Free Republic

Crackdowns on illegal immigrants and other law enforcement efforts are driving gangs out of Northern Virginia and into Maryland and the District, a report released Monday concluded. "Many gang members from Northern Virginia are moving or driving to Prince George's and other Maryland counties, into the District of Columbia or further south and west into Virginia to avoid dealing with police departments that are unrelenting in their efforts to keep gangs under control," authorities wrote in the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force report. The report said the task force's success is the result of Virginia law enforcement's use of...

Oct 21, 2009 — Plants are not as stationary as one might think. Parts of them, like seeds, can travel for miles. One good example is the maple seed. Its little helicopter seeds can catch an updraft and fly a long distance from the tree. Now, engineers at University of Maryland have imitated its physics and designed a radio-controlled mono-copter that can sustain stable flight for hours...

Hi All, We were watching Beck late last night (DDR) when Brett Bahr (sp) came on an spoke of his upcoming show. He mentioned that ABC, CBS etc demanded that FOX attend the meeting with one of the CZar (I think the PAY Czar) My wife and I were dumbstruck. This should have been headline news. Did anyone else hear this, anywhere else?

It recently came to light that individuals employed by ACORN have been apparent accomplices with regard to the conduct of alleged criminal activities. Surprisingly, it was the investigative ingenuity of ordinary citizens who brought this information to the attention of the public. As a Member of Congress, these relevations are of interest to me in that ACORN is the beneficiary of substantial federal funding. As the former Attorney General of my state of California, this story is of great concern to me for an entirely different reason. Ironically, it is those who revealed the alleged illegal acts, rather than the...

Polish Prime Minister, Peeved Over Missile Shield Reversal, Rejects Call from Clinton Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk insisted Thursday the United States and Poland remain close allies even after President Obama's decision to drop plans for a missile defense shield in the Eastern European country, but it's apparently not a sentiment he felt Wednesday night. FOXNews.com Friday, September 18, 2009 The United States and Poland remain close allies despite President Obama's decision to drop plans for a missile defense shield in the Eastern European country, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk insisted Thursday. But Tusk may have felt differently Wednesday night,...

Father Leo Patalinghug was making the marinade for his fajitas in front of a crowd at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., where he serves as director of pastoral field education for the seminary — and TV cameras. He thought the Food Network was filming a show about Grace Before Meals, his ministry dedicated to fostering stronger communities through stronger families, one meal at a time. But the priest-chef wasn’t just cooking for the gathered crowd or TV that June day.“I was talking and I realized that standing two feet away listening to me was Bobby Flay,” recalled Father...

Russia deploys missiles along border with North Korea Tony Halpin in Moscow Russia has put defences on alert along its border with North Korea amid tensions over possible new missile tests by the secretive Communist regime. The Kremlin ordered troops to deploy Russia’s most advanced missile defence system, the S-400, to intercept any threats from North Korea’s nuclear programme. General Nikolai Makarov, the head of the Russian army, said that a mobile battery of 32 surface-to-air missiles had been put into operation in anticipation of any Korean tests. “We are taking these preventative measures as a security guarantee against faulty...

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- The Sierra Club has joined other environmental groups in intervening in Virginia proceedings to try to block a high-voltage multistate transmission line. The Sierra Club, represented by Earthjustice, said it filed papers Monday with Virginia's State Corporation Commission. SCC spokesman Ken Schrad says Monday was the deadline for intervening in the $1.9 billion line proposed by Pennsylvania's Allegheny Energy Co. and Ohio's American Electric Power Co. The Piedmont Environmental Council and the National Wildlife Federation also have filed notices of participation. The 765-kilovolt Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, or PATH, would run across parts of northern Virginia and...

