Free Republic

The court rejects defense witnesses who would testify about the war's legalityFORT LEWIS, Wash. — The judge in the case against the first American officer court-martialed for refusing to ship out for Iraq barred several experts in international and constitutional law from testifying yesterday about the legality of the war.First Lieutenant Ehren Watada, 28, of Honolulu is charged with missing movement for refusing to ship out with his unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He is also faces charges of conduct unbecoming an officer for accusing the Army of war crimes and denouncing the administration for conducting an "illegal...

FOXBOROUGH -- Green Day played a long set when it headlined in front of 40,000-plus fans at Gillette Stadium last Saturday. Last night, the group did just one song and it was a safe choice: ''Boulevard of Broken Dreams," though it wasn't perhaps the most cheerful track to spice a pre-game show featuring the unveiling of another championship banner for the New England Patriots. It also was curious to see Green Day wedged into a small, hideaway end-zone stage (Elton John was put on the same stage at last year's pre-game show but at least was allowed to do two...

New Orleans--R&B and Rap producer/star, Kanye West has been granted his own "short bus for special people" by the Red Cross, say insiders with the organization. Organizational insiders note that West's on-air indictment of President Bush during a Red Cross fundraiser created "such a passionate bubble of individuality" that West would be better served with his own bus, as opposed to sharing the transportational burdens with other celebrities. Sources say that West's philanthropic travels will also include a full-time reading tutor . . .