Free Republic

For those bad-news-from-Iraq-only information consumers, stop reading here. There have been several recent developments out of Iraq that should give some comfort to those who believe that Arabs and Muslims are capable of embracing democracy. There have been military victories in Iraq, a debt relief agreement for the country has been hammered out, and Iraq’s independent electoral commission has set a firm date for elections. First Najaf was cleaned up, then Sadr City, then Fallujah, then Mosul… Yes, Iraq’s “insurgency” won’t go away overnight, but it is certainly getting harder and harder for the “militants” – they’re either dead or...

                         

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In the September 20 issue of Time Magazine, author David Van Biema/Jackson writes very flippantly about a “Muslims Only” event held at Six Flags in New Jersey. He seems irritated that anyone would raise objections to religious segregation at a public amusement park. Before objections were raised, just how did the event’s organizers, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), plan to enforce Muslim-only entrance to Six Flags? By the way people dressed? By their skin color? Would entrants to the park have been forced to recite verses of the Koran? Were Jews wearing yarmulkes and Christians wearing crucifixes to...

Moises Alou says he urinates on his hands to alleviate calluses. So does Jorge Posada. "In spring training only," Posada told the Newark Star-Ledger. "You don't want to shake my hand in spring training before the game. After the game, it's OK." Ummm, on second thought, maybe just a friendly nod will do then, too, Jorge. Is there anything more disgusting in sports than an athlete urinating on his own hands? Yes. And not all of them involve Schottzie or David Wells. 10. Reporters eating in the press room. Remember John Belushi going through the Faber College cafeteria in "Animal...

Last Update: 26/03/2004 08:08 Only existing First Temple relic may be forged By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondent Investigators for the Israel Antiquities Authority have been informed that a precious Ivory Pomegranate, on display at the Israel Museum since 1988, is a forgery. On the basis of an inscription it had been dated from the period of the First Temple, 10th century BCE. However, it is information on the origin of the inscription that has raised doubts about the authenticity of the item. The Antiquities Authority refused to reveal the origins and nature of the information it holds. The inscription, completed...

A REVIEW/REFUTATION OF Gail Riplinger’s New Age Bible Versions by James Richard May, M.A., M.B.A In this classic tome of biblical knowledge, exhaustive research, and careful reasoning, Gail Riplinger brings the full weight of her scholarship and technical expertise in home economics[1] to bear upon the daunting question of Bible texts and translation. Her ignorance of Greek and Hebrew is no deterrent to thorough investigation as she navigates the murky waters surrounding satanic influence in modern Bible versions. In her own words, Much digging in libraries and manuscripts [all apparently in English] from around the world has uncovered an alliance...

How a tiny drive-in restaurant in Arizona became the center of a bitter battle over English-only rules in the workplace. At first Richard Kidman couldn't figure out why, after 23 years of running R.D.'s Drive-In, everything seemed to be falling apart. It had never been easy to manage a business in Page, Ariz. (pop. 6,500), 130 miles from the nearest city and surrounded by Mars-red rocks and soaring cliffs. But lately Kidman's problems, especially employee turnover, were only getting worse. New hires were quitting after only a few days on the job. His restaurant has a staff of about 20,...

<p>DALLAS (AP) Stiff fees by American Airlines Inc. for passengers using paper tickets are designed to eliminate what has become a costly system in favor of electronic ticketing, officials say.</p> <p>The cash-strapped airline will charge $50 for a paper ticket starting immediately, up from $25. Officials say the higher fee is designed to ''increase the incentive'' to use e-tickets.</p>

(IsraelNN.com) A survey taken ahead of next week's observance of International Women's Day shows that in most Israeli homes, 60%, the woman is responsible for washing the dishes. According to the survey, in 14% of homes in Israel the husband does the dishes and in 20% of homes, they alternate. The children do dishes 4% of the time and in 2% of the time, a hired person is responsible for dishwashing. The survey was taken among 500 families that do not own a dishwasher. On a related note, 46% of Israeli homes have dishwashers the survey reports.

June 05, 2002 N.Y. Rep. Gilman Mulls Party Switch WASHINGTON- With his job on the chopping block, the senior Republican in New York's congressional delegation is considering a switch to the Democratic Party. A spokesman for Rep. Benjamin Gilman said Tuesday that State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, broached the idea with the GOP lawmaker during a private meeting in Albany, N.Y., about congressional redistricting. "He told the speaker it was a very interesting offer," Brian Walsh said of Gilman's reaction, declining to elaborate. Silver said he told Gilman on Monday that if the congressman runs as a...