http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/news-forum/ en-us Tue, 13 May 2008 15:57:15 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015294/posts WASHINGTON - The Senate has rejected a Republican energy plan that calls for opening an Alaska wildlife refuge and some offshore waters to oil development. Supporters of the measure couldn't get the needed 60 votes to overcome a Democratic-led filibuster threat. Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said more domestic oil production is needed to keep prices in check and to reduce U.S. dependence on oil imports. Opponents said areas such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and coastal waters that have been off limits to drilling for 25 years ought to remain that out of bounds to oil companies.... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015294/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:57:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015293/posts Paulo Coelho, author of books such as “The Alchemist” and “The Witch of Portobello”, sold over 100 million books last year. In part, he puts this success down to BitTorrent, as he saw a huge increase in sales when his books appeared on sites such as The Pirate Bay. We talked to Coelho to find out more about this remarkable story. “Since the dawn of time, human beings have felt the need to share - from food to art. Sharing is part of the human condition. A person who does not share is not only selfish, but bitter and alone,”... Best-Selling Author Turns Piracy into Profit http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015293/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:56:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015292/posts A New York City man is suing JetBlue Airways Corp. for more than $2 million because he says a pilot made him give up his seat to a flight attendant and sit on the toilet for more than three hours on a flight from California. Gokhan Mutlu, of Manhattan's Inwood section, says in court papers the pilot told him to "go 'hang out' in the bathroom" about 90 minutes into the San Diego to New York flight because the flight attendant complained that the "jump seat" she was assigned was uncomfortable, the lawsuit said. Mutlu was traveling on a a... Townhall News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015292/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:53:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015291/posts WASHINGTON -- Centuries before Iraq and Afghanistan, George Washington created the Purple Heart to honor troops wounded in combat. But with an increasing number of troops being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the modern military is debating an idea Gen. Washington never considered -- awarding one of the nation's top military citations to veterans with psychological wounds, not just physical ones. Defense Secretary Robert Gates offered cautious support... WSJ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015291/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:53:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015290/posts Charges dropped against alleged 20th hijacker: Pentagon WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Pentagon has dropped charges against Mohammed al-Qahtani, the alleged "20th hijacker" in the September 11 attacks on the United States, a Pentagon spokesman said Tuesday. Susan Crawford, the convening authority for war crimes trials by special military commissions, gave no explanation in dropping the charges against al-Qahtani "without prejudice," said Commander Jeffrey Gordon. "They have been dismissed without prejudice, which means they can be reinstituted at any time," he said of the charges. AFP via Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015290/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:51:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015289/posts Democrats' Budget Agreement Assumes Bush Tax Cuts Will Expire By Andrew Taylor, Associated Press CNSNews.com May 13, 2008 Washington (AP) - Democrats controlling Congress are leaving grim decisions on automatic tax increases to the next president and the newly elected Congress under a freshly negotiated House-Senate blueprint for the upcoming budget year. The fiscal 2009 budget plan worked out in private talks between House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt Jr., D-S.C., and his Senate counterpart, Kent Conrad, D-N.D., awards an approximately 4 percent increase on average to nondefense Cabinet budgets passed by Congress each year. But it makes no effort... CNS News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015289/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:50:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015288/posts Well, I’ll be doggoned. I never thought I’d see such outspoken opposition to ethanol from such unlikely sources – such as many of the politicians who helped create this monstrous and expensive fraud in the first place. Last Friday, a group of Republican senators, including presidential candidate John McCain, urged the Environmental Protection Agency to hold off enforcing legislation to increase ethanol production. There goes the Farm Belt vote! Even the August New York Times – which has never failed to support a government solution to every real or perceived problem on the planet – now says “it is time... Straight Talk Newsletter http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015288/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:47:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015287/posts Responsible for the first consumer application of an electronic paper display module when it teamed up with Sony to release the LIBRI e-Book reader in 2004, E Ink has now announced availability of its next generation segmented display cells (SDC). The new SDCs are 40% thinner with a wider operational temperature range and increased flexibility for repetitive 3-D bends or 2-D conformable solutions. The SDC products are simple digit, icon and alpha-numeric displays, offering excellent readability in a paper-thin form factor that uses minimal battery power. The latest generation of E Ink SDCs offer three height levels, depending on backplane... Gizmag.