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CHICAGO, July 16 (Reuters) - U.S. researchers have found a way to block the genetic flaw that causes a common form of muscular dystrophy, the team reported on Thursday. Mice injected with a compound that neutralizes faulty gene activity regained the use of muscles frozen by myotonic dystrophy, the researchers said. "We haven't corrected the underlying gene abnormality," said Dr. Charles Thornton of the University of Rochester in New York, whose study appears in the journal Science. "What we've done is made it behave in a more mannerly fashion," Thornton said in a telephone interview. The research relies on a...

The Frederick Police Department is looking for a man who invaded a home at 207 S. Jefferson St. early this morning, according to police. Officers went to the scene about 2:49 a.m. after shots were reportedly fired, police stated. A white man with dark hair, believed to be named Kevin, had forced his way into the home, police said. The man allegedly took money from a resident, who fired two shots at the man, Lt. Clark Pennington, police spokesman, said. Police do not believe the man was injured. Witnesses said the man was wearing shorts and a dark shirt, Pennington...

An exchange of gunfire between a security guard and an alleged robber at the Mars Super Market on Maiden Choice Lane and Westland Boulevard, in Arbutus, Sunday evening left the alleged robber with several gunshot wounds, according to Baltimore County police. It also left the store, at the Maiden Choice Shopping Center in the 1000 block of Maiden Choice Lane, without some of its front windows — which were boarded up Monday morning. Neither the guard nor any customers in the store were injured, police said. At 6:52 p.m. June 21, Jamison Harvey Johnson, 40, entered the store and “announced...

A Prince George's County woman fatally shot her husband in an apparent act of self-defense Saturday after he attacked her at the Capitol Heights duplex where the pair lived in separate units, according to police and neighbors. Just after 8 a.m., authorities said, police were called to the home in the 700 block of Capitol Heights Boulevard on a report of a domestic dispute. In front of the house, they found Richard Marcellous Wilson, 30, with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police said Wilson's wife fired the fatal shot. The circumstances of the...

There are still lots of FReepers who have not chosen to fly their flag. You don't have to provide any additional information, although lots of FReepers have provide pictures, e-mail addresses, and the like, you don't have to! It would be nice if you would at least "fly your flag".This allows other FReepers in your state to FReepmail you to let you know about local FR events - rallies, chapter meetings, and other activist events. Even if you don't plan to participate, it'll keep you informed of what is happening in your state. Now, FLY YOUR FLAGS! Even if you...

Rally against any 2 state - PLO state that will attack Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport. Support Israel - please demonstrate with us and bring your signs to show how you feel about this Obama/Hillary betrayal of Israel and America! NO NUKES FOR IRAN! -- BIBI: STAND FIRM! ADDITIONAL RALLIES: We will also hold rallies against this Obama `sellout` in front of the Federal Building in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on June 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Broward Blvd. and 3rd Ave.

Baltimore, Md., Jun 5, 2009 / 02:30 pm (CNA).- Pat Evans had big dreams when she helped coordinate a rosary-making campaign for U.S. servicemen six years ago at St. Mary in Annapolis. Still, she can hardly believe the effort has blossomed to 25 nationwide parishes and Catholic institutions and is nearing the 300,000th crafted “ranger rosary.” Evans sees the work as a mission and a way of letting the troops know they aren’t forgotten. It provides soldiers, sailors and airmen a means of holding onto their Catholic faith as they serve far from home. “It’s amazing,” Evans said. “This just...

US improves ability to hit N.Korean missiles -general Reuters - Wednesday, June 3 By Jim Wolf WASHINGTON, June 2 - The United States has fine-tuned its ability to shoot down long-range missiles that could be launched by North Korea based on a trio of tests mimicking such an attack, the head of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said Tuesday. "We have made adjustments to give ourselves even higher confidence, even though we have intercepted three out of three times in that scenario," Army Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly told a missile-defense conference at the Pentagon's National Defense University. O'Reilly, in response...

OC Family Grateful Editor: Saturday, April 25, 2009 was a beautiful day, and it was made even more wonderful by the outpouring of affection expressed toward Captain Robert S. Craig at his Beach Memorial Service. The Craig children and family appreciate all that was done to honor our “Pop,” a man so many in Ocean City have known and loved for so many years. The Beach Memorial was truly memorable and more special than we could have possibly imagined. We have many people to thank for their efforts in making it happen. We learned very quickly that organizing such an...

