Free Republic

Now that Pope Benedict XVI has expressed regret for offending Muslims in remarks he made last week, we hope Catholics and Muslims alike will put aside the pontiff’s ill-considered comments and move forward in a conciliatory spirit. Muslim leaders need to condemn the specific acts of violence that followed the pope’s speech. Even more important, they must work against the nurturing of grievance that magnifies and politicizes insults, giving them a destructive dynamic. [snip] The pope and the Vatican can also do more. For the past two years, Benedict has been a no-show at interfaith gatherings in Assisi, begun 20...

2 On Your Side has confirmed that the FBI is adding fugitive Ralph Bucky Phillips to its infamous Top 10 Most Wanted list. Meanwhile, the reward for information in connection to the case has been increased to $350,000. The FBI is offering $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Phillips. The New York State Police Benevolent Association announced at a press conference in Albany Thursday afternoon they have raised money for a reward for information leading the arrest and conviction of Phillips is now $300,000. Another $50,000 will be available for information leading to the arrest and...

One portion of the state budget that's pretty much a done deal could save you a lot of money. The state plans to drop its share of the sales tax on clothing and shoes under $110 all year long! But how much you save will depend on exactly where you shop. Plan on buying some clothes in the near future, say after April 1? Well you can do it tax free, sort of and no April Fools! Shopper Latasha Dinkins said, “I'll be back to shop!” And you can bet many others will too all year long. It’s a welcome...

The myth that New Yorkers choose their top trial judges by democratic election was exploded last week by a 77-page federal court decision striking down the clubhouse-controlled selection process for violating the rights of candidates and voters. Judge John Gleeson of the United States District Court in Brooklyn laid out in damning detail the state's system — unique in the nation — of letting party leaders anoint candidates for State Supreme Court judgeships at sharply controlled nominating conventions held out of public view. ... Judge Gleeson has performed a valuable public service in pulling the plug on this sham. We...

ROCHESTER, NY (2005-11-09) New Clean Car standards are being adopted in New York today. That's in an effort to reduce the amount of Global Warming pollutants that come from cars sold in the state. The Natural Resource Defense Council in New York is commending the Pataki administration for implementing the standards that were first adopted by California in 2004. Theo Spencer is the Senior Project Manager at the NRDC's Climate Center. He says the new standards require better pollution control on new vehicles. They target emmissions of pollutants that are said to contribute greatly to global warming: carbon dioxide, methane,...

Attention New York State pro-life citizens: Please call Gov. Pataki at 518-474-8390 and tell him to VETO A.116/S.3661 which is the bill to make abortifacient pills legal. Even though Governor Pataki is pro-"choice," Senator Bruno has said that the governor has not made his decision yet. If you call during nonbusiness hours, you can leave your message with your name, phone # and town where you live, on the answering machine.

I received this e-mail from NYSCatholicConference.org: Stop Cloning and Embryo Research Contact Your Assembly Representative Now On Tuesday, May 3, 2005 the New York State Assembly Health Committee voted in favor of releasing dangerous legislation (A.6300)that would promote human cloning for the purpose of conducting medical experiments on living human embryos. This means that the full Assembly can vote on this issue in the very near future. Please urge your Assembly representative to oppose this bill. Embryonic stem cell research depends on human cloning and is a radical assault on human life! Take action now.

Top Silver Aide Michael Boxley Indicted on Rape Charges(updated: August 1st, 5:00pm) A grand jury today indicted top legislative lawyer Michael Boxley on charges he raped a 22-year-old co-worker. Boxley, a top aide for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, has been on unpaid leave since he arrested at the State Capitol in June.The indictment consists of two counts, each of first and third-degree rape. The woman alleged Boxley assaulted her at her apartment after a night of partying at local bars.Boxley has maintained his innocence through his lawyer.Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver released a statement this afternoon. "I am advised that certain...

ALBANY - The state Tax Department, concerned about threats of violence from members of the Seneca Nation of Indians, is poised to go after consumers who buy untaxed cigarettes from Internet and mail-order Native American retailers. The agency's head of enforcement told a state tobacco control panel Thursday that tax officials are working with federal and state agencies to get names of consumers who make those purchases. Peter Farrell, deputy commissioner at the Tax Department, said consumers could become targets if the agency can't get shipping companies and Native American retailers to comply with a state law enacted in 2000...

ALBANY, N.Y. -- A prominent legislative lawyer was placed on leave Monday after being charged with raping a 22-year-old co-worker at her apartment after a night of drinking. Michael Boxley, who earned $130,395 as chief counsel to Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, had been absent from work since he was arrested last Wednesday and taken out of his Capitol office in handcuffs. Boxley, 43, was charged with one count each of first- and third-degree rape. Police said Boxley offered the woman a ride home after the two met colleagues for drinks at a bar and sexually assaulted her at her...

CATTARAUGUS INDIAN RESERVATION - State lawmakers are looking to Native Americans, especially the Seneca Nation, to help balance this year's budget and provide more money to spend on education and health care. But those legislators are going to be sorely disappointed, Seneca leaders and residents said last week. "I will fight, whatever it takes, to protect our sovereignty and prosper. There's got to be an ultimate cost," said Barry E. Snyder Sr., the Seneca Tribal Council chairman who owns smoke shops and gasoline stations on the Cattaraugus and Allegany reservations. There are fears of a return to the battles of...

About Us - Project Rebirth at Ground Zero Project Rebirth, a cinematic landmark chronicling the rebirth of Ground Zero in New York City, will capture, through 35mm timelapse photography, the restoration of the entire area where the World Trade Center formerly stood. The project is being produced by Project Rebirth, Inc., a New York non-profit corporation dedicated to the film's creation, production, and distribution. The film is intended for installation in a memorial museum, where multiple screens will surround the audience giving the impression of the buildings rising around them as they hear the sounds of New York, and...