Free Republic

In Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novella about the duality of human nature, a minor character describes Mr. Hyde thus: "There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something down-right detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked." It is difficult to avoid similar feelings of revulsion watching the C-SPAN video of Dr. Donald Berwick's alter ego testifying at the February 10 hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee. His disingenuous opening remarks, evasive answers, and transparent contempt for congressional oversight revealed Obama's recess-appointed administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) as a grotesque changeling. Gone...

Nine years into the war in Afghanistan, a handful of U.S. soldiers have a new weapon in hand, a lethal combination of technology and explosives that the Army has called a "game changer." Looking like it came straight out of a sci-fi movie, the XM-25 fires highly specialized rounds that can be programmed to explode at the precise location where the enemy is hiding behind cover. (Snip) Though the XM-25 has tested well in the United States, military brass will be watching the weapon's performance in real-life combat to assess not only how well it performs, but also what weapons

When you're grilling, nothing's more handy than a digital thermometer...except maybe these: Tongs that incorporate a very fine temperature probe so you don't need to fiddle with multiple tools. Test 7 meat types (beef, veal, lamb, pork, poultry, turkey, and ground beef) to see if they meet the USDA regulations for char. Then, assuming you bought your meat from a decent butcher, disregard the hogwash and eat your burger so rare that you can feel the cow's heartbeat with every bite.

Cincinnati Tea Party meets downtown Cincinnati, to hold candlelight vigil and send a massage to U.S.Rep.Steve Driehaus-DWest Price Hill,to vote no on the Obama Insurance Bill. My final headcount was nearly 400, counting teenagers and children too.

Travellers to Europe face being treated like drug smugglers as security chiefs are expected to recommend new intrusive security measures. French anti-terror chiefs are expected to propose the new measures, such as full body X-rays or handing in all electronic devices, after a terrorist tried to kill a Saudi prince with a bomb he had inserted into his body. Al Qaeda's latest ploy was first pioneered by Abdullah Hassan al Asiri, who blew himself apart in Jeddah in late August in an attack on Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the Saudi anti-terrorism chief. The 23-year-old terrorist blew himself into 70 pieces...

What are you doing for the next couple of days to drown out the noise of Obamamania? Comments and suggestions are encouraged.

WaPo. Mr. McCain's selection of an inexperienced and relatively unknown figure was unsettling, and the campaign's decision to keep her sequestered from serious interchanges with reporters and voters serves only to deepen the unease. Sequestered? She gave her first interview to a partisan MSM anchor, who tried to trip her up (unlike the softballs lobbed to Obama). She gave an interview to a friendly conservative commentator. She gave one to a celebrity rag and some more to her home-state press. Doesn't that cover everything? And there were no serious exchanges? Ask Charlie Gibson if he agrees with that. That "unease"...

Two days ago, the morons over at MSNBC had their panties in a twist saying that the Mavericuda campaign was hiding Sarah Palin in Alaska to avoid the media. Funny, they could have called Charles Gibson over at ABC who was offered an interview several days ago. Yeah, why would ABC confirm the offer a couple of days ago? Let’s let Fleeing Scaredycat Dipshit governor story just hang out there.

Washington, DC -- A leading psychology professor and a liberal pro-life group are concerned that the American Psychological Association will hide the risks of abortion when it released a new report in August. Last year, the psychological group began a new review of abortion and emotional issues. If the APA conducts an exhaustive and honest review of the data, it will find a New Zealand study showing 40 percent of women who have abortions experienced significant depression -- a higher rate than women who carry their pregnancy to term. Other studies have shown women who have abortions have higher levels...

Muslim Barack Obama fans told to hide from television cameras By Tim Shipman in Washington Last Updated: 12:23AM BST 19/06/2008 Barack Obama's campaign has been forced to apologise to two Muslim women barred from sitting behind him at a public event. About one in eight Americans falsely believes Mr Obama is Muslim The two women in headscarves were asked not to sit in view of cameras at a rally in Detroit on Monday, where Al Gore endorsed Mr Obama. Hebba Aref, a 25-year-old lawyer, told Politico magazine: "I was coming to support him, and I felt like I was discriminated...

