Free Republic

Many libertarians and their fellow travelers are tired with organized politics. The Libertarian Party has not won any federal elections, and its leadership is not trusted by the hard-line contingent. Think-tanks dedicated to the free market have not been very forceful on unpopular issues, and have appeared to approve the careless half-steps and misfires of the Republican party. In 1996, Harry Browne was to be the most successful Libertarian to run for president. He had a great media schedule and celebrity endorsements. His name was mentioned in some opinion polls, often claiming that two to three percent of America would ...

Time to cut taxes Time to cut taxes   July 6, 1999   In a sarcastically silly response to rising Republican support for a larger tax cut, House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri said last week that the GOP wants "to spend over a trillion dollars" on tax cuts. "Spend," he said. A word choice that all too accurately fits the attitude taxpayers are up against in Congress. That trillion dollars Gephardt was talking about is, in fact, our money. Congress collected it from us. The obvious and only reason there is a spare trillion dollars lying around ...

Contrary to previous reports, protesters were permitted in Phoenix today, but they had to be clever. My 12-year old daughter, dittokid, and I, the humble dittomom, did our best to find a spot to "welcome" the President to Phoenix today. Having heard that the executive terminal at the airport would be closed to the public, we were unsure where to go to join the "crowds" who would be greeting the president. I did not feel comfortable going to Chicanos Por La Causa or the Canasta Tortilla Factory, the published stops on the President's trip. South Phoenix is not my "turf" ...

For Editorial and Discussion use only: White House hopeful Bradley ready to go on TV Updated 6:10 PM ET July 7, 1999 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley, who normally addresses crowds of a few dozen while on the campaign trail, will speak to an estimated 6 million people Friday when he steps on stage at NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Bradley's appearance will coincide with plans to crank up what has been thus far his low-key campaign against Vice President Al Gore for the Democratic presidential nomination. "Campaigns have a certain rhythm, and ours is starting ...

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED, JULY 07, 1999 21:09:58 ET XXXXX PAPER: BUSH DECLINES INVITATION TO MINORITY JOURNALISTS MEETING Presidential candidate George W. Bush will make campaign appearances in Seattle Thursday but has no plans to address a conference of 6,000 minority journalists meeting that will be going down at the same time, the LOS ANGELES TIMES is planning to report on Thursday, according to publishing sources. And late Wednesday, one Bush campaign official shot back, calling the story "nothing more than a game of racial innuendo." The paper's Sam Fulwood III reports: "Organizers said Bush told them his ...

Eleven score and three years ago, our fathers brought forth a new nation dedicated to the principle that all people are created equal and "endowed with certain inalienable rights." On the celebration of this great occasion, it is fitting and right to join with others in the call for a new world order. As we prepare to enter the 21st century, it is right that the American people should: recognize that the principles on which their great nation was founded have been overwhelmingly accepted by all peoples; respond to the global interconnectedness that the information age has created; accept the ...

Joe Lockhardt announced today that Clinton would be in Des Moines, Iowa for a Harkin fund raiser (pimp-a-thon) on Friday. If you go to Drudge, click on "Joe Lockhardt" and then on "This weeks briefings and press relases". You will see a "Press Secretary Statement" link under July 7, 1999.That's the announcement. More detail tomorrow.

For Editorial and Discussion use only: Babbitt Appears Before Grand Jury By H. JOSEF HEBERT Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt appeared a second day Wednesday before a grand jury investigating whether campaign gifts influenced the rejection of a proposed Indian casino in Wisconsin and whether he lied about the issue to Congress. ``I came here to answer all of their questions. I'm happy to do so,'' he told reporters as he left the federal courthouse. He called the proceedings ``very professional'' but would not comment further. Babbitt had also testified before the grand jury on ...

For Editorial and Discussion use only: Jesse Jackson Tours With Clinton By SONYA ROSS Associated Press Writer PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) -- President Clinton had just finished an impassioned call for a sea change in how the government treats American Indians when some in the audience began chanting for a man who hadn't uttered a word: Jesse Jackson. ``Speak, Jesse Speak!'' a few people called. ``Run, Jesse Run!'' others said. One women just yelled ``Reverend Jackson!'' over and over again. This is how it's been since Clinton began his national poverty tour in Appalachia three days ago with Jackson at ...

