its feet.

In 2005, Belgium indicted Habre based on complaints filed there by survivors of his regime. Brussels then brought Senegal before the court in The Hague after Senegalese authorities failed to extradite him. Belgium has offered to help finance the cost of special African tribunals within Senegal's court system.

Four chambers with judges appointed by the Senegalese government and Africa Union are mandated with prosecuting Habre and those responsible for crimes committed in Chad between 1982 and 1990. A start date for the trial has not yet been set. The inquiry is expected to take at least 15 months.


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Intra-district Transfers back button

Related Documents:
Intra-district Transfer Request Form

Parents are able to request a transfer for the student to attend a school out of their assigned zone within their district according to Law HB 251.
Transfer Requests are dependent on available classroom space and are not a guarantee.
Granted Requests allow the student to complete all grades at that school.  The parent shall assume the responsibility and cost of transportation of the student to and from the school.
Please fill out a separate request form for each student.  The Board of Education will always keep siblings in the same elementary school.
Transfer Requests Forms will be accepted between June 1, 2010 and July 23, 2010.  The form must be received at the Board of Education by 4:00 PM on July 23, 2010 or postmarked by July 23, 2010.
Franklin County Schools
Attn: Intra-district Transfers
280 Busha Road
Carnesville, GA  30521
706-384-4554 / 706-384-7472 (FAX)
Letters regarding the Franklin County School District's decision will be mailed on August 11, 2010. If your request is not granted, you are welcome to apply again next summer.

The Franklin County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, student programs and dealings with the public. It is the policy of the Franklin County Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and all accompanying regulations.

Click here for contact information
Click here for a list of CTAE Programs/Pathways


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Downtown Revitalization

Downtown Franklin Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project
The goals of the Downtown Improvement Project is to improve vehicular circulation and safety, improve emergency response time, improve the deteriorated conditions of certain secondary roadways, create a safer pedestrian friendly environment, improve the overall appearance of Downtown Franklin, and stimulate private sector investment.

Questions or Comments
For more information or questions regarding the Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project, please contact Franklin’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Bryan W. Taberner, at 508-520-4907 or send email. We look forward to hearing from you. Downtown Improvement Project Comment Form

General Project Description
The Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project is a multi-year $7.25 million roadway and streetscape improvement project. The project includes elimination of the one way traffic pattern of Route 140 in the Downtown area, installation of interconnected traffic signals with emergency preemption system, period streetlights, traffic calming devices, resetting curbs were needed, ADA compliant sidewalks, resurfacing of streets, and streetscape/landscape improvements and furniture.

Project Funding
The Town of Franklin has been awarded a $1 million Public Works Economic Development (PWED) grant (State funding), and a $5 million High Priority Project (HPP) grant (Federal funding); the HPP grant will be matched by roughly $1.25 million in State and local funds.

Project Area
The two grants have different requirements and it is necessary to manage the Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project as two separate but directly adjacent projects.  The project area for the HPP Grant funded portion of work is as follows:

  • West Central Street, between Union and Main Streets
  • East Central Street, between Main and Ruggles Streets
  • Main Street, between East Central Street and Moore Avenue
  • Emmons Street between West Central and Main Streets.

The PWED Grant project area includes improvements to the following areas;

  • Emmons Street, between Main and Hillside Streets
  • Dean Avenue, between Main and Ray Streets
  • Depot Street between Main Street and Dean Avenue
  • Ray Street, between Dean Avenue and Depot Street.
  • Depot Street Municipal parking lot.

Ongoing Downtown Revitalization Efforts
The Town of Franklin, partnering organizations including Franklin Downtown Partnership and Dean College, local businesses and individuals have made revitalization of the Downtown area a major priority for several years.

The Franklin Center Plan was developed in 2002 and 2003 to provide Town officials with a vision and basic strategy for revitalization of Downtown Franklin, The Plan’s major conceptual improvement components are as follows:

  • Vision for Downtown Franklin
  • Image and Identity
  • Public Places
  • Facades and Historic Preservation
  • Cultural Uses
  • Mixed Use
  • Architecture
  • Better Parking and Pedestrian Connections
  • Streetscape Improvements
  • Circulation Strategies and Traffic Calming
  • Promoting Franklin Center

The Franklin Center Plan and related efforts, including formation of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, were funded in part through a Department of Housing and Community Development grant. The Downtown Partnership has become a very successful collaboration of residents, businesses, and community leaders, whose mission is the economic revival of Downtown Franklin.

The Town is carefully planning and managing projects to ensure they reflect the Town’s overall vision for Downtown.  The Town has made steady progress implementing a variety of economic development strategies, resulting in consistent incremental positive changes in the Downtown area.

While the Town has made much progress towards the incremental revitalization of Downtown Franklin, implementation of the Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project will result in major improvements over a fairly short period of time. Several of the major conceptual improvement project components outlined in the Franklin Center Plan relate directly to the Town’s Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project, including streetscape improvements, better parking and pedestrian connections, and circulation strategies and traffic calming.
Additional Information
For more information about the Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project contact Franklin’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Bryan W. Taberner, at 508-520-4907 or send email.


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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Testuoids are a reptilian race, with small, round bodies and rubbery limbs. They do not possess a rigid skeletal structure like other beings. Their "skeleton" is composed of a gel-like material which can be hardened or softened at will. They are thus a very flexible, if not physically strong race.

