Free Republic

Zero Hedge reports: While details are scarce, and we would urge confirmation from US-based sources, Yonhap also reports that according to the government source the operation of three aircraft carriers in the same location is unusual, and demonstrates the US commitment to North Korea. Other sources said the Trump administration is demonstrating deterrence by acting on its behalf. “We expect it to be completely different from the previous administration.” The U.S. and South Korea, according to a South Korean government official, are discussing joint drills that would ultimately include the three U.S. aircraft carriers and other vessels.

[snip] Under the ordinance, stores will be prohibited from offering customers plastic bags for carrying out purchases and will be required to charge a dime per paper bag. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the price of paper bags will go up to 25 cent each. [snip] "Most of the comments I've gotten to date are not only supportive, but they are really enthused about it," said Moura, adding that the only complaint he's heard involves the paper bag charge. County officials are hoping as many of the bans will go into effect as possible by April 22, which is Earth...

April 5, 1862 (Saturday) Yorktown, VA The previous day had been a good one for George Briton McClellan, commander of the Union Army of the Potomac. The Rebels to his front gave up ground quickly as he advanced two columns up the Virginia Peninsula. Though a division had been withheld from him a few days ago, he quickly recovered, taking less than two days to get his entire army of 66,700 on the road. As the dawn drove out the night, he must have felt a renewed optimism. He was certain that Confederate commander General John Magruder had left his...

Peninsula residents are upset about a proposal to charge commuters $6 each weekday to enter and exit San Francisco to the south, calling the plan "a slap in the face," "a crazy idea" and "ridiculous." Already dealing with some of the nation's highest gas prices and, in some cases, hefty parking fees, drivers crossing the San Mateo County-San Francisco border would pay rush hour tolls to fund local transportation upgrades and, in theory, reduce traffic jams, under a proposal by San Francisco officials. Officials said they would spend $60 million to $100 million to set up the electronic system, coupled...

In a blow to high-speed-rail critics lobbying for the train line from Los Angeles to end in San Jose, Caltrain officials said Tuesday that the idea would require the same Peninsula track expansion while harming local commuter service and stripping the agency of funding. For riders to take the bullet train from Southern California to San Jose and transfer to an express Caltrain to San Francisco — as some critics and planners have proposed — Caltrain would have to add tracks or eliminate commute service to accommodate them, said Bob Doty, Caltrain's joint high-speed-rail program director. As a result, whether...

Fresh from the most-watched vice-presidential debate in history, GOP vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin will appear at a Burlingame brunch fundraiser Sunday. Organizers said Friday they expect about 1,500 people, a capacity crowd, to hear Palin speak at the Hyatt Regency shortly before noon. Tickets are no longer available. ... "We're trying to find room for an extra 200 people,'' said Kristen Heuter, who is leading the fundraising effort. Heuter and local GOP party officials said the phones have been ringing off the hook since Thursday night's debate, which was seen by 69.9 million people, a record for a vice-presidential debate....

Belmont to be first U.S. city to ban all smoking By Dana Yates, Daily Journal Staff Belmont is set to make history by becoming the first city in the nation to ban smoking on its streets and almost everywhere else. The Belmont City Council voted unanimously last night to pursue a strict law that will prohibit smoking anywhere in the city except for single-family detached residences. Smoking on the street, in a park and even in one’s car will become illegal and police would have the option of handing out tickets if they catch someone. The actual language of the...

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2006 – A coalition military operation on Iraq's Jabouri Peninsula has yielded numerous mortar and artillery rounds, weapons and ammunition, bomb-making materials, and suspected insurgents, military officials reported today. Officials said "Operation Cowpens" was planned and conducted to engage insurgents, deny them resources, and degrade their ability to make and deploy roadside bombs and otherwise engage coalition forces on the peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the Tigris River. Elements of the Fort Carson, Colo.-based 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, along with 3rd Battalion, 1st...

Muhammad Al-Sheikh put things in proper perspective when he wrote a column in the Saudi daily Al-Jazirah entitled ‘Thank you America’ in which he reminded the Saudis of a history with the United States that spans six decades. It was the late King Abdul Aziz (founder of modern Saudi Arabia) who chose to allow Americans to come to the Saudi Kingdom in search of oil. Aziz was also responsible for choosing capitalism over communism after WWII, allowing a country with nothing to grow enormously wealthy and powerful. Muhammad Al-Sheikh writes, “We must admit that our relations with America were the...

<p>Some officials say the long overdue big earthquake in California is due any time.(1)(2) Sure, it’s all guesstimation -- Nobody knows for sure what is exactly going on beneath our feet -- and our houses and trees. But as knowledge from modern research is assembled, better forecasts can be given. This discussion is primarily for the San Francisco Bay Area.</p>

Bush, Roh Urge Nuke-Free Korean Peninsula By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) and South Korea (news - web sites)'s leader said they were united in seeking a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons, and expressed confidence that the standoff with North Korea (news - web sites) could be resolved peacefully. AP Photo (AP Video) Meeting for the first time Wednesday, Bush and President Roh Moo-hyun also reaffirmed the strength of a military and economic alliance that dates to the 1950-53 Korean War, and agreed to consult closely on a possible realignment...

<p>PANMUNJOM, Korea - If diplomacy fails, this is where another Korean war would begin.</p> <p>Stretched across the waist of the Korean Peninsula, the demilitarized zone is a 151-mile-long belt bristling with barbed wire, mine fields, tank barriers and artillery bunkers that has divided North from South since the 1950-53 Korean War. It is one of the most fortified frontiers on earth.</p>

MAY 19 - PALO ALTO HOLD THE DATE! SILICON VALLEY/ THE PENINSULA STANDS WITH ISRAEL Yes to Peace! No to Terrorism! * Join in solidarity with the people of Israel * Condemn terrorist acts by Palestinian extremists * Speak out against growing anti-Semitism in the Bay Area * Support peace between Israel and the Palestinians 3 pm. City Hall Plaza 250 Hamilton Ave. Palo Alto Songs. Speakers. Action. Sponsors thus far; JCRC, Jewish Community Federation, Jewish Federation of Greater San Jose, AIPAC, Consulate General of Israel If your organization or synagogue wishes to be a co-sponsor ysantis@jcrc.org