http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/*/ en-us Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:30:52 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844779/posts By FOUAD AJAMI The bloodshed and the brutality of the dictatorship in Syria are at long last beginning to challenge the passivity of the Obama administration. The word is out that the Pentagon has launched a "scoping exercise" to determine what could be done should the president want to respond to the Syrian catastrophe. For months, the administration pursued the mirage of a United Nations Security Council condemnation of Damascus, when there was no chance that Russia and China would go for it. The administration persisted even though a similar effort last October ended in failure. There was no need... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844779/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:30:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844778/posts Before yunz head dahntahn to work, or start to red up the house n‘at, join us every morning for coffee (or whatever gets yinz started) and maybe some serious discussion of the issues (or not!) Listen to the Quinn & Rose Morning Show at: www.wpgb.com (104.7 Pittsburgh, Pa) http://wysl1040.com/ (Rochester, NY) http://www.640whlo.com/main.html (Akron, OH) (airs later from 9-12) http://www.wncoam.com/main.html (Ashland, OH) http://www.talkradio560.com/ (Frostburg, MD) http://wicofm.com/ (Salisbury/Ocean City, MD WOBX - Outer banks NC http://tunein.com/radio/The-War-Room-with-Quinn--Rose-p34761/ for archived shows And now on 166 XM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844778/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:18:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2844777/posts Whosay http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2844777/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:17:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844776/posts OKLAHOMA CITY – No more Mr. Nice Guy for Rick Santorum. The newly-energized presidential candidate on Thursday launched a full-throated attack on front-runner Mitt Romney, saying the former Massachusetts governor’s campaign “has been about serially tearing down opponents without offering any kind of vision for what he wants to do for this country. “This is the gotcha politics of Mitt Romney,” Santorum said, sounding complaints almost identical to those lodged by rival conservative Newt Gingrich against Romney after Gingrich won the South Carolina primary last month. “He’s not interested in talking about the issues,” Santorum said of Romney. “He’s interested... National Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844776/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:48:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844775/posts China says crusading police chief spent day in US consulate amid asylum bid speculation By Associated Press, Updated: Friday, February 10, 6:36 PM BEIJING — Beijing says a celebrity police chief linked to one of the country’s rising political stars spent a day in a U.S. consulate in southwestern China amid speculation that he sought political asylum. The U.S. State Department confirmed that former Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun visited the consulate in the city of Chengdu, but gave no details. The Foreign Ministry spokesman’s office said that Wang entered the consulate on Monday and “remained there for one day.”... WP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844775/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:27:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844774/posts Russia's young people are growing up with more freedom than ever. Twenty years after the end of communism, the first post-Soviet generation is transforming the country -- whether the once and future president likes it or not.It's just before dawn at the Kremlin, and Marat Dupri is about to climb a monument to Czar Peter the Great. The 20-year-old with brown, curly hair is wearing a green, plaid jacket and blue gloves to fight the icy wind. He is standing on the bank of the Moskva River, facing the 98-meter (321-foot) colossus of dark, gray steel. Marat and his three... Spiegel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844774/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:09:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844773/posts In roughly six months, owners and operators of nuclear generating facilities will have a new regulation to address. After a hiatus of more than four years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will issue a new version of the 316(b) Phase II rule, which regulates impingement and entrainment at cooling water intakes. The proposed rule published in the Federal Register on April 20, 2011, applies to existing power plants and industrial and manufacturing facilities that withdraw at least 2 million gallons per day (MGD) of cooling water and use at least 25 percent of that water exclusively for cooling pur-poses.... Nuclear Power International Jan/Feb 2012, page 22 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844773/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:03:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844772/posts Being a Victoria's Secret model can offer fame and fortune beyond a woman's wildest dreams. But this wasn't enough for Kylie Bisutti, who decided to stop modeling for the lingerie maker because it didn't match with her religious beliefs. Bisutti tells "Good Morning America" she turned down the work because, "I just became so convicted of honoring the Lord and my body and wanting to be a role model for other women out there who look up to me." The 21-year-old won the gig after beating out 10,000 others in a Victoria's Secret Model search in 2009. Bisutti adds that... zap2it http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844772/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:02:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844771/posts Scepitical? Look at the clip and you tell me Red furry coat, giant tusks... elephants of any sort not native to the region, either! The Siberian Woolly Mammoth -which we are taught disappeared abruptly at the end of the last Ice Age (~8000 B.C.)- has long been a source of fascination, as on occasion examples are found in a highly-preserved, mummified state under the Arctic territory's thick layer of permafrost.  