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Contact Us

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Meet Our Pastor

About Pastor Debbie Roden
For the past 8 years Pastor Debbie has received the Message of Grace exclusively from Joseph Prince Ministries. She was called to preach when she was in her teens. Pastor Debbie has taught in Texas, Indonesia, India and in Pittsburgh for the past 35 years.
Finding Home
Pastor Debbie teaches Radical Grace. It’s all about receiving The Father’s Love and Jesus finished work on the cross and since He finished it then it is FINISHED! Pastor Debbie unfolds these truths and makes them come alive with applications for our lives today.
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Tag Archives: explosions

It’s July 4: What are we really celebrating?

Editor’s note: This is a repost of a  letter to the editor of the Central Kentucky News Journal that I posted on the old version of Free Kentucky News back in 2003. Sadly, it’s as relevant now as then…

The Fourth is coming, let’s list all the things we’ll get to celebrate.

Our fully-stocked shelves in the food and department stores so that we stay well fed and entertained and don’t get too upset or ask any inappropriate questions. Any good farmer will keep his livestock well fed and contented so they stay in the fence.

The drug war, it costs billions, makes police work more dangerous, fills our prisons with more prisoners per capita than most other countries, including many third world police states, allows law enforcement agencies to seize property without so much as a hearing and only proves once again that prohibition doesn’t work and of course keeps billions flowing through our economy via a global black market.

The IRS, that steals our money before it reaches our hands, makes many of those who actually pay taxes work till May of each year to cover this ‘progressive income tax’ that is a product of the ‘Communist Manifesto,’ requires you to have a number to get a job, whose agents can harass you, fine you, lien your property, imprison you, cause you to produce personal and business documents at only their demand, murder you, all without the real warrants required by the U.S. Constitution.

The former Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, now under the ‘Justus’ Dept., an agency whose members have not been made to pay for firing fully automatic weapons into a building full of women and children during a raid in the early 90s, in the name of impressing the U.S. Congress so they could get a budget increase. A raid that resulted in what has since been proven to be the murder of 80 plus people, including 17 children, whose only crime was being ‘non-mainstream’ for there were never any drugs, automatic weapons or real evidence of ‘child abuse’ found, two ‘abuses of the laws’ of which the BATF never had in its purview.

Numbers on our vehicles so we’re easier to track and find in case we break one of our tens-of-thousands-plus laws and statutes.

Little pieces of plastic with those bad photos that give us permission to drive our own vehicles down the ‘public’ highways after we passed a test at age 16 and are only required to get them updated, and not be retested even though they’re allegedly for our ‘safety,’ every four years so the state has a current photo of us and our address in case they want to come see us.

The ‘environmentalists’ whose real goal is a more socialist America with their lawsuits and legislation that destroy homes, livelihoods, and entire communities and who have so brainwashed our society that our local college held a ‘conference’ where no dissenting speakers were invited to refute the long-disproved propaganda that was disseminated to the young minds who got ‘college credit’ for attending and of course was ‘covered’ by the local ‘newspaper’ as if all that was said by the ‘official’ speakers was gospel and no one that spoke in opposition was even worth mentioning.

The gun laws of several large metropolitan areas and some states that can put you in prison for defending yourself and your property.

A $200 ‘license’ to own fully-automatic weapons, the Militia weapons the Second Amendment is really about, not your deer rifle or duck gun, while the Iraqis were smart enough to riot in the streets after our forces tried to seize their personal Kalashnikovs.

Road blocks for our ‘safety’ that are reminiscent of those old black and white films about the Nazis where our modern Nazis get to ask us for our ‘papers.’

All the ‘Christians’ who forfeit the responsibility they are born to and wait lazily to get beamed up without wondering how much the Devil accomplishes every day they sit apathetically in their pews and mindlessly in front of their televisions.

Our great entertainment and news media industries that use the greatest weapon ever designed by man to keep the sheeple stupid and pacified.

All the preachers who tell their congregations, because it’s what they’re paid to say, that we must faithfully and blindly ‘render unto Caesar’ when we have no Caesar.

Our ancestors who shouted ‘no King but King Jesus’ 200 years ago as their preachers led them into battle to found the greatest nation state, now empire, that has ever existed in known human history with a preamble to a Constitution that all school children learn says ‘Of the People, by the People, and for the People,’ not ‘Of Caesar, by Caesar, for Caesar.’

All the freedoms that our parents, grandparents, great and great-great grandparents allowed to slip from their grasp so we can watch the parade go down Main Street like the citizens in that 1970s mini series ‘Amerika‘ and pretend that the children watching and participating really have a future that’s worth living for or fighting for.

Barry Bright
Taylor County – Willowtown community
founder, webmaster, president, chief cook and bottle washer – freekentucky.com
June 10, 2003

Which was in part influenced by this:

And an updated version:

The actual text:

By Thelen Paulk

I had a dream the other night, I didn’t understand.
A figure walking through the mist, with a flintlock in his hand.
His clothes were torn and dirty, as he stood there by my bed.
He took off his three-cornered hat, and speaking low, he said:

“We fought a revolution, to secure our liberty.
We wrote the Constitution, as a shield from tyranny.
For future generations, this legacy we gave.
In this, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

“The freedom we secured for you, we hoped you’d always keep.
But tyrants labored endlessly while your parents were asleep.
Your freedom gone, your courage lost, you’re no more than a slave.
In this, the land of the free and home of the brave.

“You buy permits to travel, and permits to own a gun,
Permits to start a business, or to build a place for one.
On land that you believe you own, you pay a yearly rent.
Although you have no voice in choosing, how the money’s spent.

“Your children must attend a school that doesn’t educate.
Your Christian values can’t be taught, according to the state.
You read about the current news, in a regulated press.
You pay a tax you do not owe, to please the I.R.S.

