Free Republic

Self-proclaimed alternative energy proponent Sen. Ted Kennedy has strongly opposed an environmentally friendly "wind farm” off the coast of Massachusetts – and now it appears Kennedy will have his way. A proposal before Congress would limit the construction of wind turbines and most likely doom plans for the Cape Wind Project, the nation’s first offshore wind farm. [Editor’s Note: Read the book that first exposed Sen. Kennedy’s hypocrisy -- Go Here Now.] "This is a dire moment for us,” declared Mark Rodgers, a Cape Wind Associates spokesman, who said the proposal "would be totally fatal” for the project. The Cape...

Mercenaries guard homes of the rich in New Orleans Jamie Wilson in New Orleans Monday September 12, 2005 The Guardian Hundreds of mercenaries have descended on New Orleans to guard the property of the city's millionaires from looters. The heavily armed men, employed by private military companies including Blackwater and ISI, are part of the militarisation of a city which had a reputation for being one of the most relaxed and easy-going in America. After scenes of looting and lawlessness in the days immediately after Hurricane Katrina struck, New Orleans has turned into an armed camp, patrolled by thousands of...

TOPEKA — A federal judge today dismissed a lawsuit challenging a Kansas law that allows eligible undocumented aliens to receive in-state tuition at state colleges and universities. U.S. District Judge Richard Rogers wrote in his decision that 24 out-of-state students at Kansas universities did not have the right to challenge the law. The lawsuit was financed by the Washington-based Federation for American Immigration reform. At least seven states have similar statutes and the Kansas lawsuit was considered the first test case whose outcome could have a national impact. Kris Kobach, attorney for the plaintiffs, argued that the state law violated...

When I was linking to CBS News for my Stupefy Me report earlier today (directly below), I came across this gem of a story (FR THREAD ON THE CBS ARTICLE: Blogs: New Medium, Old Politics NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2004). It appears that CBS News not only is striking back at the blogs and bloggers that took out Dan Rather and embarrassed their entire organization, but they are also supporting censorship of us rascally citizens. Internet blogs are providing a new and unregulated medium for politically motivated attacks. With the same First Amendment protections as newspapers, blogs are increasingly gaining...

It must have been a gruesome sight: the elite of the Cannes film festival applauding someone even more self-regarding than themselves. Michael Moore, portly archpriest of the anti-Bush cult, premiered his film Fahrenheit 9/11 at the festival this week. The American documentary-maker sent three undercover film crews to Iraq; they returned with footage - included in the film - claiming to show US soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners. If such abuse occurred, then it should be condemned. But no one should rush to judgment on the basis of allegations emanating from Mr Moore. Many of the claims made in Bowling for...

<p>Authorities stopped state Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, for suspected drunken driving Wednesday night, but instead of arresting him, a Montgomery County sheriff's supervisor drove him home.</p> <p>The Sheriff's Department followed state law that prevents law enforcement officers from arresting or citing legislators for a crime -- except for felonies, treason or breach of peace -- during attendances of a legislative session or going to or from a session.</p>

Irate Senator Gets His Money Back Bank, Blasted as 'Stupid,' Replaces $4,000 Stolen From Wife By Tom Jackman Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, October 18, 2003; Page B01 The day after his wife was abducted and forced to withdraw cash from a McLean bank, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) called the branch manager and chastised her for the bank's "stupid" actions during the robbery and soon was refunded the $4,000 that was stolen, three Wachovia employees said. The branch manager, Parisa Davoudian, said Gregg hung up on her after demanding to speak to a higher-ranking Wachovia Bank official. Davoudian and two...

Have you heard about the latest California crusade? It's called Proposition 54, and it's based on the utopian ideal that race doesn't matter. The proposition stipulates that state and local officials can't collect or use information regarding someone's race, ethnicity, color or national origin for the purpose of public education, public contracting, public employment or other government operations. The mastermind behind Prop. 54 is a mild-mannered man by the name of Ward Connerly. He also happens to be African-American. But people are warned not to use that term in his presence. As Connerly sees it, race isn't real. Well, in...

'Gay' film a how-to of Hollywood By Lynn Elber, The Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Given television's gay boomlet, filmmaker Jeremy Simmons' concerns about his new documentary, "The AMC Project: Gay Hollywood," appear misplaced. "With a name like 'Gay Hollywood,' maybe not everyone will tune in," Simmons said. "Which is kind of unfortunate, because I think it appeals to much more than gay people." Other gay-themed shows certainly have. "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" has done so well for Bravo that parent NBC has aired the makeover show once, plans to air another episode Thursday - and has arranged...

For years, legend had it that there was a group of powerful men in Bakersfield secretly living gay lives, sometimes with deadly consequences. When the county's No. 2 prosecutor was stabbed to death in his home last year, the "Lords of Bakersfield" legend broke out into the open and the city's daily newspaper decided to confront it head-on.In a series of stories that ran in January, The Bakersfield Californian found evidence of a ring of closeted gay men who had sex with teenage boys and used their influence to keep from being prosecuted. Four of the men ended up slain...