http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/frontpage-news/ en-us Sun, 5 Jul 2009 19:30:31 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286056/posts When Pope Benedict XVI greets U.S. President Barack Obama at the Vatican on July 10, the symbolism and sheer star power of the encounter will keep the pundits chattering away. The photo op alone is worth a thousand words: The 82-year-old man in white, the world's most recognizable religious leader and head of its largest single denomination comes face-to-face with the charismatic first black President of the world's last superpower. And the scheduling efforts of both the Vatican and the White House suggest a shared appreciation of the symbolic weight the first encounter between Obama and Benedict could carry. It... Time http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286056/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 19:30:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286025/posts SEGUIN — For some of us, Independence Day is more important than for others. But back in 1942, it all nearly came to naught for the forward observer with the first Texas military unit to ever see combat on foreign soil. One of the very first to see action in World War II and the most decorated military unit in the history of the Lone Star state, Buzzo’s unit, the second battalion of the 131st Field Artillery, was surrendered and captured at Java on March 8, 1942. Of some 900 men taken prisoner at Java, about 670 were shipped to... The Gazette-Enterprise http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286025/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 18:10:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286022/posts Big admission from Vice President Joe Biden today. "The truth is, we and everyone else misread the economy," Biden told me during our exclusive "This Week" interview in Iraq. Biden acknowledged administration officials were too optimistic earlier this year when they predicted the unemployment rate would peak at 8 percent as part of their effort to sell the stimulus package. The national unemployment rate has ballooned to 9.5 percent in June -- the worst in 26 years. ABC News blogs http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286022/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 18:04:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285991/posts Obama and TV Networks Forge Relationship Updated: Sunday, 05 Jul 2009, 1:00 PM EDT Published : Sunday, 05 Jul 2009, 12:59 PM EDT By DAVID BAUDER AP Television Writer NEW YORK - Even President Barack Obama, a gleam in his eye as he talked at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner two weeks ago, seemed to recognize the special relationship he's forged with TV networks in the opening months of his administration. "A few nights ago I was up tossing and turning and trying to figure out exactly what to say," he said. "Finally, when I couldn't get back... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285991/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 17:13:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285983/posts From "45 Communist Goals": Congressional Record--Appendix, pp. A34-A35 January 10, 1963:1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 'Goals' 4-45 can be found here or at many other sites through a web search for "45 goals":http://www.uhuh.com/nwo/communism/comgoals.htm ____________________________________________________________ From Obama's recent speech in Cairo: "No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in... various sources http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285983/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 16:51:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285978/posts Vice President Joe Biden says the U.S. will not stand in Israel's way if Israel believes military action is needed to eliminate Iran's nuclear threat. Biden says the U.S. "cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do." AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285978/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 16:41:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285963/posts WASHINGTON -- Vice President Joe Biden said the Obama administration "misread how bad the economy was" but stands by its stimulus package and believes the plan will create more jobs as the pace of its spending picks up. Biden, in an interview airing Sunday on ABC's "This Week," said the nation's 9.5 percent unemployment rate is "much too high." "The figures we worked off of in January were the consensus figures and most of the blue chip indexes out there," Biden said. "We misread how bad the economy was, but we are now only about 120 days into the recovery... Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285963/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 16:11:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285945/posts There is, perhaps, no subject that currently stands greater in importance—not to mention confusion, hype and hysteria—than the topic of climate change (formerly referred to as global warming). Regardless of man’s influence on the climate, policies under active debate and consideration could entirely change the way that we produce, and consume, energy to fuel our economy and lifestyle. This issue spans the globe, impacting both developed and developing countries. Whether the planet is in peril, or whether the risk is an artifice, potential climate change legislation will come with inescapable consequences, both intended and unintended; yet, the climate benefits may... Science & Public Policy Institute http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285945/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 15:15:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285929/posts Today, ordinary Texans brought Governor Rick Perry’s road privatization, toll road, and Trans Texas Corridor agenda to a screeching halt. The Legislature adjourned without re-authorizing private