TIP:
When FR is messed up, try HERE. Or add "beta." at the beginning of the address. IOW, This thread is
http://www.FreeRepublic.com/focus/news/778498/posts
The thread would become
http://beta.freerepublic.com/focus/news/778498/posts
Sometimes it helps. The beta site uses the same database, but will still work if the main forum software is crashing.