Free Republic

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Tri-sexual, Undecided, Asexual and Multi-sexual Community has been clamoring lately for their "right" to marriage. Envisioning themselves as wounded civil rights activists, fighting the bitter fight against bigots, church-bombers, and fire hoses to a new springtime of equality in the eyes of the law, they have launched an all-out attack on any person or group who infringes their imagined Constitutional right to marriage. The attempt made by many in the gay and lesbian community to form a link between today's queer activism and the battle for civil rights of the Sixties has angered many,...

<p>A decision by federal Judge Audrey B. Collins in Los Angeles to strike down a portion of the sweeping anti-terrorism law passed in haste after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, looks like a heartening sign that the judiciary system might be ready to get back in the game of protecting the liberties of American citizens. Even better would be a decision by Congress to let those portions of the Patriot Act scheduled to expire this year to expire.</p>

Rural areas questioning incentives Thursday, December 11, 2003 5:58AM EST By AMY GARDNER AND CHRIS SERRES, Staff Writers Robert Neal, a laid-off textile worker from Cabarrus County, traveled to Raleigh this week looking for good news for his community and others that have lost thousands of manufacturing jobs. He came away disappointed. In a special session called by Gov. Mike Easley, lawmakers passed a $240 million package that provides tax breaks for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., other cigarette makers and pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. Most of the immediate benefits will go to companies doing business in two of the...