Similar in appearance to a modern elephant, the Mammoth was actually only slightly larger (~3m at the shoulder) yet with a shorter trunk, longer tusks, ears only 10% the size of their contemporary brethren,... Reaganite Republican http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844771/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:56:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844770/posts LOS ANGELES -- A top county official held a news conference Thursday night to set the record straight on an issue of paramount importance to Los Angeles: beach football. Pigskin chucking, Frisbee hurling and all manner of ball play are OK on Los Angeles beaches, as long as people play safely, said county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. An exasperated Yaroslavsky said he was forced to call the news conference after a media misfire earlier this week prompted a flood of calls and emails to his office, with one complaint from as far away as London. "Nobody is going to get fined... Sacbee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844770/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:47:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2844769/posts But at least he was for the Tea Party before he was against it: (VIDEO AT LINK) Hopefully this was taken out of context, although it’s hard to imagine a context that would justify attacking the Tea Party. Who knows what Santorum is really thinking? Most politicians are like ObamaCare; you have to put them in place to find out what’s in them. Then you’ll probably scream in horror. Moonbattery http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/2844769/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:32:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844768/posts Last year I wrote about sudden surges in renewable energy that set up a conflict between wind producers in the Pacific Northwest and the Bonneville Power Administration, a federal agency that runs hydroelectric dams and the regional grid. When unseasonable storms created a simultaneous surplus of wind and water, Bonneville gave free power away but still had to deal with an oversupply that could overwhelm the grid. Eventually it resorted to unplugging the wind machines because routing excess water around its dams could create excess bubbles in the river... --snip-- Another would be using batteries, the secretary of energy said.... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844768/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:06:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2844767/posts A Tennessee couple who 'unfriended' a woman on Facebook were murdered in their home by the jilted woman's father and another man, police said on Thursday. "It's the worst thing I've ever seen," Johnson County Sheriff Mike Reece said, adding he had never seen anything like it in his 27 years in law enforcement in the area. "We've had murders, but nothing like this. This is just senseless." He said Billy Clay Payne, Jr. and Billie Jean Hayworth were killed last month after they deleted Jenelle Potter, the daughter of one of the suspects, from their 'friends' list. Both were... IBN Live http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2844767/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:53:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844766/posts The United States may get its first Mormon president this year, if Republican candidate Mitt Romney prevails in his bid. But in France, the Mormon faith is viewed with deep suspicion and a project to build the country's first Mormon temple is proving to be controversial.  The temple is expected to be located in the Paris suburb of Chesnay, where the temple is expected to be located.  Until recently, Chesnay was mostly known because of its proximity to Versailles, the dazzling 18th-century palace that was home to French "Sun King" Louis XIV.  But today, this small town west of Paris... VOA NEWS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844766/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:51:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844765/posts ...Romney’s embrace of insuring the minimum wage increases, currently at $7.25, was surprising for a candidate who insists he is a reliable conservative. It was major mistake on his part for three reasons. First, from an ideological standpoint, what was he thinking? Has he missed the decades long discussion among conservatives about the disastrous impact of the minimum wage? It has eliminated jobs – hundreds of thousands of them – for young persons on the low rungs of employment. The ill effects have been felt especially by African American youth. Not only that, but the minimum wage represents a government... The Weekly Standard http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844765/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:50:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844764/posts The Department of Defense is reviewing the Air Force's investigation into a deadly F-22 jet crash that claimed the life of fighter pilot Capt. Jeff Haney -- a crash that the Air Force blamed on Haney, despite a malfunction that caused his oxygen system to shut off mid-flight. Launched by the Pentagon's Inspector General, the assessment aims to make sure the Air Force adhered to proper procedures during their investigation of the 2010 crash in the Alaskan wilderness and "will also verify that [the Air Force's] conclusions are supported by evidence of record consistent with standards of proof," according to... ABC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844764/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:46:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2844763/posts Drums as loud as thunderclaps and then as soft as psalms, the sounds of the shehnai matching tunes with that of bagpipes, all heralded the close of Republic Day celebrations with the “Beating Retreat” ceremony at Vijay Chowk held against the backdrop of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Sunday. In days gone by, the “Beating Retreat” was sounded by the buglers as a signal to soldiers engaged in battle to cease their fighting, sheath their weapons and “retreat” from the battlefield. The bugle was also used in military towns to recall soldiers to their quarters in the evenings. “Beating... The Hindu http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2844763/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:35:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844762/posts