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015287/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:45:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015286/posts Robert Rauschenberg, whose use of odd and everyday articles earned him a reputation as a pioneer in pop art but whose talents spanned the worlds of painting, sculpture and dance, has died, his gallery representative said Tuesday. He was 82. Rauschenberg died Monday, said Jennifer Joy, his representative at Pace Wildensteins. Rauschenberg, who first gained fame in the 1950s, didn't mine popular culture wholesale as Andy Warhol did with Campbell's soup cans and Roy Lichtenstein did with comic books. Instead, his "combines," incongruous combinations of three-dimensional objects and paint, shared pop's blurring of art and objects from modern life. He... Yahoo - AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015286/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:44:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015285/posts Five young men from the affluent beachfront town of La Jolla, Calif., could be facing life in prison for the murder of pro surfer Emery Kauanui Jr., if a judge decides they acted as a gang. Prosecutors say the men, calling themselves the Bird Rock Bandits, have been terrorizing members of the community for years. Their defense lawyers argued last week in a preliminary hearing that Kauanui's death was an accident after a one-on-one confrontation. That distinction will determine if the men will face much stiffer penalties under California's anti-gang laws or face lesser charges such as involuntary manslaughter. Seth... abc news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015285/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:42:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015280/posts California has always been looked upon across this country and around the globe as the state that leads – in its diversity of communities, its beautiful coastline, its commitment to protecting the environment from the ravages of climate change, its world-renowned public universities and the innovation by its best and brightest minds. However, California's luster has tarnished, today boasting the highest gas prices in the nation, consumers paying top-dollar for groceries and being among the top five states in home foreclosures last year. As if this weren't enough, Californians are about to be sucker-punched again from the effects of an... Sacramento Bee http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015280/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:39:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015279/posts Relentless wildfires burned Tuesday morning across Florida's Atlantic coast, taxing firefighters and overwhelming residents trying to save their homes with garden hoses. Firefighters in Brevard County were working for a third day trying to stop flames that have destroyed four homes and damaged about 70. The state's largest blaze has charred about 3,800 acres, or nearly 6 square miles, in the neighboring towns of Palm Bay and Malabar. "Every time I turn around another house is on fire. We don't have enough resources on our own to do a job like this," said Palm Bay spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez. Officials expressed... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015279/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:34:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015277/posts DEMING, N.M. (AP) - Governor Richardson says he's concerned about violence along New Mexico's border with Mexico. Authorities say seven men have been killed in the Mexican border town of Palomas in a turf war among drug cartels. The Luna County Sheriff's Department says 162 gun shells were found where five men were killed Sunday in Palomas, across the border from Columbus, New Mexico. Another 67 casings were found where a man and his son were fatally shot Friday. A spokesman for Richardson says the governor has directed New Mexico public safety officials to be vigilant to ensure the problems... KDBC 4 News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015277/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:31:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015276/posts Rights group got it wrong: Gaza cancer patient who 'died while waiting for permit' still alive Meital Yasur-Beit Or Published: 05.13.08, 17:42 / Israel News Stayin' alive: Muhammad al-Harrani, a father of six from Gaza diagnosed with cancer who reportedly died while waiting for a permit to enter Israel, miraculously "came back to life." This was not the result of a miracle, but rather, just part of the tactics used by al-Harrani's family in a bid to secure a permit for him. Al-Harrani is currently awaiting an entry permit into Israel, so that he can undergo head surgery at Tel... YNet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015276/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:30:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015275/posts May 13, 2008, 0:30 a.m. McCainÂ’s Assault on ReasonAnother Al Gore for president. By Roy Spencer John McCain’s global-warming speech on Monday made it clear that there will be no presidential candidate this year willing to question the assertion that global warming (a.k.a. “climate change”) is manmade, or the assertion that we can fix global warming by passing a few laws. Along with Clinton and Obama, McCain’s proposal to attack global warming now gives voters three choices for a car color — as long as it is black. Like Clinton and Obama, McCain’s proposal involves a “cap and trade”... National Review Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015275/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:28:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015273/posts This is the story of educational romanticism in elementary and secondary schools —its rise, its etiology, and, we have reason to hope, its approaching demise. Educational romanticism consists of the belief that just about all children who are not doing well in school have the potential to do much better. Correlatively, educational romantics believe that the academic achievement of children is determined mainly by the opportunities they receive; that innate intellectual limits (if they exist at all) play a minor role; and that the current K-12 schools have huge room for improvement. Educational romanticism characterizes reformers of both Left and... The New Criterion http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015273/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:26:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015272/posts Five major blasts rocked the pink city of 'Jaipur' on Tuesday (May 13) at 7.35 pm. The serial blasts occured in Tripolia, Manek Chowk and Chandpol Gate, while the fourth blast occured at Lakshmi Mishthan Bhandar in old Jaipur. Though the cause of the blast is still unknown, it's learnt that five blasts occured within a span of half an hour in the walled city of Jaipur. According to initial reports, around 6 people have been killed, while 50 have been injured. According to initial reports, around 6 people have been killed and 50 have been injured. The injureds were... News Post India http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015272/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:24:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015270/posts A newly elected mayor near Dallas says his top priority will be ridding his suburb of illegal immigrants, the same focus that has drawn national attention in a neighboring city. But Ron Branson said Carrollton will not simply copy the blueprint of Farmers Branch, where an ordinance barring apartment rentals to most illegal immigrants has been put on hold by a federal judge. "I do not want to rubber-stamp what they did," Branson said in Monday's editions of The Dallas Morning News. "We want to make sure we're not profiling, we're following the law, and take advantage of ordinance opportunities."