AL ASAD — In 2007, the Marine Corps began launching a unique mission, merging the air and ground combat elements. These Aero Scout missions deploy troops to immediately search and assess any sighted suspicious activities across the Multi National Force - West area of operations. “We’re keeping our eyes on vast areas and maintaining an awareness of what’s out there,” said Capt. William Boulware, a pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361. “We’re multiplying the capabilities of the ground combat element by stretching their legs to places they normally don’t patrol.” These missions also provide a presence of security to...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2008 – The tables have turned for al Qaeda in northern Iraq, as a surge of operations there in the new year has put terrorists on the run looking for new places to hide, a commander in the region said today. The shaded area of this map shows the Multinational Division North area of responsibility in Iraq. American Forces Press Service map courtesy of Fred W. Baker III.   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of Multinational Division North, briefed Pentagon reporters today from Iraq. Operation Iron Harvest, part of...

Smile -- And The World Can Hear You, Even If You HideThe Duchenne smile. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of Portsmouth) ScienceDaily (Jan. 16, 2008) — Smiling affects how we speak, to the point that listeners can identify the type of smile based on sound alone, according to a study by scientists at the University of Portsmouth. The research, which also suggested that some people have "smilier" voices than others, adds to the growing body of evidence that smiling and other expressions pack a strong informational punch and may even impact us on a subliminal level. "When we listen to...

Memo reportedly shows location of WMD Text from Saddam regime describes burial to hide from inspectors Posted: June 10, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2006 WorldNetDaily.com A captured document from the Saddam regime but left untranslated by the Pentagon describes the hiding of chemical-weapons materials and the location of their burial in Iraq. Joseph Shahda, who has translated a number of key texts from among the thousands made available on the Internet by the Defense Department, posted his work on the conservative forum FreeRepublic.com. The memo, dated Sept. 15, 2002, is from the General Relations group of one of Saddam's...

LOS ANGELES – The killers cross the U.S.-Mexico border, assume new identities, get jobs, blend in among Spanish speakers and sometimes enjoy freedom for years. But these fugitives from the law aren't border-jumpers heading south. As the recent arrest of one of Mexico's most notorious fugitives at a modest home outside Los Angeles showed, some criminals escape justice by heading north. In the last 10 months, federal immigration officials have helped locate 13 Mexican murder suspects, along with hundreds of other criminals, hiding in plain sight in the Los Angeles area. Alfredo Ríos Galeana, wanted for bank robberies, kidnappings, murders...

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WASHINGTON - Not just Riggs Bank, but eight others — including Citigroup and Bank of America — helped former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet (news - web sites) and members of his family build a secret network of accounts to conceal his wealth, Senate investigators have found. In a report released Tuesday, the investigators charged that Riggs's dealings with Pinochet were far more extensive and long-standing than had been known. The nine banks allowed Pinochet to use phony account names, offshore companies and other deceptions to hide an estimated $13 million or more from U.S. examiners and from international prosecutors seeking...

SAN DIEGO (AP) - The new city attorney has issued a scathing report accusing the mayor and City Council of violating federal securities laws by hiding key information about the city's troubled finances. Mayor Dick Murphy disputed the findings and said City Attorney Michael Aguirre had no jurisdiction to investigate the alleged violations. "Mr. Aguirre's allegations are untrue, irresponsible and defamatory," Murphy said. "Mr. Aguirre is not the SEC. This is only Mr. Aguirre's opinion." The Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors offices are investigating whether city officials concealed important information about San Diego's finances while selling more than...

Hey Gang..I have been having SOME fun with these clueless morons over here. Been trollin' and brain beatin' 'em to death. It's about 6 on 1 right now. Really funny, they'll all post at once, then nothing for about 45 minutes, then all post at once again. :) :O) P

The senator who snubbed Prime Minister Allawi is now in vacating the premises. Elvis has left the building.