For Editorial and discussion use only: Forbes, Keyes Address GOP Activists By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Republican presidential candidates Steve Forbes and Alan Keyes told party activists Wednesday night the GOP must present a substantive message to voters to have any hope of winning the White House. They made their remarks at a private dinner kicking off the Republican National Committee's summer meeting here. It was a tough crowd: Many of the delegates have already come out in support of Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Party activist Charles P. Sexton's response was typical: ``Excellent Republican message. ...

Yes! With all of this GOOD material, it's time for..... Another Caption Contest!

First Lady sets out on her long march By Philip Delves Broughton THE most compelling second act in American politics began yesterday in the emerald hills of New York State as Hillary Clinton set out to return to Washington in her own right, as a senator. The wave that has been swelling in the midst of Bill Clinton's impeachment trial, when the idea that the First Lady might run was first mooted, crested at the farm of the man Mrs Clinton hopes to succeed, New York's present Senator, Daniel Moynihan. There she received Mr Moynihan's blessing, kissed a small ...

Here they are folks, those who have been "honored" after appearing on Sunday's news shows PROFESSIONALS' MONTHLY Be sure to check out the "THINKING MAN" cartoon at the bottom of the page. Thanks.

  Thursday, July 8, 1999   Senior Syrian official says country is ready 'to match every Israeli peace move'   By Daniel Sobelmen, Ha'aretz Correspondent and AP Syria yesterday accepted an offer by Prime Minister Ehud Barak to make peace, saying it "will meet every step [by Israel] with a similar one." Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Syrian Foreign Ministry official said, "Syria shares with Israel Prime Minister Barak the same wish to put an end to war and establish a comprehensive peace in the region." He added that "the Syrian government is ready to meet every step ...

This column is about America's walk on the moon and the untold story of one of the most poignant presidential speeches in American history--a speech that never had to be delivered. In two weeks, this country will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the day when Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. stepped onto the surface of the moon. Over the past three decades, many of the details of that epic trip have been told over and over again in books and movies. And so, naturally, we now take it as a given that the trip was destined to ...

Anyone seeking to understand the bloody fiasco of the Serbian war need hardly look further than the person of the beribboned Supreme Allied Commander, General Wesley K. Clark. Politicians and journalists are generally according him a respectful hearing as he discourses on the "schedule" for the destruction of Serbia, tellingly embracing phrases favored by military bureaucrats such as "systematic" and "methodical". The reaction from former army subordinates is very different. "The poster child for everything that is wrong with the GO (general officer) corps," exclaims one colonel, who has had occasion to observe Clark in action, citing, among other examples, ...

Since the Nato airstrikes began on March 24 Serb officials say more than 2,000 civilians have been killed and more than 7,500 wounded. Nato has owned up to bombing raids and missile attacks that have killed 460 civilians, according to a tally by Agence France-Presse. By all accounts, the bombing was indiscriminate, killing farmers, suburbanites, city dwellers, factory workers, reporters, diplomats, people in cars, busses and trains, hospital patients, the elderly and children. Indeed, by our count, Nato bombing raids have killed more than 200 children. Hundreds more will almost certainly perish in the coming months, through environmental factors, such ...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt appeared a second day Wednesday before a grand jury investigating whether campaign gifts influenced the rejection of a proposed Indian casino in Wisconsin and whether he lied about the issue to Congress. ``I came here to answer all of their questions. I'm happy to do so,'' he told reporters as he left the federal courthouse. He called the proceedings ``very professional'' but would not comment further. Babbitt had also testified before the grand jury on June 30. The 14-month investigation by Independent Counsel Carol Elder Bruce into the Interior Department's rejection of a ...

JURY FINDS TOBACCO INDUSTRY LIABLE IN CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT MIAMI: The jury in the first class-action lawsuit by smokers ever to go to trial found that cigarette-makers produced a defective product that causes emphysema, lung cancer and other illnesses - a ruling that could expose the industry to billions in damages. The jury, which deliberated over a complicated 10-question verdict form for seven days yesterday, will return in the next phase to determine damages. Their decision could prove to be the industry's most dire courtroom loss yet, since the plaintiffs are seeking at least 200 billion dollars, reports AP.The lawsuit was ...

SUING GOD The Association of Trial Lawyers of America today announced that its members were collectively filing suit against God. The suit names God as a defendant in a class-action brought on behalf of the human race. Filed in New York District Court, the suit includes the following allegations: - That God did, knowingly and willfully, create an imperfect world, thus subjecting the defendants to virtually unlimited pain and suffering. - That, despite incessant complaints and orders to desist from plaintiffs and their duly authorized representatives, God allowed human suffering to continue up to the time the suit was ...