“Your money is no longer made of Silver or of Gold.
You trade your wealth for paper, so your life can be controlled.
You pay for crimes that make our Nation, turn from God in shame.
You’ve taken Satan’s number, as you’ve traded in your name.

“You’ve given government control, to those who do you harm,
So they can padlock churches, and steal the family farm,
And keep our country deep in debt, put men of God in jail,
Harass your fellow countrymen, while corrupted courts prevail.

“Your public servants don’t uphold the solemn oath they’ve sworn.
Your daughters visit doctors, so their children won’t be born.
Your leaders ship artillery, and guns to foreign shores,
And send your sons to slaughter, fighting other people’s wars.

“Can you regain the freedom for which we fought and died?
Or don’t you have the courage, or the faith to stand with pride?
Are there no more values for which you’ll fight to save?
Or do you wish your children, to live in fear and be a slave?

“People of the Republic, arise and take a stand!
Defend the Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land!
Preserve our Great Republic, and GOD-Given Right!
And pray to GOD, to keep the torch of Freedom burning bright!”

As I awoke he vanished, in the mist from whence he came.
His words were true, we are not Free, we have ourselves to blame.
For even now as tyrants, trample each GOD-Given Right,
We only watch and tremble, too afraid to stand and fight.

If he stood by your bedside, in a dream, while you’re asleep,
And wonders what remains of our Rights he fought to keep,
What would be your answer, if he called out from the grave:

What does ‘We the People’ actually mean?

It means we are responsible…

We have a representative republic, guaranteed to every state, not a democracy.

We have a Bill of Rights that acknowledges rights we are born with, not granted or created by any government.

We vote with the knowledge that voting is the most violent act anyone can participate in because voting is electing someone to hire someone to stick a government gun in our neighbors’ faces and force our version of reality on them at the threat of their very lives.

We stand ready to protect our Liberty and the Liberty of our neighbors, not destroy it, via any version of authoritarianism, of any age or place.

We are prepared with knowledge and force of arms to make war against and kill if necessary those who would destroy our Bill of Rights whether they represent domestic or foreign enemies.

We do not lie to ourselves, our families, our friends, our business associates, our descendants, our enemies, about these things and do not EVER tolerate those who would have us do so.

If the troops were fighting for our freedom they’d all be here.

The only real reason for the militia

What is a man, really?

And something else we need to re-learn:

FK – If you can’t un-volunteer from something you volunteered for what are you?

With more reasons why:

FK – The average dumbass doesn’t have anything to say. They lack the backbone or the brain to be real human beings. That’s why the elites consider us all to be livestock.

Russia is ran by a dictatorship so they’re probably a lot smarter about the money they spend. We have too many lobbyists and corporate constituents to enrich with the ‘black budget.’

The IRA, a socialist group, has been seeking independence from England for centuries, so they can run the tyranny themselves.

We need to demand Liberty, not false freedom.


text:
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(vanity) Did Free Republic start as a blog?
vanity | Oct. 17th, 2010 | stillafreemind

Posted on 10/17/2010 8:22:55 AM PDT by stillafreemind

A thread on Barbara Billingsley has been pulled because they called it a blog. It was taken from Associated Content that was bought by Yahoo. How is that considered a blog?

I read what I read. People seemed to be enjoying the article. What gives? Free Republic started as a blog, correct? How can Yahoo news be a blog?

I don't try to break rules here. I've been around for quite a while. I'm curious..that's all. Thanks.

TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: associatedcontent; blogs; yahoo
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-51 next last
To: brivette

>>>it started as a “I hate Clinton” blog, I believe.

Wrong, both times you posted this. FR was around well before blogs. It started as a discussion/bulletin board, and took off during the Clinton scandalls.

21 posted on 10/17/2010 9:02:06 AM PDT by Keith in Iowa (FR Class of 1998 | TV News is an oxymoron. | MSNBC = Moonbats Spouting Nothing But Crap.)
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To: stillafreemind
Free Republic started as a blog, correct?

I thought it was always a conservative news forum. In fact, I don't remember seeing any bloggy stuff back in the early days.

I've lurked since '98, but wasn't around at FR's inception, so I can't be sure.

22 posted on 10/17/2010 9:07:38 AM PDT by Allegra (Pablo is very wily.)
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To: Allegra

If FR was a blog, I would run away and never return.

23 posted on 10/17/2010 9:10:11 AM PDT by humblegunner (Pablo is very wily)
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To: Gondring

Free Republic began life as a traditional bulletin board in the earliest days of the internet, on a usenet, I think the term was, I forget which one. Early nineties time-frame.

FR itself was established in 1996 after JimRob became dis-satisfied with it’s former home. He kept it as close as possible to the former bulletin board format. FR still retains the basic look and feel of the original.

24 posted on 10/17/2010 9:10:50 AM PDT by jimtorr
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To: humblegunner
I’m picturing a blogpimp with a huge stable of bloggers,

Maybe a new meme should be created for the authors from The Examiner and Associated Content, the sites are the pimps which would make the authors their 'workers'. A bunch of bloggers standing on street corners waiving down cars to try to get attention for hits.

25 posted on 10/17/2010 9:12:35 AM PDT by mnehring
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To: stillafreemind; Gondring

This was intended for your original question, stillafreemind.

Free Republic began life as a traditional bulletin board in the earliest days of the internet, on a usenet, I think the term was, I forget which one. Early nineties time-frame.

FR itself was established in 1996 after JimRob became dis-satisfied with it’s former home. He kept it as close as possible to the former bulletin board format. FR still retains the basic look and feel of the original.

26 posted on 10/17/2010 9:14:00 AM PDT by jimtorr
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To: humblegunner
If FR was a blog, I would run away and never return.

