Free Republic

The Philistines left behind plenty of pottery. But part of the mystery surrounding the ancient people was that very little biological trace of them had been found -- until 2013. That's when archaeologists excavating the site of the biblical city of Ashkelon found what they say is the first Philistine cemetery ever discovered. They say they have uncovered the remains of more than 200 people there. The discovery was finally unveiled Sunday at the close of a 30-year excavation by the Leon Levy Expedition, a team of archaeologists from Harvard University, Boston College, Wheaton College in Illinois and Troy University...

PITTSBURGH (AP) Former Vice President Al Gore on Sunday told graduates of Carnegie Mellon University they could become part of the next ''hero generation'' in American history by solving environmental problems. In a commencement address before a record crowd of about 10,000 people, the Nobel laureate said there had already been two ''special generations'' of Americans: one that founded the country and another that defeated fascism during World War II. ''You, I hope and expect, will be called upon to be part of the third hero generation in American history,'' now that the U.S. is poised to reclaim its rightful...

For the first time since 1972, the United States is planning to fly to the moon, but instead of a quick, Apollo-like visit, astronauts intend to build a permanent base and live there while they prepare what may be the most ambitious undertaking in history -- putting human beings on Mars. President Bush in 2004 announced to great fanfare plans to build a new spaceship, get back to the moon by 2020 and travel on to Mars after that. But, with NASA focused on designing a new spaceship and spending about 40 percent of its budget on the troubled space...

MoveOn.org and The American Constitution Society are hosting an afternoon event at which AlGore will be the featured speaker. The subject of Gore's speech will be: Freedom and SecurityYessirree, folks. Al Gore, Vice President during the eight year Clinton Administration, will be telling anyone who will listen, how badly the administration of G.W. Bush is infringing on Americans' freedoms, and how much more vulnerable to terrorism we are now, under Bush's leadership. The DC Chapter invites all FReepers and lurkers in good standing to join us as we correct the record for passers-by and attendees.When: Sunday, November 9Where: On the...