Free Republic

Overview A pandemic occurs in many localities - perhaps even worldwide - almost simultaneously. Because of this, much of the planning for a pandemic must be the responsibility of state and local governments. All 50 states, 7 territories, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, will receive a minimum of $500,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to accelerate and intensify current planning efforts for pandemic flu.

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq (Army News Service, Sept. 27, 2005) — Iraqi security and coalition force leaders met Sept. 21 at the Iraqi Army’s K1 training facility near Kirkuk to rehearse security plans for the Oct. 15 constitutional referendum election. Organizations represented at the security plan walk-through included the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police Services, Independent Election Commission—Iraq, Iraqi emergency services and coalition forces. The rehearsal included a military-style “rock drill” where each participant was allowed to rehearse the plan using a large graphical representation of the area laid out on an auditorium floor. “We are helping them set up their rock...

The John Roberts I remember Douglas Newcombe August 4, 2005 When President Bush announced his nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court, I felt an overwhelming surge of pride. I spent four years with John in a small college prep school called La Lumiere, a very special place that formed the character and drive we would retain for the rest of our lives. It was at La Lumiere that John and I grew from boys to men. I knew him well. You can't get up every morning and brush your teeth next to someone for four years without getting...

<p>Some officials say the long overdue big earthquake in California is due any time.(1)(2) Sure, it’s all guesstimation -- Nobody knows for sure what is exactly going on beneath our feet -- and our houses and trees. But as knowledge from modern research is assembled, better forecasts can be given. This discussion is primarily for the San Francisco Bay Area.</p>

City's going to pot: Convention prep skips holes in neighborhoods By Elisabeth J. Beardsley Sunday, July 18, 2004 The pothole plague has been lifted like a miracle from the areas around the Democratic National Convention site, but outlying neighborhoods are complaining that Boston's DNC beautification is passing them by. With indignation growing over the haves and have-nots of a sudden spurt of street repairs, more than 1,200 Boston residents have signed petitions in the last two months, demanding the release of pent-up roadwork money. The petitions have been flying off their stack on the front counter at Jamaica Plain's Classic...