But...but....everyone knows you LOVE blogs!

27 posted on 10/17/2010 9:14:22 AM PDT by Allegra (Pablo is very wily.)
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To: stillafreemind
There was no such thing as blogs when I signed up here in 1999. First :blog” came years later.
28 posted on 10/17/2010 9:16:39 AM PDT by McGruff (A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs)
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To: muawiyah

FR started as a CompuServ bulletin board

29 posted on 10/17/2010 9:19:08 AM PDT by GeronL ( <--- My Fiction/ Science Fiction Board)
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To: stillafreemind
I joined FR in 1998. There were no blogs back then. But, I do think that FR inspired the blogoshpere.

A fellow freeper freeped me in the early 2000s and asked me to check out his "blog." I had no idea what he was talking about.

FR predated blogs. I believe FR inspired Lucianne Goldberg (the former Freeper who coined the term "freeper"), democratic underground, and all the rest, including blogs.

30 posted on 10/17/2010 9:19:32 AM PDT by Slyfox
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To: jimtorr

Thanks. I think I first started reading Free Republic in 1997 with my old webtv. My mom is an avid reader here, at age 77 she forwards at least a couple of FreeRepublic articles a day to her email buddies. Neither of us post that much.

I remember the days before the copyright thing got nasty. All in all FreeRepublic is a great source for news. That being said..there are reasons that I do like using AssociatedContent from Yahoo. I like the fact that I can make it all 1 page instead of flipping it over. Whatever I feel in the mood for..I read.

Most stuff, unless it’s opinion, is sourced. I have about 15 people that I read over there and each for different reasons.

Like I said..I don’t mean to step on people’s toes..I love FreeRepublic. But, if it cost Yahoo that much money to buy must be halfway decent.

31 posted on 10/17/2010 9:26:48 AM PDT by stillafreemind
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To: stillafreemind
Did blogs even exist back in 1996-97?

Here's a wayback machine listing of some of the older pages from FR going back to 1996. When White Water became the topic of the day most all articles was posted to that forum. So to get a feel for what was talked about click on the WhiteWater forum.

FreeRepublic via Wayback Machine

32 posted on 10/17/2010 9:28:39 AM PDT by deport (TEXAS -- Early Voting begins OCT. 18, 2010 (vote early and often)
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To: deport

Wow..those take us back! Thanks.

33 posted on 10/17/2010 9:32:07 AM PDT by stillafreemind
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To: humblegunner
Sounds exactly like McClatchy or the Times.
34 posted on 10/17/2010 9:32:32 AM PDT by MrEdd (Heck? Geewhiz Cripes, thats the place where people who don't believe in Gosh think they aint going.8)
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To: deport
Wow “the way we were”. I think I started reading FR in 1997 or 98.

What memories . . . Paula Jones, Monica, and other Bubba "one nighters". Vince Foster, Ken Starr and impeachment. The Clinton legacy! FR was truly a shinning light during that season.

Thanks Free Republic!

35 posted on 10/17/2010 10:01:09 AM PDT by mstar
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To: GeronL
"FR started as a CompuServ bulletin board"

Are you sure it wasn't on the old "Prodigy" service? That's where I first recall stumbling upon FR.

36 posted on 10/17/2010 10:13:06 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: mstar
FR was born after Prodigy and it's "Whitewater Bulletin Board" went out of business.
37 posted on 10/17/2010 10:17:46 AM PDT by Chunga85 ("Foreclosure Fraud", TARP, "Mortgage Crisis", Bailout)
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To: Chunga85
FR was born after Prodigy and it's "Whitewater Bulletin Board" went out of business

I was so computer stupid in those days I prob didn't know what I was reading. Really not much better today, but manage to get by. :)
38 posted on 10/17/2010 10:30:00 AM PDT by mstar
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To: stillafreemind; jimrob
Jim if this needs to be taken down please do so but I thought it would be a good reminder to people of where and when FR was founded.

I'll post the following which was posted by Freeper dakine back on Oct. 30, 2003 which was a reposting of an article by Jim Robinson founder of It is an excellent resource of how FR came to be.

History of FreeRepublic

Free Republic and Jim Robinson's Finances

Miscellaneous Free Republic Source: Free Republic Published: 07/15/99 Author: Jim Robinson Posted on 07/15/1999 01:02:53 PDT by Jim Robinson

Just trying to set the record straight.

Even though it's boring, I'll have to go back a few years to lay the groundwork for the story. Warning: it's boring so you might just want to skip this whole thing and go on to a real article... but for those of you who are spreading the gruesome rumors of Jim Robinson ripping off the FReepers, here's the real accounting of Free Republic.

During the 70's and 80's I worked as a programmer/analyst then division manager of a local computer service bureau. Over the years, I developed a series of accounting packages for agri-business companies. These packages were written for mini-computers using a fourth generation programming language that I developed myself. We had an installed base of a dozen or so farming companies and produce packers in California's San Joaquin Valley.

In 1988, the owner of the service bureau offered to allow me to purchase the software from the company on a percentage of gross revenues for one year basis and take over the existing client base. He also offered that I could take any of the programmers in my department who wanted to go with me. It had long been my desire to be in business for myself, so I jumped at the opportunity. Two programmers accepted my offer of equal partnership and ground floor opportunity and so we contributed $3,000 capital apiece, formed a corporation and into the computer business we plunged. In our first year, we grossed something in the neighborhood of a three hundred thousand and we were basically living hand to mouth, but we kept working at it. Within a few years and an awful lot of hard work, we were grossing a couple million per year and were earning a decent living.