toll road contracts called Comprehensive Development Agreements (or CDAs). The grassroots scored another victory by KILLING the revolving fund in HB 1, preventing the $2 billion in bonds from being spent to build toll roads, convert freeways to toll roads, or subsidize private toll deals, as well as protecting public employee pension funds from risky toll roads schemes that are failing all over the world. “It is a hard-fought victory for the grassroots. We... TURF http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285929/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 14:52:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285864/posts Muslims apparently angered because a Christian man driving a tractor reportedly tried to pass a Muslim on a motorcycle have rampaged in one village in Pakistan, destroying Christians' homes and throwing acid on women and children as they fled, according to a new report from Barnabas Aid. The ministry reported that the violence this week happened in the village of Bahmani Walla in Punjab state in Pakistan, which is dominated by Islamic influences. The report said 600 Muslims used gasoline bombs to vandalize 117 homes belonging to Christians – including 48 damaged by fire, and sabotage water pumps and cut... WND http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285864/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 12:41:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285829/posts Report says NKorea's Kim convalescing by the sea Sun Jul 5, 2:46 am ET SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has been living at an east coast villa since mid-May and is likely convalescing after reportedly suffering a stroke last year, a newspaper said Sunday citing U.S. and South Korean intelligence. AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285829/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 10:42:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285810/posts Even for a nonconformist, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin defies political logic with her sudden, stunning announcement to leave office more than a year early. Supporters and critics alike say the former GOP vice presidential candidate’s resignation, announced Friday afternoon and effective July 26, is an inexplicable move for a high profile Republican widely seen as a contender for a White House run in 2012. A half-term governor campaigning for president? --snip-- Pam Pryor, a spokeswoman for Palin’s political action committee, said the group continues to accept donations on its Web site, which saw an uptick in contributions Friday afternoon.(continued at... The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader / The Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285810/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 09:08:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285803/posts SNIPPET: "British militants are pushing for the overthrow of the Pakistani state. Followers of the fundamentalist group Hizb ut-Tahrir have called for a “bloodless military coup” in Islamabad and the creation of the caliphate in which strict Islamic laws would be rigorously enforced. Members of the group, which describes itself as the Liberation party in Britain but is banned in Pakistan, revealed last week that it had targeted the country as a base from which to spread Islamic rule across the world. The Sunday Times has obtained the names of a dozen British Hizb ut-Tahrir activists based in Lahore and... TIMESonline.co.uk - The Sunday Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285803/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 07:44:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285791/posts (LEAD) N. Korean missile launches aimed at improving accuracy: official SEOUL, July 5 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's latest missile launches appear to have been aimed at improving the missiles' accuracy, a South Korean official said Sunday, noting the launches may have provided some results. "Five out of seven missiles North Korea fired yesterday landed within the same area in the East Sea, about 420 kilometers from the launch site," the official said, asking not to be identified. "This means the accuracy of North Korean missiles is improving," the official added. North Korea is said to have about 1,000 ballistic missiles... Yonhap News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285791/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 06:46:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285767/posts The head of Mossad, Israel’s overseas intelligence service, has assured Benjamin Netanyahu, its prime minister, that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran’s nuclear sites. Earlier this year Meir Dagan, Mossad’s director since 2002, held secret talks with Saudi officials to discuss the possibility. The Israeli press has already carried unconfirmed reports that high-ranking officials, including Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister, held meetings with Saudi colleagues. The reports were denied by Saudi officials. “The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their... The Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285767/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 05:01:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285753/posts Hubby and I attended today's Tea Party in Ft. Lauderdale where over a thousand other Patriots came to take back our country. Pics at: Ft. Lauderdale Tea Party Happy 4th of July! Self http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285753/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 04:07:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285748/posts Ratcheting up her offensive against the news media, Gov. Sarah Palin’s attorney threatened Saturday to sue mainstream news organizations if they publish “defamatory” stories relating to whether Palin is under federal investigation. In an extraordinary four-page letter, Alaska-based attorney Thomas