Free Republic

Today, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that 200 special operations troops are heading to Iraq. Approximately 200 special operations forces, including intelligence personnel, pilots to position them, mechanics to maintain their aircraft, a quick reaction force and other support personnel in addition to the main assault force are headed to Iraq in the next few weeks as part of the new “specialized expeditionary targeting force” according to a U.S. official. A separate senior U.S. official said that capturing senior ISIS leaders would be an important component of the new assault force’s mission to learn more about ISIS networks as...

Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter has fired his top military aide for allegations of “misconduct,” a highly unusual move prior to a formal investigation into possible misbehavior by the Army general. In a statement, Carter said that he had removed Lt. Gen. Ron Lewis from his position as senior military assistant. As his top military aide, Lewis was a right-hand advisor to Carter, providing him analysis on military issues, joining him at high-level meetings, and traveling with him on overseas missions. Carter said the Pentagon’s Inspector General would investigate the allegations against Lewis and, if necessary, the Army would take...

Defense Secretary Ash Carter is removing a senior military assistant, Army Lt. Gen. Ron Lewis, from his position after learning about allegations of misconduct, Carter announced Thursday. "I directed that this matter be referred to the inspector general of the Department of Defense for investigation," he said in a statement. A senior defense official would not discuss the nature of the alleged misconduct but said Carter was "very surprised" to learn of the allegations.

Rep. Ron Lewis (R-Ky.) has withdrawn his papers to run for re-election, according to a spokesman in his Congressional office, adding yet another Republican to the ranks of retirements today. According to the source, Lewis’ chief of staff withdrew the congressman’s filing papers with the Kentucky Board of Elections this afternoon. The filing deadline to qualify for the ballot in Kentucky was at 4 p.m. today. It is unclear whether there will be any other Republicans who will qualify for the ballot. The district is solidly Republican, though Democrats contested the seat last cycle. President Bush won 65 percent of...

Last week we suggested that cancellation of $25 billion in pork projects -- euphemistically known as "earmarks" -- in the recently passed Highway Bill would be a good first step to offset some of the cost of rebuilding the infrastructure in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. The idea of a pork-for-reconstruction swap had already been denounced as "moronic" by a spokesman for Don Young of Alaska, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee and proud father of the now-infamous $223 million "bridge to nowhere" near Ketchikan. Since then the White House and Congressional Republican leadership have been acting as...

<p>Rep. Ron Lewis, Kentucky Republican, has just introduced a bill to allow congressional override of Supreme Court decisions. Trying to curb the Supreme Court's power is about as hopeless as the fate of Sisyphus doomed for eternity to roll up a steep hill a huge stone that tumbles back down when he reaches the top. Then the whole process starts once more. Will Mr. Lewis be a modern Sisyphus?</p>

WASHINGTON (Talon News) -- Rep. Ron Lewis (R-KY) has offered legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow Congress to overturn future U.S. Supreme Court decisions by a super majority vote. "The Congressional Accountability for Judicial Activism Act," or H.R. 3920, would give Congress permission to override certain U.S. Supreme Court rulings if two-thirds of both houses of Congress vote for it. Lewis said he drafted this legislation to combat the activist judges who have been "legislating from the bench" in recent years. "America's judicial branch has become increasingly overreaching and disconnected from the values of everyday Americans,"...

<p>Two Kentucky fiscal courts recently lost another round with the latest federal court ruling regarding Ten Commandment displays in government buildings.</p> <p>In a Dec. 18 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an earlier court decision demanding Decalogue displays in McCreary and Pulaski courthouses and a Harlan County school be removed.</p>

At pomp's center stands powerful GOP senator By Ryan Alessi HERALD-LEADER FRANKFORT BUREAU Associated Press Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher and his wife Glenna dance the first dance under a spotlight during the Grand March as part of his inauguration festivities, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. FRANKFORT - "Congratulations," some said. Others offered, "Nice job," or "It's great, isn't it?" Many simply said, "Thank you." Although this was Gov. Ernie Fletcher's day, it was U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell -- like a proud papa -- quietly fielding such praise yesterday, as well as hugs and handshakes, from...

<p>LEXINGTON, Ky. — U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said yesterday that the Republican Party will go all-out to keep the 6th District congressional seat being given up by Rep. Ernie Fletcher, who was elected governor Tuesday.</p> <p>And in a related development, state Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr of Lexington has emerged as the favorite for the Republican nomination for the special election to fill the seat.</p>