Free Republic

WASHINGTON – Fractious House Democrats feuded Tuesday over their leader's refusal to step aside after massive election losses, and some signaled they will compromise with Republicans over the next two years. In contrast, Republicans who won control of the House and strengthened their power in the Senate further closed ranks. GOP discipline was on stark display as Senate Republicans unanimously voted to ban earmarks — lawmakers' pet projects for their states and districts — in spending bills, heeding the message tea partiers delivered Nov. 2 about their frustration with government and deficit spending. The vote occurred a day after Republican...

MEXICO CITY (AFP) – Officials tried to quell growing panic over swine flu on Thursday as governments braced for a global pandemic and US Vice President Joe Biden recommended a boycott of planes and subways. A day after upping its pandemic alert level, the World Health Organisation said there was no evidence to suggest it should be raised to the maximum of six, but warned of fresh outbreaks during the southern hemisphere's winter. European ministers meanwhile rejected an EU-wide ban on travel to Mexico, the epicentre of the outbreak where citizens have been told to stay at home for five...

MERIDA, Mexico - President Bush sought to soothe strained ties with Mexico on Tuesday by promising to prod Congress to overhaul tough U.S. immigration policies. But Mexican President Felipe Calderon criticized U.S. plans for a 700-mile border fence and said Bush must do more to curb American drug appetites. Mexico was the last stop on Bush's five-nation Latin American tour, and the one where the political stakes seemed the highest. Bush walked a high wire: He wants to improve frayed ties over immigration and drug trafficking and the Iraq war, but without alienating supporters back home, particularly Republican lawmakers advocating...

The Voices of Medhold, a singing group from the Medical Hold Company at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., entertain the audience while judges tally the results of the Army’s 2006 Margaret “Skippy” Lynn Stars of Tomorrow Talent Contest Jan. 21 at Fort Belvoir, Va. From left to right: Sgt. Jonathan Oliver, Sgt. Carl Oliver, Staff Sgt. Michael Green, Staff Sgt. Alan Drew, Sgt. Michael Walcott, Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Lampkins and Sgt. 1st Class Brenda Goodson. • Printer-friendly version • E-mail this article • Voices of Medhold seeks to soothe injured SoldiersBy Tim Hipps January 26,...