Free Republic

After talking with some left-wing friends this weekend, I realized now more than ever that the question of whether to vote for Bush or Kerry truly boils down to another question, “A war for our lives, or a nuisance to our lifestyle?” The later question was asked on Friday by eminent historian Victor David Hanson. He answers it with honesty and erudition, but leaves out a very important point: the fear factor. Hanson correctly identifies Kerry et al’s penchant for wanting to solve our foreign policy disputes through diplomatic bureaucracy ad nauseum -- e.g., the United Nations. He hints at...

After a yearlong effort to banish Ruby -- the meek elephant who's become quarrelsome -- to the American hinterland, Mayor James Hahn did an about-face Monday and ordered the city's 9,000-pound pachyderm returned to Los Angeles. Under pressure from animal activists and a lawsuit that warned that her health was in jeopardy -- Hahn directed that the 42-year-old African elephant be returned after 14 months at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee, where she had become something of an outcast. "Though the move of Ruby to the Knoxville Zoo was well-intentioned," Hahn said in a statement, "it is clear that she...

Cyber technology brings Hindu message to HoustonBy RICHARD VARACopyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Religion Editor An interactive marriage of modern communications and ancient spirituality cost more than $400,000 and five years for the Hindu faithful of Chinmaya Mission Houston. The Journey to the Truth, a multi-media CD-ROM set, contains not only the Bhagavad Gita, one of Hinduism's most sacred writings, but presents the Scriptures in user-friendly formats suited for children, adults and even for those who can manage only a few minutes a day. It also includes a Sanskrit glossary with English definitions, meditation instructions, cyber notebooks for spiritual journaling and...