Free Republic

CHICAGO - Former Gov. George Ryan, who drew international praise when he commuted the sentences of everyone on Illinois' death row, was convicted of racketeering and fraud Monday in a corruption scandal that ended his political career in 2003. Ryan, 72, sat stone-faced as the verdict was read and afterward vowed to appeal. "I believe this decision today is not in accordance with the kind of public service that I provided to the people of Illinois over 40 years, and needless to say I am disappointed in the outcome," the former governor said. Ryan faces up to 20 years in...

Does party loyalty run both ways among Republican senators? That remains to be seen after Republican Majority for Choice (RMC), a pro-abortion caucus within the GOP, began a spirited attack on Sen. Rick Santorum this week. RMC launched full- and quarter-page ads in nearly every major daily newspaper in Pennsylvania -- mock "Help Wanted" announcements calling for "Real Republican Candidates for Senate." The ad advocates "the Big Tent philosophy Ronald Reagan helped to build," and warns in bold, "Candidates who claim to be Republicans but instead use the Party to further their own personal or religious agenda need not apply."...

MASSACHUSETTS and eight other Northeastern states are close to taking a crucial step in reducing the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The states are proposing to first cap the carbon dioxide emissions of their electric power plants and then reduce them by 10 percent by 2020. To emit CO{-2}, plants would need special carbon allowances, which could be bought and sold among power producers throughout the nine states. The proposed reduction is modest, but the principle of a carbon cap is so important to slowing climate change that the initiative is well worth supporting. The Northeastern states have been...

Ognibene Hopes To Parlay Queens Nod Into Backing From Bronx GOP BY DINA TEMPLE-RASTON - Staff Reporter of the Sun February 9, 2005 Mayor Bloomberg's sometimes difficult relationship with his fellow Republicans may come back to haunt him tomorrow night when the Queens County GOP organization is expected to endorse a former City Council minority leader, Thomas Ognibene, over the mayor in a Republican primary. While the Queens organization won't make the vote official until tomorrow, sources close to the party said Mr. Ognibene, the Queens GOP vice chairman, has the votes he needs to get the party's nod...