In 1994 we decided that we wanted to expand the business so we did an initial public offering and raised some three million dollars on the NASDAQ. Our intent was to convert all of our software to shrink-wrap for Windows on the P/C and go nationwide. Well, we found that it was no easy task rewriting from the tested and true VAX VMS to the relatively untested and unstable P/C and we ended up paying several times the amount that we estimated for conversion and our roll out of the new software was delayed... first one year... then another. In the meantime, all of our clients and prospects were seeing our new prototypes and they wanted our new stuff. No one would buy our old software. Classic mistake. But long story short, we soon used up all of our new capital and the corporation was in big trouble.

To make matters worse, during the period of our IPO, my wife suffered a stroke which ended up leaving her entire left side paralyzed. And adding to that, my muscular dystrophy which had been progressing slowly for twenty years suddenly decides to accelerate. As I grew weaker, I could no longer travel by myself or even step up a curb to enter a client's building, much less climb stairs (many of our packing house customers had their offices upstairs over the plant). Plus, I had to spend ever increasing amounts of time at home helping my wife leaving less time for the office. So I began delegating more and more of my tasks to my fellow Officers and spending even less time at the company. It got so bad that eventually the board of directors invited me to step aside from my position as Chairman and CEO and turn the reins over to our President. I was given a one year consulting contract and a promise that I might be able to come back in as a Vice President after the company was re-organized. The company brought in some new capital through a private offering and the new stockholders brought in all new management. I was let go at the end of my contract.

In 1995 as we were desperately looking for a product to sell, we luckily acquired a new type of business... an internet service provider. This business was brand new, only 200 paying customers, and the founder had run out of cash so we picked it up and thought it would be a potential source of revenue. It was. It doubled or more in size every month. Eventually it saved our bacon because it was what attracted the private capital and then a later six million dollar offering (I was already gone by this time).

In the middle of 1996, I was forced into retirement. At the time, I only had about $40,000 value in my remaining stock (the company had lost about 95% of it's value), my wife was paralyzed, I was barely able get around, and we were lived in a big new house with an upside down mortgage (we had purchased the house before my wife's stroke and while I was still Chairman and CEO of a prosperous growing company which was about to go public and the future was all roses, uh huh).

So I continued on as a consultant for the company, but in October of 1996 my back got so bad that I could no longer stand or walk. I had surgery in December to repair a protruding disk and relieve the pain and numbness in my legs, but I was never able to walk again.

During most of the above time period (beginning sometime in '93 or '94) I had been following our new President's crimes and corruption spree by reading and posting to Prodigy's Whitewater bulletin board at night and on weekends. In September of 1996, I created the Free Republic website. Missy Kelly, who was a regular on Prodigy, sent me several articles and other info about the Riady's, the Lippo Group, the Rose Law Firm, and Clinton's crooked financing from the 80's through his election, and I also had info from Michael Rivero's Foster pages and I had some info on the phony drug war and our government's involvement with drug running through Arkansas, etc., and I set it all up on a series of web pages and just knew that if Clinton's corruption was exposed to the general public, no way would he be reelected. Hah!

After the corrupt sob was reelected, I became determined that I was gonna do all I could to see him impeached, so I wrote the forum software and launched the Free Republic forum in February 1997. I was the only poster for a few months, but I kept sending my URL to search engines and trolled the news groups by reposting articles from the forum and eventually I picked up a few readers... and eventually some of the readers got the courage to try posting.

The forum went well, and over the summer and through the fall of 1997 we continued to pickup more and more readers and we started accumulating a lot of hits. Sometime during that Fall, we had gained so many readers that our traffic began impacting my ISP (which was my old company which had been donating the resources for us). Our hits and our bandwidth usage was dragging down their system, so they eventually gave me an ultimatum to either pay them $700 per month or find another provider.

Well, I was near broke at the time, didn't have much income and this was just a hobby so I thought it was probably all over. Then one of our posters (The Duke) wrote me. He was using a network service for his company and he thought they could supply us with a dedicated server for as little as $300 per month. That was a reasonable rate, but I still couldn't afford it. The Duke suggested that we ask the readers if they wanted Free Republic enough to donate the money to pay the expenses and keep it running. So he ran a thread and sure enough, the readers said that it was important to keep Free Republic going and so they began sending in donations. I ordered the server and we were soon running. Thus the practice of reader funding of Free Republic was born. It wasn't that I was begging for money as some have alleged, it was because I did not have the resources to keep it going and yet the readers wanted it enough to pay our expenses.

The forum kept getting more and more popular, kept gaining more and more readers and kept requiring more and more time to support it. I was soon working on it full time and my HTML business (Electronic Orchard which I had formed to try to earn a living and stay afloat) began to suffer. I let the posters know, and they began sending more donations so that I could work full time on the forum and would have enough money to avoid personal bankruptcy. The forum was still just a hobby at this time. My income came from whatever HTML work I could find (not much), and from donors who sent me money as gifts and said to use it however I needed it, and from the remainder of my savings which I luckily had invested in Mindspring stock which was doing very well (Mindspring is an internet company and their stock did a ok).

Then sometime after we were on the new server (not sure about the timing here, may have been before) Matt Drudge discovered us and linked to our White Water topic. Now we start doubling every couple of months and soon our new server could not handle the load. The time delay became unbearable and the readers were becoming more and more frustrated and hostile. There was much public discussion about what to do to keep Free Republic alive and I did not have enough money left in my savings to buy a larger server and/or to commit to more bandwidth. Free Republic was just a hobby and had no revenue and no resources. How can I commit several thousand dollars per month for bandwidth when I'm already next to personal bankruptcy?