Heather Golczynski and her 8-year-old son Christian hold tightly to the memory of Marine Staff Sgt. Marc Golczynski. Choking back tears, Christian Golczynski accepted the flag from his father's casket. Photographer Aaron Thompson described this moment as "the most emotionally moving event I may have ever witnessed and may ever witness in my life." *snip* Just days before he left for his second tour, Marc sent a letter to his family that would be his epitaph. "Due to our deep desire to finish the job we started, we fight and sometimes die so that our families don't have to....

(At right) Flanked by friends and family members, a wreath is carried down the beach to be released into the ocean in memory of Craig, "founding father" of the Beach Patrol. Carrying the wreath is the current head of the organization, Capt. Butch Arbin, who is flanked by Craig's son, Robert Craig, and grandson, Christopher Craig. (Above) Sean Williams pushes a surf board, carrying the wreath and the ashes of Capt. Craig, toward a Coast Guard boat, which released the wreath farther from the shore.

Mrs. Bush speaking in Gaston Hall at Georgetown University on Dec. 4, 2006, with "IHS" on pediment behind her. (White House photo) (CNSNews.com) – As First Lady, Laura Bush spoke at Georgetown University in front of the same "IHS"--a symbol for the name of Jesus--that the Jesuit school covered over when President Barack Obama spoke there on Tuesday.   On Dec. 4, 2006, Mrs. Bush spoke on the same Gaston Hall stage that President Obama used for his speech on Tuesday. Mrs. Bush was speaking to announce a partnership between the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council and Georgetown University.  The event was captured by a White House photograph that shows the IHS on...

Ryan Andrew Myers, 23 year old son of western Maryland delegate LeRoy Myers Jr was killed yesterday in a motorcycle accident.

News Release: April 8, 2009 Memorial Service planned to honor Captain Robert S. Craig Ocean City, MD – A memorial service for Captain Robert (Bob) S. Craig will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25 on the beach at North Division Street. Captain Craig passed away on Saturday, March 28 at the age of 90. Captain Craig joined the Ocean City Beach Patrol in 1935 and served as its captain from 1946 until retiring in 1987. Captain Craig is credited with building the Ocean City Beach Patrol into the professional organization it is known as today. When Captain Craig turned...

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City lost a treasured icon this week when Captain Robert S. Craig, who shepherded the Beach Patrol through decades of change and inspired his young charges for half a century passed away at the age of 90. Captain Craig, as he was known for decades not only by the thousands of lifeguards who worked with him and for him but also by the countless millions of local residents and visitors to the resort area, passed away last Saturday at the Coastal Hospice in Salisbury at the age of 90. A former schoolteacher and coach, Captain Craig...

(April 3, 2009) The man who not only epitomized the Ocean City Beach Patrol, but also built it into a serious and professional organization, passed away Saturday. When Capt. Robert (Bob) S. Craig turned 90 last July, a competition, dinner and slide show honored him for his 52 years as a town employee and member of the Beach Patrol. Thousands knew Craig from his years guiding the Beach Patrol and taking it from a small, relatively unskilled group of young men to a large group of highly skilled young men and women. Capt. Butch Arbin, the current head of the...

An experimental procedure that dramatically strengthens stem cells' ability to regenerate damaged tissue could offer new hope to sufferers of muscle-wasting diseases such as myopathy and muscular dystrophy, according to researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The world-first procedure has been successfully used to regrow muscles in a mouse model, but it could be applied to all tissue-based illnesses in humans such as in the liver, pancreas or brain, the researchers say. The research team, [...] adapted a technique currently being trialled in bone marrow transplantation. Adult stem cells are given a gene that makes them resistant...

