Free Republic

The attorneys who successfully challenged Hazleton's illegal immigration ordinance in federal court want the city to pay their legal fees and costs totaling close to $2.4 million. A 28-page petition filed in federal court Friday blames the city for driving up the fees for the attorneys pursuing the case, who represented several of Hazleton's Hispanic residents, landlords and community groups. Since passing the first ordinance of its kind in July 2006, the city passed at least three additional versions of the ordinance in an attempt to improve its chances of winning the lawsuit. The often unexpected changes made the case...

HAZLETON — When Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta’s assistant checked the office voice mail box at 7 p.m. Thursday, it was full. By 6 p.m. Friday, it was loaded with yet another batch of well-wishers, some asking how they could donate to the city’s legal defense fund. Then there’s the city’s e-mail inbox. Cherie Homa, the assistant, estimates it has received more than 500 messages since a federal judge struck down the Illegal Immigration Relief Act Thursday afternoon. “We’ve been going nonstop,” she said. But no matter how numerous the supporters, one number is perhaps most important to the next step...

Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta is cutting a family vacation short and planning a press conference in anticipation that a federal judge will issue a ruling on Hazleton's illegal immigration ordinance tomorrow afternoon, the mayor said.Hazleton has been at the heart of a national debate ever since July 2006 when it passed an ordinance punishing landlords and employers for doing business with illegal immigrants. A separate ordinance makes English the official language. Hundreds of municipalities around the country - and at least two dozen in Northeastern Pennsylvania - passed or considered copycat laws. The American Civil Liberties Union and several other...

MECHANICSVILLE — A fire that caused more than $150,000 in damage to the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County early Wednesday morning appears to have been accidental, a state police investigator said. State police fire marshal Trooper John F. Burns of the Frackville station said he worked with federal agents and local fire officials to determine the blaze originated in a storage area near the kitchen. “We know where it started; now, we want to determine exactly how,” Burns said. ...

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- K12 Inc. today announced that William J. Bennett has resigned as an employee, and as Chairman and member of the company's Board of Directors, effective immediately. K12 Inc. said the Board accepted his resignation, thanking him for his contributions to the company. K12 Inc. said that it has no relationship with, or involvement in, Dr. Bennett's radio program. The opinions expressed by Dr. Bennett on his radio program are his and his alone. Dr. Bennett, in a separate statement said: "I am in the midst of a political battle based on a coordinated campaign...

Surprise! No 4th of July graphics at Google. They must have been really encouraged by the flak they got on Memorial Day.

Help! I can't pull images off the screen! On CNN July 2 there is unforgettable, priceless footage of Kerry and the Mrs., begging for photoshop. He is waving to the crowd, walking behind her. She stops, he bumps into her. She bends over and has another one of her "ewwww" looks. I hate to post, folks, and I hate to beg, but this image must not be lost. Please somebody do history a favor and post this image!

Day is done, gone the sun From the lake, from the hills, from the sky; All is well, safety rest, God is nigh. Fading light dims the sight, And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright; From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night. Sun has set, shadows come, Time has fled, we must go to our rest; Always true to the promises we've made. Then good night, peaceful night, 'Til the light of the dawn shineth bright, God is near, do not fear---Friend, good night. Dear one, rest! In the west Sable night lulls the day on her breast; Sweet...