Free Republic

The reporter walked into his office expecting a normal day at work: cup of coffee, call some sources, the usual routine. But this wasn’t going to be an ordinary day at all. His editor had other ideas. Darker ideas. The editor wanted an article on the new Dan Brown novel called “The Lost Symbol”, about a conspiracy by Freemasons in Washington. The long-awaited book features Robert Langdon, the hero of Brown’s previous smash hits “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels and Demons,” on a dramatic quest in and around Washington’s most famous landmarks to find a secret hidden long ago...

Re-enactor ready for 'Patriot' By Randy McNutt The Cincinnati Enquirer HANOVER TWP. — Larry and Mary Ellen Burns will be the first in line to see Mel Gibson's new film The Patriot. That's because the Butler County man was a hard-working extra in the Revolutionary War epic. “We were citizen-soldiers who had our socks knocked off by the Brits,” he said. “Then Mel rushed in and rescued us. We re-enactors who worked on the movie call it "Braveheart Comes to America.”' Mr. Burns saw an advertisement for extras in a re-enactors' magazine. He applied with a photograph of himself in ...

U.S. will honor most coins issued since 1793 Sunday, June 25, 2000 George Stebinsky For The Dispatch Dear Mr. Stebinsky: I would like to know whether an 1833 large cent has any monetary value. -- D.S., Chillicothe, Ohio Incredible as it may seem, the United States will still honor this nearly 175-year-old coin. The government will redeem all paper money issued after 1860 and all coins issued since 1793 except for a peculiar silver dollar struck from 1873 through 1885 for export use only. The government will not redeem the paper money it issued to finance the Revolution. These bills, ...

Business, GOP work to boot Resnick By Spencer Hunt Enquirer Columbus Bureau COLUMBUS — Republican Party leaders and advocacy groups will spend millions of dollars this year to make Alice Robie Resnick a household name. And they hope voters respond by showing her the door. Ms. Resnick, 60, is a Toledo Democrat who in her 12 years on the Ohio Supreme Court has so infuriated Republicans and their business allies with her decisions that they will mount an unprecedented campaign to knock her off the bench. Business interests already are funneling money into a group called Citizens for a Strong ...

This is a case for agents Scully and Mulder. A genuine X-File. The facts: 1. Gasoline prices suddenly blow up to well over $2 per gallon. 2. Prices escalate mainly in a relative handful of states — states like California, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan — that almost precisely mirror the list of key states in the 2000 presidential election. Coincidence? The truth is out there. Politicians, of course, have met the gasoline “crisis” with their usual automatic neuromuscular response. Standing upright, they raise arms in a postion perpendicular to their torsos and extend index fingers in a direction away from their ...

Fluoride debate in Ohio cities continues By The Associated Press DELAWARE, Ohio — At least 25 cities in Ohio don't add fluoride to their water supplies even though the American Dental Association has recommended doing so for more than 40 years. In 1969, Ohio lawmakers mandated fluoridation of municipal water supplies unless a city voted not to do it, either by ordinance or referendum. Since then in cities like Delaware, located 20 miles north of Columbus, voters have chosen not to add fluoride, citing reasons ranging from cancer risks to communist plots. “A lot of my patients who've moved here ...

Gore needs to find himself Candidate's ever-changing persona could bring trouble LEXINGTON — I know I sound like Beavis talking to Butthead, but Al Gore said “damned.” It was just a few days ago, during the vice president's presidential campaign visit to central Kentucky, when the man who is a heartbeat away from the most powerful position on earth couldn't fill a 400-seat hall. The Democratic presidential hopeful was in Lexington to announce his retirement savings plan, where the government would operate 401(k)-type accounts for millions of Americans. Mr. Gore was giving another of his heartfelt remembrances of growing up, ...

Artists armed 'The Patriot' Kentuckians crafted accurate guns, gear and taught Mel Gibson how to use them in Revolutionary War film WOODBURY, Ky. — Artists Frank and Lally House did not expect to stay long on the set of The Patriot, Mel Gibson's Revolutionary War epic that opens Wednesday. The couple went to South Carolina to deliver the historical reproductions they had labored ferociously to make in time for filming, particularly the flintlock rifle Frank created for the star. “I kind of figured they'd yank the gun out of my hand and send us back to Woodbury,” Frank said with ...

Separate lawyer sought for kids Conflict argued in adoption suit By Lucy May The Cincinnati Enquirer Lawyers for the Hamilton County Department of Human Services asked a federal judge Friday to appoint an independent advocate for county children waiting to be adopted. The lawyers argue the county has a conflict of interest because it represents both the children and the employees who are being sued over transracial adoption practices. “We don't want the children to suffer because we are embroiled in this lawsuit,” said Mindy Good, an agency spokeswoman. But a lawyer for the social worker and parents who are ...

