Free Republic

You have every right to be mad, Chicago. Something smells rotten in Denmark, and the stench is making everybody hold their noses on this side of the Atlantic. Honk if you hate the IOC process. This was the most frustrating defeat in Chicago's recent sports history. This beats them all, worse the Cubs getting swept by the Dodgers in the 2008 Divisional Playoffs or the Bears losing to the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. This is worse than your favorite No. 1 seed being knocked out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. At least we know how they...

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Several national and state mental health, legal and gay-rights groups will get their arguments heard by the state Supreme Court as the justices consider whether homosexuals can serve as foster parents in Arkansas. A state judge said in 2004 that it was unconstitutional for the Child Welfare Agency Review Board to bar homosexuals from serving as foster parents. Justices on Thursday accepted four friend-of-the-court briefs filed on behalf of 18 groups wishing to weigh in. The briefs expand on scientific, legal and social issues raised during a trial held before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox....

Highland Park enacted Lake County’s first smoking ban Wednesday, a move local health officials say is something they hope all municipalities will soon consider.It means all indoor public areas, including restaurants, taxis and places of work, in the city are off limits to smokers. The ordinance was approved by the city council in April.“The second-hand smoke issue is becoming really big,” said Bill Mays, the county health department’s director of community health services. “Highland Park’s leadership in this regard is an important precedent.”Health department officials say the action is the most sweeping they’ve seen. That’s due, in part, because Highland...