PITTSBURGH -- Target 11 has learned a Cranberry company that monitors peer-to-peer file-sharing networks discovered what it said is a potentially serious security breach involving President Barack Obama’s helicopter. Tiversa employees found engineering and communications information about Marine One at an IP address in Tehran, Iran. Bob Boback, CEO of Tiversa, said, ”We found a file containing entire blueprints and avionics package for Marine One,which is the president's helicopter." The company was able to trace the file back to its original source. "What appears to be a defense contractor in Bethesda, MD had a file sharing program on one of...

Defense chief warns North Korea against missile launch Friday 27th February, 11:59 AM JST TOKYO — Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada suggested Friday that Japan might shoot down a North Korean ballistic missile with its ballistic missile shield if the missile is coming toward Japan. ‘‘The Defense Ministry has long been considering such a thing (intercepting a North Korean ballistic missile),’’ Hamada told a news conference. ‘‘It’s not something we have to comment on in one way or another just because we have a situation like this now.’’ His comments came after Pyongyang’s announcement Tuesday that full-fledged preparations are under way...

U.S. intercepted N. Korean missiles three times in scenarios: Pentagon By Hwang Doo-hyong WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- The United States has successfully intercepted missiles flying from North Korea three times in scenarios to test its missile defense system, a senior Pentagon official said Wednesday. "Based on the scenarios that we've tested three times, although it's limited and it's in the beginning, those scenarios overlay a launch from North Korea and a response out of Alaska," Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, director of the Missile Defense Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee's...

U.S. Warns It May Shoot Down N.Korean Missile The U.S. state and defense secretaries on Tuesday warned North Korea against a missile test for which the Stalinist country seems to be preparing. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters if North Korea is preparing to test-fire a ballistic missile with the continental United States considered a potential target, then the U.S. could shoot it down. But Gates added, "Since the first time that they launched the missile (in 2006) it flew for a few minutes before crashing, the range of the Taepodong-2 remains to be seen. So far, it's very short."...

February 5, 2009 Note: the following text is a quote: http://baltimore.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/ba020509.htm PAKISTANI NATIONAL PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO OPERATE AN UNLICENSED MONEY REMITTING BUSINESS Baltimore, Maryland - Imdad Ullah Ranjha, age 34, a Pakistani national residing in Glen Burnie, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to operate an unlicensed money remitting business, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. According to his guilty plea, Imdad Ranjha worked at Hamza, Inc., a money remitter business in the District of Columbia operated by co-defendant Saifullah Ranjha (S. Ranjha). A cooperating witness, acting at the direction of law...

Michael Steele / Photo Credit: Rockville Central Washington DC, Jan 30, 2009 / 07:29 pm (CNA).- The Republican National Committee has chosen Michael Steele, a devout Catholic who is well-known for his charisma and strong work ethic, as its new chairman.Steele, who previously served as the lieutenant governor of Maryland, is the first black chairman of the Republican Party. He was selected after six rounds of voting with 91 votes out of a possible 168. Steele beat out Ken Blackwell, Ohio's former secretary of state, and Saul Anuzis, Michigan GOP chairman, to win the chairmanship. Some Republicans questioned Steele's conservative...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - M&T Bank Corp (MTB.N) said on Friday it agreed to buy Provident Bankshares Corp (PBKS.O) in an all-stock deal valued at around $400 million in an effort to expand its branch network in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region. Provident Bankshares, based in Baltimore, is the second major bank in Maryland to agree to sell itself this month. U.S. banks are broadly looking to expand their branch networks to boost their reliance on stable funding from deposits as borrowing in debt markets becomes increasingly expensive and unreliable.

Capital One Financial Corp. said yesterday that it will acquire Bethesda-based Chevy Chase Bank for $520 million in cash and stock, expanding its presence in its own backyard. Privately held Chevy Chase Bank has a sizable presence in the Baltimore area, where it is the 14th-largest bank, according to the most recent figures from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The bank has about $11 billion in deposits, with nearly 300 branches in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Thirty-four branches are in the Baltimore area. Two years ago, the bank bought naming rights to the University of Maryland's...