Traficant: FBI corrupt Affidavit from informant says he was a target By M.R. Kropko The Associated Press CLEVELAND — U.S. Rep. James Traficant on Friday made public a sworn statement from a man who identified himself as a former paid FBI informant and who said Mr. Traficant is the FBI's investigative target. In the same affidavit, the man said an FBI agent asked him to kill a police detective. Mr. Traficant, D-Ohio, who said during his re-election campaign that he expects to soon be indicted, has accused FBI agents of breaking the federal racketeering law. “But what's even worse, they ...

Taft violin sold for record price By Janelle Gelfand The Cincinnati Enquirer When the Taft Stradivarius sold to the highest bidder at Christie's East on Friday, it went for much more than a song. The rare violin with Cincinnati ties sold for $1.326 million (with commission). It was a record price for a musical instrument sold through auction in the United States, said Kerry Keane, international head of Christie's musical instruments department. The Strad was bought by a private American collector and patron who will lend it to a professional soloist, he said. The new owner's name was not disclosed, ...

College Official Calls White Men 'Root of Most Evil' By Scott Hogenson CNS Executive Editor 21 April, 2000 (CNSNews.com) - A top University of Iowa official has apologized for a remark in which she referred to white men as "the root of most evil." University Relations Vice President Ann Rhodes made the comment Thursday when responding to a question about racist e-mails and a recent bomb threat at the school. "I figured it was going to be a white guy between 25 and 55 because they're the root of most evil," Rhodes said Thursday. The suspect apprehended in the case ...

Braves 13, Diamondbacks 5 March 18, 2000 CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- First, John Rocker got booed. Then, he was hit hard. The controversial reliever entered in the sixth inning of Atlanta's 13-5 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday after Kerry Ligtenberg was hit in the face by a ball off the bat of Quinton McCracken. Until then, the 24,500 fans at Universitario Stadium cheered the players in the opener of a two-game exhibition series. But Rocker, suspended for the first two weeks of the season by commissioner Bud Selig for disparaging foreigners, homosexuals and minorities in a magazine interview, immediately ...

So You Want To Buy A Gun Oct. 1999 Lurker Just Another Opinion So You Want To Buy A Gun OK, you have thought about it a lot. You have heard all the arguments on both sides, and you have decided for whatever reason to arm yourself. This is good. The second question you have to answer is why do you want a gun. If you want a gun to put meat on the table, that is one thing. But, if you are buying a weapon with which you hope to be able to defend your life, your freedom, and ...

Dr. Keyes is hotter than the Buchanan/Fulani controversy, and bigger than George W. Bush did cocaine smears! The Keyes threads fill up faster than the newest, coolest restaurant in town on a Saturday night! Then with all 40 versions of the Registered Bush/Keyes banners, you are talking big big big! If the Keyesters could have gotten Dr. Keyes this much publicity when he had a shot, he might be somewhere today. As it is, he has 5% and is bashing George W., who has the nomination locked up. If Dr. Keyes wants to pull a John "McEgo" McCain to keep ...

Quick Fix For The Dish Deprived: None of us would actually go out and buy U.S. News and World Report even though their Washington Whispers column does deliver. Here's some chewy items to munch on. Enjoy. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/000306/6whisplead.htm Murdoch and McCain, Together At Last: The New York Post jumps out early this morning with an endorsement of John McCain. Insiders heard these dark mumblings several weeks ago now it's finally happened. Should shake up the Republican establishment - as though they haven't been shaken AND stirred of late. http://www.nypostonline.com/news/john.htm The Bitchiness Is Back: Maureen Dowd who has sheathed her claws ...

We Feel Your Pain: This is a typical E mail in this morning's pile. From L.dotter Trish. "I'm going to enter myself into a 12 step program if you don't get L.com up...SOON!!!!! I'm smoking about 2 packs an hour. I may start drinking. I may divorce my husband. Please get our life support up SOON!!! Is this some kind of punsihment for being for Dubbya???? Is this a vast left-wing conspiracy from a right-winger?? If I promise not to blab about GW anymore, will you fix the L.com site???? I think McCain did this."" The L.com staff wants all ...

The backup site for Free Republic is here: Free Republic. Go here if FR is slow or down to get the latest. But the real news is that we finally moved past the club "Emperor Might Joe's New Order"! YES! Keep it up Freepers! If you haven't joined yet, go and join! FR is currently in 13th place, with 625 members. Our real target should be to knock off the club with the most members: "Gay Men in the Army". Thank you for your support.

Friday, February 25, 2000 Note to Our Readers: Lucianne.com is currently under construction and moving to a new, more powerful server. Please check back here from time to time. This shouldn't take long. Thank you for your patience. Thanks to you and your overwhelming interest and participation we just grew too fast. Be back soon. Lucianne Goldberg