Here in Texas we produce a variety of products and services, notably energy, agricultural, and technology related, but also across many sectors (including my own construction industry). We also create and produce jobs. In fact, we do it as well if not better than any other state. Part of the right formula for job creation here in Texas has been lower taxes and less regulations. We have no state income tax and our legislature meets infrequently, denying them opportunity to do much meddling. These simple principles has led many companies to set up in this State, and in return many... The American Thinker http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844762/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:33:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844761/posts Newt Gingrich kept a stiff upper lip Wednesday after his poor showing in GOP presidential caucuses the night before, but issued dire warnings about Iran's potential nuclear capabilities. In his only scheduled public appearance for the next two days, the former House speaker made no mention of his poor showing in Colorado and Minnesota. But he told a small crowd of manufacturing workers that the United States could pay a terrible price if Iran develops nuclear weapons. "You think about the dangers, to Cleveland, or to Columbus, or to Cincinnati, or to New York.... NewsMax / The Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844761/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:30:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844760/posts First Lady Michelle Obama leaves Thursday for a three-day, four-state tour to mark the second anniversary of her “Let’s Move!” initiative to get Americans to eat healthier and be more physically fit. The trip is a mix of events and announcements, including one Thursday about a program intended to combat weight gain among members of the military. Mrs. Obama will make the announcement, along with the Department of Defense, at the Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., which has participated in a pilot program for the initiative. The initiative melds Mrs. Obama’s two signature policy goals as first lady –... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844760/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:02:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844759/posts In the wake of fresh U.S. and European sanctions against Iran, activists gathered at Powell and Market streets in San Francisco Saturday afternoon to protest a potential war against the Middle Eastern nation. Organized by The World Can't Wait and other anti-war groups, the rally coincided with similar protests in 80 other U.S. cities in a national "day of action" against a possible U.S. attack on Iran, according to World Can't Wait SF organizer Stephanie Tang. Organizers estimated that more than 300 people attended Saturday's rally and march down Market Street. The event follows an increased Western military presence in... The San Francisco Appeal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844759/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:37:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844758/posts Another normal day at the Hellenic Statistical Authority. We learn that: Greece's manufacturing output contracted by 15.5pc in December from a year earlier. Industrial output fell 11.3pc, compared to minus 7.8pc in November. Unemployment jumped to 20.9pc in November, up from 18.2pc a month earlier. I have little further to add. This is what a death spiral looks like. It is what can happen if you join a fixed exchange system, then take out very large debts in what amounts to a foreign currency, and then have simultaneous monetary and fiscal contraction imposed upon you. Germany discovered this on... The Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844758/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:33:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844757/posts The Senate is seriously considering a bill by Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown that would increase foreign worker importation, even as millions of Americans remain unemployed. The legislation would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to add the Republic of Ireland to the E-3 visa program. If passed, an additional 10,500 visas would be available to workers from Ireland to compete for U.S. jobs. The two-year visas can be renewed indefinitely. Senator Brown's bill (also sponsored by Mark Kirk of Illinois) is very similar to a bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. Schumer's bill has been temporarily blocked... Numbers USA - Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844757/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:30:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844756/posts Hollywood actor and producer Allen Covert told The Daily Caller that he would “without a doubt” support Sarah Palin if she was a candidate for president. The actor, who is best known for his collaborations with Adam Sandler, said that he would “support whoever is running” as a Republican for president, but really would have loved to see Palin run. “I actually knew who she was when John McCain picked her, and I was very happy about that,” said Covert. He recalled that his immediate reaction to McCain’s choice was: “Oh good, he’s listening to us.” Covert was at the... The Daily Caller http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2844756/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:22:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844755/posts FDA Drug Safety Communication: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea can be associated with stomach acid drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)  Safety AnnouncementAdditional Information for Patients and ConsumersAdditional Information for Healthcare ProfessionalsData Summary (Tables) Safety Announcement [02-08-2012] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that the use of stomach acid drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). A diagnosis of CDAD should be considered for patients taking PPIs who develop diarrhea that does not improve. .benefit { font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; color: #f9e4bb; }Patients should immediately... FDA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2844755/posts#comment Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:18:31 GMT