Free Republic

Several airport security screeners have sent me polite letters criticizing some of my comments in my last two columns, prompting this question to you: In managing our personal security, should we guard against possible or probable threats? Consider the measures and the resource expenditures I might take to guard Mrs. Williams and me against all possible threats to our security. Even though I live in Pennsylvania, well outside of tornado alley, I'd construct a tornado shelter because it's possible for a tornado to strike anywhere. I'd no longer get into my car and drive off without doing a thorough check...

Florida GOP apologizes for warning Tallahassee, FL, Jul. 30 (UPI) -- The Florida GOP has apologized for sending out a flier contradicting the views of Republican Gov. Jeb Bush on the upcoming elections. The fliers were sent to Republican voters in southern and western Miami-Dade County advising them to use absentee ballots rather than trust the new touch-screen voting machines, The Miami Herald reported Friday. Bush and Secretary of State Glenda Hood have been reassuring voters for months that the new voting machines now used in the state's 15 larger counties are reliable.

French cinemas refuse to screen The Passion By Kim Willsher in Paris (Filed: 29/02/2004) French cinema chains are refusing to distribute or screen Mel Gibson's controversial film The Passion of the Christ because of fears that it will spark a new outbreak of anti-Semitism. France is the only European country where there is still no distribution deal for the film, which depicts the last days of Jesus Christ in graphic detail and is accused by critics of stoking anti-Jewish sentiment. The film was released in America last week but French distributors are wary of its impact on audiences and want...

CAIRO: The Arab League secretary-general on Saturday questioned the legality of a US proposal to fingerprint and photograph visitors to America, saying such measures were "discriminatory" against Arabs and Muslims. "The Arab League is ... currently conducting a legal and political study on those discriminatory American procedures," Amr Moussa told reporters without elaborating. He was apparently referring to the procedures as being discriminatory against Arabs and Muslims. The Justice Department plan, proposed Wednesday, seeks to expand an existing law's reach to better track tourists, business travelers, students and temporary workers considered possible security threats. Officials familiar with the proposal said...

PM in fake painting row 14 April 2002 By OSKAR ALLEY Prime Minister Helen Clark has admitted misleading an animal welfare group by submitting an artist's painting as her own work for a charity auction. Clark was asked to do a painting to raise funds for Save Animals from Exploitation (SAFE). Instead her office commissioned an artist to paint it. Clark signed the painting, creating the impression the work was her own. The painting sold at auction for $1000. Clark has admitted the deception to the Sunday Star-Times. She has agreed to write a personal cheque to reimburse the buyer...