About this time, I was contacted by James Golden of TalkSpot who wanted to do an interview and ask a bunch of questions. I'm a quiet and shy kinda guy and hate interviews with the press so I turned him over to Connie Hair who had volunteered to handle these things for us. It turns out that he was interested in more than an interview. He wanted to find out whether we could work together. Seems he had a conservative talkshow and he was interested in expanding it and working with us. We let him know that we were in trouble and might not even be around much longer. Somehow over the next few weeks, Connie and Clarity had worked a deal with TalkSpot where they would provide the server capacity we needed and would supply me with a consulting contract so that I could earn a living while building Free Republic and Free Republic Radio on TalkSpot. Wow! What a miracle.

Connie had earlier asked me how much I would need to run Free Republic for a year, and I had estimated that with taxes and expenses I would probably need around hundred thousand or so. So that's what she asked for. And that's what they agreed to. They actually wanted to buy FR and hire me as an employee, but after having being in business for a decade, I was pretty set in my independent ways and would rather not have a boss. I said Free Republic was not for sale and so they agreed on the consulting contract.

Now we also had been contacted about this time by several media companies who questioned the fair use exemption to the copyright law and who were threatening to sue us for alleged copyright infringements. This prevented me from being able to convert my Free Republic hobby into a membership system which would have given us the funds to operate and me a salary so that I could survive while working full time on Free Republic. So, the TalkSpot deal was perfect for us.

And about this time, Lucianne Goldberg contacted us and we began negotiating a deal where we could market the Linda Tripp tapes on the internet. TalkSpot would've been the perfect vehicle for doing that. Lucianne was asking six million dollars for the marketing rights of the tapes. We didn't know what the market was, but we were willing to gamble that enough people would pay five dollars per tape to listen to Monica as she literally torpedoes a sitting President, and that we could collect enough money to pay the six million and then share in any profits over that amount. Well, as it turns out, the OIC turned the tapes over to the Congress who released them to the public so that deal fell through. Too bad. Free Republic would've made history and would have been funded for life (nothing sinister in this negotiation as some have alleged).

Also about this time, a man named Don Adams (not yet a FReeper) was viciously attacked by paid union thugs at an anti-Clinton protest in Philadelphia. We had been planning a protest in Philadelphia for several days prior and I figured that the Clintonites had gotten wind of that (they lurk on FR daily) and had arranged for the union goons to break up our protest. When I realized that this is what had happened, I got pissed and decided it was time to pay a personal visit to Mr. Clinton and tell him that we're fed-up and we're not gonna take this crap anymore and we're gonna see him impeached!

I announced on the forum that I was gonna go to the Whitehouse and protest the President's beating of Don Adams and so the March for Justice was born. It was originally just gonna be protest outside the Whitehouse but more and more people and groups got involved and so it had to be moved to Lafayette Park where there is more room available, and then eventually to the Washington Monument. Then the expenses began racking up. A stage, a sound system, security, porta-potties, insurance, etc. (the insurance bill alone was over $15,000). But the FReepers were willing and happy to send the money to pay for all this (actually we did not receive enough to pay all and we had a debt for several months after the event. The debt was funded by Bob Johnson and eventually all was paid back through sales of FReeper Stuff). Thus was born the idea of raising funds on Free Republic for projects... again at the request of the FReepers and not me begging for money as some have alleged.

Then the Washington Post and the LA Times file suit. Clarity volunteers to defend Free Republic. The FReepers decide to send donations to cover out of pocket expenses for the case (we've only received about six thousand, so far, but have racked up bills of several times that amount. We will be needing lots more). I had a choice of fighting or folding. The FReepers volunteered to send money so we could fight so fight we will. Again, I'm not begging. If the FReepers would rather not spend their money on this, we'll fold and settle.

Bob Barr calls. Duty calls and the FReepers go to Washington again. Boston conceives the idea of an ad in the Washington Times to urge the House to move on the impeachment. The FReepers raise something like $15,000 to pay for the ad and some additional artwork. We also raise some money to pay for the rally. Somewhere in here, we raise money to pay for the publishing of Alamo-Girl's Clinton Downside Legacy and to deliver a copy to each Senator. Gonzo contributes $6,000 dollars to the fund, which he had loaned to us previously to cover some of expenses of the MFJ and now says we should keep as a donation rather than pay back. Again, I'm not begging for anything... Boston and his group wanted the ad and wanted us to raise money on FR to cover it. Nothing sinister here. I'm still a hobby not a business. And not begging for money as some allege.

The House Impeaches, the Senate fails the people, abrogates their duty, Clinton walks. Then he threatens to take revenge on our brave Managers. The FReepers go to Washington again. And again Boston raises money for another Washington Times ad. Again, the FReepers wanted it. I did not beg.

Free Republic is still a non-profit hobby, but because of the lawsuit we are forced to file as a limited liability company so that we can continue to operate and not risk further personal lawsuits. We incur more legal and organizing expenses. I'm already being sued as Free Republic, Electronic Orchard and Jim Robinson personal. If I lose the lawsuit, the Washington Post et al, own me lock stock and barrel. My total life and everything I own is at risk here, but I'm not begging. If you guys would rather I fold Free Republic and settle this lawsuit, then I'm outta here. Nothing sinister.