Van Flein warns of severe consequences should speculation that until now has largely been confined to blogs about whether Palin embezzled funds in the construction of a Wasilla, Alaska, sports arena find its way into print. “This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285748/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 03:41:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285712/posts More than 15,000 people from Bakersfield to Modesto gathered at the International Agri-Center Saturday for the Freedom Rally Tea Party Saturday. The event had several speakers, talking about their viewpoints of the country's government. “We believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility and the free market and think that’s something Americans should get behind,” said Jared Gordon, Central Valley Tea Party spokesperson. Visalia Times Delta http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285712/posts#comment Sun, 5 Jul 2009 01:35:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285673/posts The Obama White House has made clear in the past its impatience with North Korea for the communist country's provocative rhetoric and displays of firepower, but so far Saturday, the administration -- possibly by design -- has remained silent on Korea's latest missile barrage. North Korea launched seven mid-range missiles off its eastern coast, presumably timed to coincide with the United States' Independence Day. It was a show of firepower that echoed a North Korea's missile launch three years ago that also fell on the Fourth of July holiday. U.S. officials have said they don't expect a launch anytime soon... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285673/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 23:52:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285634/posts Ousted President Manuel Zelaya has vowed to return to Honduras on Sunday, despite being threatened with arrest. In a speech on the regional TV channel, Telesur, Mr. Zelaya said he woul arrive along with several other presidents. Mr. Zelaya, who was forced out by the military on Sunday, criticised the leaders of the interim government and described them as traitors. The Organization of American States is holding an extraordinary session and is expected to vote to suspend Honduras. "I am organising my return to Honduras....This is the return of the president elected by the soverign will of the people," he... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285634/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 21:49:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285603/posts Shot down five times, he received Navy Cross medals during World War II and the Korean War. Injuries suffered in the Vietnam War forced him to retire after 27 years of service. LA TIMES http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285603/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 20:48:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285543/posts NAWA, Afghanistan – Taliban militants were nowhere in sight as the columns of U.S. Marines walked a third straight day across southern Afghanistan. But the desert heat proved an enemy in its own right, with several troops falling victim Saturday to temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The Marines carry 50-100 pounds (23-45 kilograms) on their backs. But because they are marching through farmland on foot, they can't carry nearly as much water as their thirst demands. Few even realized the date was July 4, ... a world away from the strenuous task Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285543/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 18:13:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285545/posts The liberal Talking Points Memo website, which is deemed a respectable political site by the mainstream media which regularly quotes from their articles, published an article last night that speculated Alaska Governor Sarah Palin resigned because "she wants to spread Down syndrome." Palin's infant son Trig was born last year with Down syndrome.Amazingly, the article was published at 11:51 p.m., hours after the Huffington Post had issued an apology over a similarly themed article that the site pulled after it was highlighted by Free Republic.The TPM article, entitled Possible Reasons for Sarah Palin's Resignation and Other Schadenfreude, was written by... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285545/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 18:18:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285427/posts SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, a violation of U.N. resolutions and an apparent message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day. The launches, which came two days after North Korea fired what were believed to be four short-range cruise missiles, will likely further escalate tensions in the region as the U.S. tries to muster support for tough enforcement of the latest U.N. Security Council resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said three missiles... Miami Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285427/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 14:46:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285359/posts Members of Congress said Thursday that details of their expense claims wouldn't be posted online before mid-November at the earliest -- two and a half months later than the deadline previously set for publishing them in an electronic format for the first time. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the House Chief Administrative Officer to put information about expenses claimed by members of the House on the Internet "at the earliest date," in an announcement reversing a longstanding policy of providing the information only in books totaling about 12,000 pages a year. The chief administrative officer, a congressional employee, set an... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2285359/posts#comment Sat, 4 Jul 2009 11:54:46 GMT