Free Republic

Critics of photo ID and other laws cracking down on voter fraud claim they’re unnecessary because fraud is nonexistent. Brennan Center attorneys Michael Waldman and Justin Levitt claimed last year: “A person casting two votes risks jail time and a fine for minimal gain. Proven voter fraud, statistically, happens about as often as death by lightning strike.” Well, lightning is suddenly all over Cincinnati, Ohio. The Hamilton County Board of Elections is investigating 19 possible cases of alleged voter fraud that occurred when Ohio was a focal point of the 2012 presidential election. A total of 19 voters and nine...

A lot of talk lately about how the Republicans can "change" in order to compete better in Presidential elections ... but I think most of the opinions are too short sighted. Its not about "moving to the center". Its not about "coming up with better solutions" to society's problems. Its not even primarily about "getting out the base" (although certainly this would help a little). Rather its primarily about learning how to DEMONIZE the assumptions of their opponents, a tactic that the Dems have mastered ... and we need to start with introducing into the public discourse properly contemptuous language...

So here is a bizarre twist in the David Petraeus resignation saga. Paula Broadwell, the biographer revealed as the woman having a secret affair with the now-former CIA director, gave a talk at the University of Denver on Oct. 26 in which she appeared to reveal sensitive, maybe even classified, information about the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. The most interesting revelation is her claim that the CIA was holding two Libyan militia members prisoner, which may have prompted the attack. (Though she also sought to explain the Obama administration's initial view that the attack was...

I just saw three orange lights flying over Champaign, Illinois. There were no visible blinking lights. What could they have been? Helicopters? Military? They were flying too fast to be baloons, but seemed slower than jets.

Who just saw the UNC football player have a head on collision without his helmet? He is lucky he is alive.

Today marks the launch of what will be an invaluable website for elected officials, candidates, journalists, and, really, all Americans: ObamaCareWatch.org. Directed by noted health care expert (and frequent TWS contributor) James Capretta, the site provides one-stop shopping for anyone who wants daily updates on the current and anticipated effects of Obamacare, the facts and arguments about it, and new developments concerning it ...

US stock index futures pointed to another sharp market drop, with European markets also struggling, following a drubbing in the previous session as the Dow saw its worst point loss in 15 months...

I have a friend with a wealthy relative who died last week. The size of the friend's inheritance will be depend on whether (and how much) the decedant's estate will be taxed. Anyone know the latest on whether Congress will/can enact retroactive legislation to eliminate the 2010 complete exemption?

"bennelson" (emphasis on second syllable) -- def: the shameless offer and shameless acceptance of a bribe using other people's money, especially in a legislative context in order to purchase a crucial vote for a controversial legislative initiative.

VANITY: Just breaking on local news -- family of 5 or 6 murdered in Beason, IL near where I live.

Is it my imagination, or has all news coverage of the Iranian situation suddenly ceased in the last day or two? What is going on there?

Federal investigators recently made covert tape recordings of Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the most dramatic step yet in their corruption investigation of him and his administration, the Tribune has learned. As part of this undercover effort, one of the governor's closest confidants and former aides cooperated with investigators, and that assistance helped lead to recordings of the governor and others, sources said. The cooperation of John Wyma, 42, one of the state's most influential lobbyists, is the most stunning evidence yet that Blagojevich's once-tight inner circle appears to be collapsing under the pressure of myriad pay-to-play inquiries. Wyma, Blagojevich's chief...

I saw the ISS/Space Shuttle combo pass over Illinois tonight.

Decatur, Illinois My wife and I just felt a very noticeable earthquake.

Nothing but a banner.

Report: Man With Gun Spotted on Stony Brook University Campus (Banner Only.)

On the Spot (CNSNews.com) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the possibility of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) becoming president "sends a cold chill down my spine." Reid made his remarks Tuesday outside the Senate chambers when a reporter asked him about McCain, who is running for the Republican Party nomination for president. Pulling out his wallet and removing a white piece of paper, Reid told the reporter: "All I have to say about that is this. I have it right here, and you can put it in your little recording devices." Then, reading aloud, and quoting Sen. Thad...

An experimental, “clean” coal-fired power plant that was sought by Ohio and six other states might be scrapped because of its rising construction costs. The power plant, called FutureGen, was supposed to test methods to trap carbon dioxide, which is blamed for global warming. The plant's price nearly doubled in five years from $950 million to $1.8 billion. Department of Energy officials, who were supposed to pay 74 percent of the plant's cost, reportedly told federal lawmakers yesterday that they were dropping their support for FutureGen. Mike Mudd, a former American Electric Power executive and president of a group of...

Where did he go?

Illinois 5-1 (3-0 Big Ten)...do people still think Ron Zook should be fired?