During all of this time, there were many, many discussions both on line and off about how to keep Free Republic afloat. Many proposals were made and considered. Some were in favor of charging either a fifty dollar per year membership fee or perhaps a ten dollar per month posting fee. Proposals were made to incorporate, to sell stock, or to file for non-profit status and look for large donors. All kinds of things were proposed, discussed, talked over and most were finally rejected. There was nothing sinister about any of these proposals. We were simply trying to find a way to keep Free Republic going, get it on some sort of predictable and solid financial footing and to have a reliable way to pay operating expenses and salaries for a few people to work full time on the project. We've settled on forming a non-profit and looking for donors as well as possibly selling memberships in an association. The Free Republic forum, however, will remain free and open.

Throughout all this I'm estimating that we have received something over $100,000 dollars which was used as follows:

These are estimates (in round numbers) from memory. I did not necessarily account by project. Most of this was done as a hobby, but some as a not-for-profit company. I have not done a final accounting yet, and the company has not yet filed a tax return other than the required annual minimum tax. The first tax return will not be due until next April.

The March for Justice........... $30,000 The Judgment Day Rally..... $8,000 The Washington Ad, etc........ $10,000 The Treason Ad, etc............. $10,000 Legal Fees and filing fees....... $6,000 The House Managers............ $5,000 Travel and Lodging............... $8,000 Operating Expenses............... $15,000 Misc Expenses...................... $3,000 Corp Taxes........................... $1,000

Ending cash balance.............. $8,000 ($6,000 earmarked for legal defense)

Personally, I had a savings account (in stock) worth about $39,000 when I started all this. I had a house and two trucks and a house full of beat up furniture. I had debts including a 100% mortgage and other personal debts totaling approximately $220,000.

Today, I still have the same house and mortgage (which has decreased by barely a dent), the same beat up furniture, but only one of the trucks (an 89 GMC utility vehicle). I still have debts of approx. $220,000 and I still have some stock in my savings account. It has approx. doubled in value through price appreciation even though I have sold approx. seventy percent of my shares over the last three years (latched onto a great internet stock, MSPG!). That and the after tax proceeds from my consulting contract (I did use a portion of it to purchase new computers and other equipment for me and John), plus any gifts I received from donors is what we've been living on. Other than the equipment listed above, I have not purchased anything other than normal clothing, repairs and groceries and normal living expenses since 1995. We have not traveled or taken any vacations or even weekends off (other than my three trips to Washington with Free Republic). We do not eat out. A special night out for us is Chris runs out and brings back a pizza or some Chinese and rents us a movie. Chris lives at home and cares for us and he goes to college. My sister-in-law comes over every weekday to help Sheila bathe and dress and help with the housework. I'm not pleading poverty, but I ain't rich either and I'm only a heartbeat away from bankruptcy. Oh, yeah. I also do not have any health insurance and my medical bills are growing. Hillary where are you? (LOL)

Please understand that we're happy as clowns and I'm not complaining. We thank the Lord daily for all our blessings. The only reason I'm writing this is because I've been accused by several on this forum and last night in print on Salon, that I'm ripping off the donors.

Well, I'm working double shifts seven days a week for Free Republic and I'm not getting paid a whit. And I sure as hell am not ripping off anyone. If any of you want to donate to keep Free Republic on the air, I'll thank you for that and we will appreciate it very much, but I'm not gonna beg anyone for it. If we can not fund Free Republic, she goes under and that's that. Now if anyone else ever accuses me again of being a crook, just beware. I'm gonna hunt you down and beat you senseless with my cane.

Jim Robinson

39 posted on 10/17/2010 10:33:37 AM PDT by deport (TEXAS -- Early Voting begins OCT. 18, 2010 (vote early and often)
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To: deport
Thanks for that post. Brings back memories.

Anyone still here remember "Missy Kelly"?

There was a post on the Prodigy Whitewater Bulletin Board entitled "Bash $lick Here" that went on for years.

That BB was mentioned in the WSJ op-ed page, top of the fold, left column more than once.

I'd love to speak with some of those old time members. I saved much of those posts in text format..I'll have to look for them. At that time I used a 386/dx with 2 mb of RAM that cost me about 4k.

40 posted on 10/17/2010 10:48:45 AM PDT by Chunga85 ("Foreclosure Fraud", TARP, "Mortgage Crisis", Bailout)
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What You [Catholics] Need to Know: The Vatican (or Holy See) [Catholic-Orthodox Caucus] ^ | 2007 | CatholicCulture

Posted on 04/30/2007 8:50:39 PM PDT by Salvation

What You [Catholics] Need to Know: The Vatican (or Holy See)

Many Catholics don't know much about the Vatican or how the Church is governed. Nor have basic materials on the governance of the Church found their way into our own archives over the years. Perhaps we take too much for granted.

We have placed a brief description of the structure of Church government in our library to serve as a primer. This identifies the different departments and offices which serve the Pope in fostering and regulating all the various aspects of ecclesiastical life.

In addition to being the center of the Catholic Church's government, however, the Vatican is also the spiritual center of Catholicism. This "spiritual home" is especially embodied in St. Peter's Basilica, the chief Church of all Christendom. The Vatican's museums also house an astonishing collection of artifacts of the greatest spiritual significance.

To delve more deeply into both the "mindset" of the Vatican and its inner workings requires the help of an experienced insider. We offer a review of a recent book on the subject which, while not without flaws, provides considerable insight into how Catholic business is done.

If you only have time to look at three things, LOOK AT THESE.

  1. The Structure of the Church's Government
  2. A Website Devoted to St. Peter's Basilica
  3. A Review of John Allen's All the Pope's Men
And if you've got more time...

While one must always be wary of misunderstanding and even bias when non-Catholic websites describe Catholic governance, searches on the web may be profitably used to locate more information about any particular office or body associated with the Holy See.

