Free Republic

Given a legitimate need to protect Earth from the most intense forms of space weather – great bursts of electromagnetic energy and particles that can sometimes stream from the sun – some people worry that a gigantic "killer solar flare" could hurl enough energy to destroy Earth. Citing the accurate fact that solar activity is currently ramping up in its standard 11-year cycle, there are those who believe that 2012 could be coincident with such a flare. But this same solar cycle has occurred over millennia. Anyone over the age of 11 has already lived through such a solar maximum...

(Excerpt): he envoy had only met the woman a few times, during which she had hidden her face behind a niqab, the Gulf News reported. After the marriage contract was signed, the ambassador attempted to kiss his bride-to-be. It was only then that he discovered her facial hair and eyes. ... He sued for the contract to be annulled ....

AN Arab ambassador has annulled his marriage after discovering his veiled wife-to-be had a BEARD and was cross-eyed. The diplomat had only met the woman a few times, during which she had hidden her face behind a niqab. Local media reported that after the marriage contract was signed, the man tried to give his new wife a smooch only to find she had facial hair.

The FBI and the Los Angeles Fire Department are investigating an anonymous claim that animal rights extremists placed an unexploded incendiary device found under the car of a prominent UCLA eye doctor last weekend. The incident was similar to one last year in which another UCLA researcher was the intended target. A gasoline-filled device was discovered Sunday by the car outside the Westside home of Dr. Arthur Rosenbaum, who is chief of pediatric ophthalmology at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute. The device did not ignite despite evidence of an attempt to light it, authorities said Thursday. An e-mail on Wednesday...

“What are greater: the differences among us as Republicans or the difference between us and the Democrats?” Three years ago, in one of the highest voter turnout elections in California history, the Republican candidates for governor received a combined 62 percent of the vote to the Democrats’ 31 percent – literally two votes to one. Now that’s a fact. And it’s an important one, because it’s a fact that we have the opportunity to repeat – and then some – less than nine months from now. Three years ago, Californians knew that their futures were on the line – they...

Colin Farrell is taking a break. The Hollywood hunk, known for his work-hard-play-harder attitude, is being treated for a dependency to prescription medication, publicist Danica Smith said Monday. According to a statement from Smith, Farrell got hooked on pain pills after suffering a back injury. He voluntarily checked himself into the treatment facility, which has not been identified. Smith says the actor is also coping with "exhaustion." "No other comments [are] to be made this time," Smith said.

"Sub Rosa Vepres" Posted by Doc Farmer Saturday, June 28, 2003 We’re all familiar with the Latin phrase ''Sub Rosa'' (under the rose) which stands for something secret or hidden. Well, now I believe we should add a new phrase to the lexicon: ''Sub Rosa Vepres,'' or under the rose bush. Thanks to our friendly neighbourhood Iraqi Nuclear Weapons Developers, that is. Yes, you’ve read by now that one of these scientists under Saddam Hussein’s employ (see also: death threat) was ordered to hide critical atomic weapons development equipment in his back yard, under (of all things) a rose bush....

Sex Secrets of the Clonaid Group developing on Drudge....developing..breaking..

A nationwide screening of newborn babies has brought to light high incidence of genetic disorders in the Kingdom compared to Western countries.This was disclosed to Arab News by Dr. Stephen R.Schroeder, executive director of Prince Salman Center for Disability Research (PSCDR). He said preliminary screening of 10,000-15,000 babies in Riyadh, Jeddah, Qassim and Abha has shown that these genetic disorders could have been the result of consanguineous marriages.According to the principal investigators, Dr. Colin Hodgkinson and Dr.Vandana Bharucha, the incidence of genetic disorders among children occurs at a rate that is between five and 40 times higher than in many...