Austin Hill hosts “The Evening Show with Austin Hill” from 8 - 10 p.m. ET on 630 WMAL, Washington, D.C. Austin Hill is a part of the next generation of American media personalities. He hosts the evening show for Washington, DC's 630 WMAL, and is a frequent guest host for the syndicated "Brian and the Judge" program and "The Tom Sullivan Show," on the Fox NewsTalk Radio Network. He also periodically guest hosts the syndicated "Hugh Hewitt Show"on the Salem Radio Network, and is a frequent fill-in on other great radio stations throughout the United States, including KFI AM...

Last night, during Austin Hill's radio show on 630 WMAL in Washington, DC, a caller named Max from Arlington (VA) called in suggesting that Americans grab their plungers (a sanitized one, please!) and march at the Washington Mall with plungers in hand and in support of John McCain and Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber -- and to reject the Democratic Congress and also Barack Obama and his absurd tax policies. I thought it was an excellent call and a great idea! E-mail Austin at the link provided if you're interested in this.

Plus, Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) will be on at about 8:35 p.m. ET Austin Hill hosts "The Evening Show" on 630 WMAL, Washington, DC Mondays through Fridays from 8 - 10 p.m. ET. LISTEN LIVE: http://www.630wmal.com/Article.asp?id=453473 http://radiotime.com/program/p_57658/The_Evening_Show.aspx CALL AUSTIN AT 888 630 9625

Russia to build missile defence shield and renew nuclear deterrence The Russian President has signalled a new arms deal with the US Tony Halpin in Moscow Russia is to build new space and missile defence shields and put its armed forces on permanent combat alert, President Medvedev announced yesterday. In a sharp escalation of military rhetoric, Mr Medvedev ordered a wholesale renovation of Russia’s nuclear deterrence and told military chiefs to draw up plans to reorganise the armed forces by December. He said that Russia must modernise its nuclear defences within eight years, including the creation of a “system of...

My wife had surgery last week and just got out of the hospital today (yes, she's fine...considering her body was sliced open!). She was a guest of the Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital in Baltimore for this festive occasion. From what we saw (i.e., YMMV), an excellent experience. Talented surgeons, outstanding nursing staff, the hospital was actually clean, etc., etc., etc. (be careful of the meatloaf, though...) Of course, any of us who have ever had experience in the hospital know that hospitals are no place to get any kind of rest. Last night, for my wife, was no exception to...

Fifty years ago, 899 young men gathered in the then-new Naval Academy field house to hear a graduation address by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. After four grueling years of military and academic training, their numbers had dwindled by a quarter,but for those who had survived, promising futures stretched out ahead. [snip] "We're not going out looking for another job, especially one that's as overwhelming as being president of the United States," said Potter, who planned to travel from California to attend the reunion. "Many of us wonder, 'Where does he get the energy to do this?' But those who knew...

** ACCEPTANCE VIDEO AT LINK ** Bulletin from 630 WMAL: 630 WMAL has won the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Radio Award as Major Market Station of the Year! This is the big one, across all formats, announced Thursday night at the NAB Convention in Austin. We were the only AM station nominated. The other nominees were KBWF-FM San Francisco; KIIS-FM Los Angeles; KOIT-FM San Francisco and WBLS-FM New York. The Grandy and Andy Morning Show did not win in the Major Market Personality of the Year category, for which they were also nominated last year, but they certainly are...

