Free Republic

Dame Vera Lynn, the Forces' Sweetheart whose songs helped raise morale in World War Two, has died aged 103. The singer's family confirmed she died on Thursday morning surrounded by her close relatives. "The family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain's best-loved entertainers at the age of 103," a statement said. Dame Vera was best known for performing for the troops during WW2 in countries including India and Egypt. Her family said information on a memorial will be announced at a later date.

At 92, Dame Vera Lynn is still merrily doing her bit for Britain – and pulling off a mean impression of Marlene Dietrich. To mark the publication of her latest memoir, she talks (and sings) to Nigel Farndale The woman who answers the door has a face at once strange and familiar. She looks like Dame Vera Lynn, only how she would have looked about 30 years ago. It is more a trick of the genes than the light. 'I'm Vera's daughter,' she says in a voice similar to her mother's, with its faint traces of the East End....

Here is the situation: World leaders are lining up, either on the side of the Islamic terrorists (Chirac and Putin) or the side of their victims (the United States and -- somewhat -- Great Britain). The Vatican, which has an unsavory record in regard to the periodic slaughters of the Jews has thrown its moral weight (such as it is these days) onto the scales against the Jews. As the Hizbollah terrorists fire hundreds of rockets into Israeli cities from Lebanon and the Pope condemns Israel's attempts to destroy the rockets aimed at its citizens, Israel's chief of staff is...