Free Republic

I won't be intimidated for expressing my viewsPeople who object to her criticism of Islam should take her to court rather than take the law into their own hands, Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali tells Abi Daruvalla. Hirsi Ali has been moved to a safe house following new death threats and the publication of her private address on an Islamic website just four days after her controversial film 'Submission' was screened on Dutch TV. Ayaan Hirsi Ali was always irritated at the lack of freedom under Islam Somali-born Hirsi Ali, 34, is herself a former Muslim and an outspoken...

A state protection agency for disabled persons on Wednesday was planning to launch an investigation into alleged spousal abuse against Terri Schiavo, the severely brain damaged woman whose feeding tube was reinserted this week after intervention by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Jeb Bush.

Governor Bill Richardson said today that the death of sixteen year old Marissa Mathy-Zweifler, allegedly at the hands of a sex offender on probation, points out what he calls the horrendous failure of our criminal justice system to deal with violent sexual offenders. "Make no mistake," said the governor. "I am committed to making effective prevention, prosecution and long-term treatment and monitoring of violent sex offenders a reality in New Mexico." The governor wants more treatment, including doubling the 54 beds now available for dangerous sex offenders in the state penitentiary system. He says New Mexico has puny probation and...

Domestic violence - one safe place? Officer Jim Cooper has become a familiar face at the shelter. Although he comes by to check on all the women, he is particularly attentive to one: A 35-year-old Albanian woman, Luljeta. For Cooper, she has become something of a personal crusade. Luljeta's husband started beating her early in their eight-year marriage. The cables he used left scars on her back. After the sixth year he also began bringing other women into their home. Luljeta ran away twice, but each time her husband found her and brought her back. This time he has not...