Free Republic

You may have gotten wind of the seven North Dakota oil companies recently charged in federal court with the deaths of 28 migratory birds. The birds allegedly landed in oil waste pits in western North Dakota last spring; the maximum penalty for each charge under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is six months in prison and a $15,000 fine, the AP said. But did you know that wind-power companies are responsible for more than 400,000 bird deaths annually, and not one has faced a single charge? The Wall Street Journal knows it, opining yesterday that the prosecutions are “bird-brained,” especially...

Shirley Eberle of Sunnyside didn't know it at the time, but as she plucked roe from kelp at an Alaskan fishery 20 years ago she was working next to future vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Years later, Betty Chavers of Yakima sensed Palin might be destined for something bigger when she worked as an accountant for the city of Wasilla, Alaska, between 2001 and 2003. Palin was mayor at the time. "She is one tough lady. Very gracious, very well-informed," said Chavers, who owns the Quiznos on South First Street. "Being in accounting, she would say, 'Is this necessary? If...

Friday, March 7th 2008 A senior foreign policy adviser to Barack Obama was forced to apologize Thursday night for describing Hillary Clinton as a "monster" during an interview with a Scottish newspaper, a major embarrassment to the Illinois senator who promised voters he wouldn't engage in the politics of personal destruction.