Free Republic

In an earlier incarnation, Scott Wilson worked for several years as the Washington Post's Jerusalem correspondent. So you would think that he learned something about the ancient historical, political, national, and cultural ties of Jews to the Holy Land. But you would be wrong. In the Post's May 28 edition, Wilson, currently the paper's White House correspondent, writes as follows in the lead paragraph of his article about the arrival of President Obama in Poland: WARSAW--Within hours of arriving Friday in this once-occupied capital, President Obama encountered the enduring emotion surrounding the state of Israel, founded as a sanctuary from...

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 28, 2010 – After being asked a question about his life, Marine Corps Pfc. Duy Trinh took a moment to reflect on the answer and how it may sound. Marine Corps Pfc. Duy Trinh checks his gear before returning it to the property control office at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 25, 2010. The Vietnam native will serve as an engineer equipment mechanic. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Frances Candelaria  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “I was born in Saigon, Vietnam,”...

CAMP ECHO, Iraq, Feb. 17, 2009 – When some people reach a certain stage in life, they may decide to set their dreams aside. But one grandmother of three decided to make her dream come true -- a quarter of a century later. Army Pfc. Alexandria Enmund, a 43-year-old grandmother of three, is deployed to Patrol Base Hillah, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army Pfc. Alexandria Enmund, an Orlando, Fla. native, enlisted at the age of 41, and served at Fort Carson, Colo., for about six months before deploying. The...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2008 – Many wounded warriors who have served in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom have paid the price for their participation in combat. Depending on that price, many view not only themselves as a hero, but those who were lost. Army Spc. Susan Downes holds an Afghan girl during her tour there in 2006. Downes was seriously wounded there in November 2006 when the convoy she was riding in ran over a bomb. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “I was just doing my job. I think we all were,” said...

td> U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Trotta enters a Humvee during a combat mission near Camp Blessing in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province. Trotta, from Orange Park, Fla., is company gunnery sergeant of Headquarters and Service Company of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Courtesy photo U.S. Marine CorpsGunnery Sgt. John Trotta Marine Keeps Promise, Enlists to Fight for Country By Marine Sgt. Joe LindsayTask Force Lava Public Affairs JALALABAD, Afghanistan, April 21, 2006 — “I always told myself that if my country ever went to war, I would join the military and fight for her,” said Gunnery Sgt. John Trotta. He...

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Army News Service, Nov. 3, 2005) -- When a recruiter stopped by to talk to his son, Roderick Evans was the one sold on the military. A home health care specialist in Detroit, Mich., Evans had a passion for helping others and a desire to make a difference. A military medical career sounded like a perfect fit. The recruiter, on the other hand, saw a different picture. He took one look at Evans and said, “You’re just too big.” At 5 feet, 7 inches and 418 pounds, Evans could hardly disagree. But instead of easing the...

BURBANK, Calif. - With his popularity at an all-time low, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger turned Monday to another political star - Sen. John McCain - to help sell his November ballot proposals to a skeptical public. In a brief, joint appearance with the governor in a hotel conference room, the Arizona senator urged California voters to support the four initiatives backed by Schwarzenegger on the special election ballot. They said little about the specifics of the proposals and instead depicted them broadly as an important step in efforts to make government more accountable. "I have campaigned for reform efforts all over...

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) - Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) spearheaded a fresh attack on Democratic White House hopeful John Kerry (news - web sites), mocking him for vowing to rally allies to a "more sensitive" war on terrorism. US President George W. Bush (news - web sites), meanwhile, visited Las Vegas two days after Kerry stumped for votes here and was poised to campaign in heavily Democratic California with its popular Republican Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites). Cheney kicked off a nasty back-and-forth by deriding Kerry's pledge last week to wage "a more...

<p>As Gov. Gray Davis searches -- so far in vain -- for enough Republican votes to enact his budget in the state Assembly, he is employing a powerful force of allies: sheriffs and big-city chiefs of police.</p> <p>The governor's press office trotted out a squad of top cops on July 1 -- the first day of the state's new fiscal year -- to warn that unless the budget is adopted quickly, law enforcement programs will be imperiled.</p>