... The Brownsville Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015270/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:20:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015269/posts AND NOW . . . amidst billowing clouds of fragrant, aromatic first- and second-hand premium cigar smoke. . . it is time for . . . that harmless, lovable little fuzz ball, the highly-trained broadcast specialist, having more fun than a human being should be allowed to have, from behind the golden EIB microphone, firmly ensconced in the prestigious Attila-the-Hun chair at the Limbaugh Institute of Advanced Conservative Studies, with talent on loan from G-d, at the cutting-edge of societal evolution, with half his brain tied behind his back — just to make it fair, the all-knowing, all-caring, all-sensing, all-feeling,... The EIB Network http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015269/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:19:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015268/posts SAN ANGELO, TX -- Although Texas officials have taken some criticism for removing hundreds of children from a religious compound, the Baptist agency caring for them has earned praise from the most important people: the children themselves. Baptist Child and Family Services, an agency affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, was charged with caring for hundreds of children removed from the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints compound near Eldorado, Texas, in April. They coordinated the children’s care in nearby San Angelo for three weeks, after which 75 moved to the BCFS Youth Ranch near Luling. "You’re nice," a 6-year-old girl... Church Executive http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015268/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:13:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015267/posts It's the economy, stupid. Political strategist James Carville made that statement the focal point of Bill Clinton's successful run for the U.S. Presidency in 1992, but those words could also be directed at Hockey Night in Canada's guru of misinformation, Donald S. Cherry. In rants on HNIC and ESPN, Cherry talked about the empty seats at Joe Louis Arena for Game 1 of the Dallas Stars-Detroit Red Wings series and blamed the decline in attendance on the Red Wings' style of play. "The people hate the way the game is being played," Cherry said. "It's a redneck town, they love... The (Montreal) Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015267/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015266/posts Under current law, the power to govern public employees and unions is left to the states, including rules for collective bargaining, Right to Work protections, etc. In 23 states, workers have the right to work even if they do not wish to join a union, which is, of course, as it should be. That could all change, however, if the so-called, “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007,” is enacted into law. The bill – which does anything but promote “employer-employee cooperation,” and actually would endanger “public safety” – has already passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming 314-97... The Daily Grind http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015266/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015265/posts As man is stabbed to death on Oxford St, knife-carrying thugs will escape with a fine Last updated at 15:04pm on 13th May 2008Thugs found carrying knives should not be jailed under new proposals announced on the day a man died after his throat was slit on London's Oxford Street. Britain's most senior judge, Lord Chief Justice Phillips, says people found with knives for the first time should escape with a community order. The sentence could even be lowered to a fine if there were mitigating circumstances, according to his advice which has been issued to magistrates' courts by the... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015265/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:07:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015264/posts GOP consultant Stephen Marks, on going negative against Obama: "Here's the problem, I've been doing negative politics all my life. ... But this is the first candidate that I've seen that nothing negative is sticking. And I'll tell you why. ... His white supporters, as you know, they're young people, and they are middle-class and upper-middle class wealthier white folks, and nothing appeals to them. They're getting something from Barack Obama that they've never gotten from any other candidate before. They're getting moral superiority, they're getting self-esteem. ... I'm serious." Real Clear Politics http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015264/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:07:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015263/posts Many cyclone victims are getting spoiled food from Myanmar's junta instead of the high-quality supplies being delivered by foreign governments and charities, victims and aid workers said Tuesday. A longtime foreign resident of Myanmar's biggest city, Yangon, told The Associated Press in Bangkok by telephone that angry government officials have complained to him about the military misappropriating aid. He said the officials told him that quantities of the high-energy biscuits rushed in on the World Food Program's first flights were sent to a military warehouse. They were exchanged by what the officials said were "tasteless and low-quality" biscuits produced by... AP (via Yahoo) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2015263/posts#comment Tue, 13 May 2008 15:07:04 GMT