THE AUSTIN HILL RADIO SHOW -- ON NOW -- 630 WMAL, WASHINGTON, DC DISCUSSING THE 12,000 FLAGS LEFT AT INVESCO FIELD BY THE DEMS AFTER OBAMA'S 'CORONATION' LISTEN LIVE: http://www.630wmal.com/Article.asp?id=453473 http://radiotime.com/station/s_30888/WMAL_630.aspx

US and Poland sign missile deal in Warsaw Nico Hines Condoleezza Rice today signed an historic and highly controversial deal to build a US missile base in Poland. The US Secretary of State signed the agreement to a build a missile defence shield in the former Soviet satellite state in exchange for greater American military support for Poland. “The negotiations were very tough but friendly,” Donald Tusk, the Polish Prime Minister, told Dr Rice at the signature ceremony. “We have achieved our main goals, which means that our country and the United States will be more secure,” he said. Moscow...

Radio Row to Showcase the Largest Gathering Ever of Radio Hosts Broadcasting Together Live as a Unified Voice Demanding Immigration Enforcement, Secure Borders and No Amnesty. Federation for American Immigration Reform Congressional Task Force (FAIRCTF) announces September 10th and 11th as the dates for its annual Hold Their Feet to the Fire in Washington, D.C. Currently 20 radio hosts are confirmed to broadcast live from Radio Row with upwards of 50 to 75 others expected, thus doubling the size of the broadcast over previous years. In spring of 2007, 37 radio talk hosts attended Hold Their Feet to the Fire...

Russia alarmed by US-Poland defense missile deal, calls Poland "a target" (RTTNews) - The signing of an agreement that allows the United States to build a missile defense shield in Poland amid the backdrop of the invasion of Georgia drew severe criticism from Russia on Friday, who said that the deal is aimed at it. In the strongest threat Russia has issued against a plan to establish missile defense elements along the borders of former Soviet ally nations, Russia's deputy chief of general staff, Colonel-General Anatoly Nogovitsyn, warned that Poland has become a "target for attack" and that "such targets...

WARSAW (AFP) — Poland said Wednesday it was hoping to seal a deal with Washington on hosting a controversial US missile shield, after the start of a new round of their long-running talks. "Our positions have got closer," said Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski after a meeting in Warsaw with US arms control negotiator John Rood. "Tomorrow we're going to negotiate all day. I can't predict the result, but it's clear that we're closer to the demands of Prime Minister Donald Tusk than we were a month ago," he added. Earlier, Sikorski struck an equally optimistic note. "We are perhaps going...

<p>The difference between going through a Sunday as a married woman versus as a single gal is striking. First of all, in my single hood days in D.C., I’d be arriving back at my condo in the wee hours of the morning and would sleep and nurse a hangover for the rest of the day. As a married woman and mom in suburban Maryland, my Sundays are quiet and mainly consist of doing things with my family or around the house. However, during football season my husband and son normally get involved with sports and “NFL Sunday” for the whole day, giving me precious time to myself. During this “precious time”, I read the newspapers, watch news programs on T.V. and other media, and listen to talk radio for the entire afternoon and evening. Until recently.</p>

WASHINGTON -- A 13-year-old boy was killed, seven people shot and a person stabbed within minutes of each other in a spate of violence in the Trinidad section of NE shortly after midnight Saturday. Police said between midnight and four in the morning a person was also stabbed and another shot citywide. DC Police Inspector Rodney Parks says the shootings appear to have taken place in connection with three attempted robberies. Police are looking for a gold or metallic colored car, possibly a Dodge Intrepid, spotted at each crime scene. The police have no suspects in custody at this time....

U.S. missile defense sensor test called successful 07/18/08 19:07:54 A missile launched from Alaska was successfully tracked Friday by land-, sea- and space-based sensors in a test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the Boeing Co. said. The test demonstrated the most complex integration to date of radars required to support a missile intercept, Boeing said in a statement. The test used a Navy destroyer-based Aegis Long Range Surveillance and Track system in the Pacific; the AN/TPY-2 radar in Juneau, Alaska; the Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., and the...

Go to minute 2:40 through 4:59 on the link above. She also said that thugs "will have a jump on you". D.C. delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton's comments are absurd and idiotic. Actually, "idiotic" is putting it mildly. This is an interview she did last evening with 630 WMAL, Washington, D.C.