For more on the artifacts preserved in the Vatican, it is sufficient to visit the official web site of the Vatican Museums. For Pope Benedict XVI's recent comments on their importance, see Vatican Museums, Where Faith and Art Intertwine.

Finally, it goes without saying that the universal mission of the Church which emanates from the Vatican includes all the manifestations of the Pope's sacramental and teaching powers, including all the disciplines and doctrines promulgated by the Church's magisterium, or teaching authority.

TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: catholiclist; pope; vatican
For your information and discussion.
1 posted on 04/30/2007 8:50:41 PM PDT by Salvation
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To: Salvation
A Brief Description of the Government of the Catholic Church

by Jeffrey A. Mirus, Ph.D.

Vatican City: The Vatican City State is a small independent territory designed to assure the free operations of the governance of the Church without interference from other political powers. The central government of the Catholic Church is housed in Vatican City. The Vatican is also referred to as the Holy See, which can designate either the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) or the entire administrative apparatus which supports the Pope, in effect the government of the Catholic Church.

Pope: The head of the Church and the political ruler of the Vatican City State.

Secretary of State: The Secretariat of State is the oldest dicastery of the Holy See and provides both an organizational support system for the Pope and an administrative arm for civil affairs, including papal diplomacy around the world. The Secretariat of State is divided into two sections, the first of which deals with the organization and staffing of the Curia (see below), and the second of which handles civil concerns and relationships with other states.

Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State: A committee of cardinals supported by a board of lay advisors. This Commission assists the pope and the secretary of state in administering the government of the Vatican. Under this body there is a central council of the heads of various administrative offices, the directorships of museums, technical, economic and medical services; the Swiss guard; Vatican radio and television; the Vatican observatory; and the directorship of Castel Gandolfo, the traditional summer residence of the pope.

Roman Curia: The Curia (or “Court”) consists of the officials and offices which assist the pope in the religious governance of the Church. As of 2007, the Curia consisted of the Secretariat of State, nine Congregations, three Tribunals, eleven Pontifical Councils, and a complex of offices that administer church affairs. The most important administrative bodies are the Congregations, followed closely by the permanent Pontifical Councils. Less important affairs may be handled by other pontifical councils and commissions. Each administrative group is headed by a cleric, most often a Cardinal, called a Secretary. The nine congregations are:

There are also councils for Christian unity, non-Christians, and nonbelievers, justice and peace, the laity and other councils and commissions for various functions, such as the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Cardinals: Cardinals attain their office solely by papal appointment and must be priests. They serve as special advisors to the pope and often as heads of important adminsitrative offices of the Holy See. The number of cardinals has been expanded from 70 to 184 by various popes between 1960 and 2001. Paul VI also set the age of 80 for retirement of cardinals from official service (including serving as papal electors). The entire body of cardinals is called a College.

Bishops: Bishops are appointed by the Pope and must be validly consecrated in the line of apostolic succession (that is, by other bishops who can trace their lineage back to the original apostles). They serve as the heads of local churches, which they govern under the authority of the pope. The entire body of bishops called together in union with the pope is a general council of the Church.

Heads of Religious Communities: These men and women are elected or appointed in various ways, according to the rules of their communities, under the authority of the Holy See. They govern their own communities in pursuance of the goals, charisms and constitutions of these communities, which have, if they are legitimate, been approved by the Pope.

Priests: Priests are ordained by bishops and called to support the local bishop in building up the people of God in the local church. Insofar as they may be appointed by the bishop to be pastors, they share in his governing authority for their local parishes.

Papal Elections: Though it is possible for a pope to resign, this would cause such confusion in the Church that typically popes serve until death. Popes are elected through whatever the latest mechanisms are that have been authoritatively put in place by a previous pope. For centuries, papal elections have been in the hands of the entire body of cardinals and, under current law, a new pope must be chosen from their number. When a pope dies, the entire body, or college, of active cardinals is called together to elect his successor. Two-thirds vote plus one of those in attendance is required, and typically the College of Cardinals discusses and debates the merits of the candidates in secrecy, holding successive ballots until a candidate wins the required number of votes.

2 posted on 04/30/2007 8:56:01 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
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To: nickcarraway; sandyeggo; Lady In Blue; NYer; american colleen; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ...
Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Discussion Ping List.

3 posted on 04/30/2007 8:59:40 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
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To: Salvation
Faith-sharing bump.
4 posted on 04/30/2007 9:12:21 PM PDT by Ciexyz
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To: Salvation

I know that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ and the Voice of God on earth! When he speaks the case is closed; the matter decided. There is no appeal! The Pope is Lord over all the rulers and peoples of the earth!

5 posted on 05/01/2007 12:15:08 AM PDT by Macoraba
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

Ping for reference

7 posted on 05/01/2007 8:20:42 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
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ping to self

8 posted on 05/01/2007 12:14:54 PM PDT by adiaireton8 ("There is no greater evil one can suffer than to hate reasonable discourse." - Plato, Phaedo 89d)
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To: All
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: The Vatican (or Holy See) [Catholic-Orthodox Caucus]

What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Marriage

9 posted on 05/01/2007 5:18:13 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
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To: Macoraba
Well, yeah, but not only are there a few rulers who don't get that, but a number of bishops!

You may remember the year j2p2 said no to women priests, but yes to lady acolytes? I think the acolytes issue came first but I don't recall. In any event our then bishop said about the acolytes, "Roma locuta, causa finita." BUT when the word about the women priests came down - and it came purty hard, as I recall, our bishop said,"Well, this is still not settled, there will certainly be some evolution of opinion, blah blah blah.

10 posted on 05/01/2007 5:52:15 PM PDT by Mad Dawg
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Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

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FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794 is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson