Free Republic

The story of Pat Conroy, the real 'Great Santini'and The Citadel basketball team's remarkable run.

The company that released contaminated flu virus material from a plant in Austria confirmed Friday that the experimental product contained live H5N1 avian flu viruses. And an official of the World Health Organization’s European operation said the body is closely monitoring the investigation into the events that took place at Baxter International’s research facility in Orth-Donau, Austria. “At this juncture we are confident in saying that public health and occupational risk is minimal at present,” medical officer Roberta Andraghetti said from Copenhagen, Denmark. “But what remains unanswered are the circumstances surrounding the incident in the Baxter facility in Orth-Donau.” The...

Kimo Apana, a former Maui County Mayor, testified that he brought a friend into MMMC with a stroke this week and although they needed to admit the friend, there was not a bed.... (so they are now thinking about allowing another hospital, after blocking one last year)

After 16 failed banks to date in 2009, the FDIC raised fees and assessments on member banks to prevent insolvency later this year due to its forecast for more bank failures. FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair Says Insurance Fund Could Be Insolvent This Year “Without these assessments, the deposit insurance fund could become insolvent this year,” Bair wrote in a March 2 letter to the industry. U.S. community banks plan to flood the FDIC with about 5,000 letters in protest of the fees, according to a trade group. “A large number” of bank failures may occur through 2010 because of “rapidly...

After Rihanna, 20, read a text message on Brown's phone from a woman, he tried to force Rihanna out of the car, but couldn't because she was wearing her seatbelt. Brown then allegedly slammed Rihanna's head against her window, and when Rihanna turned to face him, he punched her. The warrant said blood spattered on Rihanna's clothing and the interior of the Lamborghini. Rihanna also called her assistant, according to FOX 11, leaving a message saying, "I am on my way home. Make sure the cops are there when I get there." Brown then replied, "You just did the stupidest...

Press Releases Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami 202-226-7616 For Immediate Release 03/04/2009 Pelosi: Rove and Miers Testifying Before Judiciary Committee is a Victory for the Constitution and Rule of Law Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on today's agreement between the former Bush Administration and House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, Jr. in which Karl Rove and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers will testify on matters related to the dismissal and retention of U.S. Attorneys. Rove and Miers will testify before the House Judiciary Committee in transcribed depositions under penalty of perjury, and the Committee reserves the...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - "Joe the Plumber" is suing three former state officials in Ohio, saying they violated his privacy when they gathered his personal information in a records search. Samuel J. Wurzelbacher says in the federal lawsuit filed Thursday that he suffered emotional distress, harassment, humiliation and embarrassment as a result of their actions. He's seeking unspecified punitive damages.

Speaker Series: Ann Coulter & Bill Maher Monday, Mar 9 8:00pm at Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY Radio City Music Hall 1260 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 (212) 247-4777 MSG Entertainment and the Citi Performing Arts Center are proud to announce “Speaker Series: The Minds That Move The World,” a timely and important series of events that will provide attendees with a unique framework for understanding America’s current political landscape and place in world politics, through the insights of some of the most prominent political figures of our time. Price: $49.50 - $179.50

FDA News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2009 Media Inquiries: Karen Riley, 301-796-4674Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA FDA Warns About Risk of Wearing Medicated Patches During MRIs Certain adhesive patches that deliver medication through the skin have been found to be a risk to patient safety. The patches, if worn while undergoing magnetic resonance imaging scans or MRIs, can cause skin burns, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today. The patches of concern include both brand name and generic products and patches purchased over the counter without a prescription. The FDA issued the Public Health Advisory on transdermal drug patches...

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- A veteran bear says the end is near -- the end of the great bear market. But we're not quite there yet. In its latest issue, Growth Fund Guide draws elaborate technical parallels with the 1929-1932 bear market. In the short run, it concludes that this year's decline "could last for many more days." But not forever. Putting the stock market in a longer perspective, Growth Fund Guide says, "Since its October 9, 2007 high, the DJIA has appeared to us to be in the process of continuing the major bear market that began in early...

Senator John McCain is not giving up his fight against earmarks, even though the Senate rejected his attempt on Tuesday to strip them from the spending bill going through Congress. The Arizona Republican and former presidential candidate announced yesterday he's teaming with Democratic Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin to introduce legislation to give the president a line-item veto to block earmarks. McCain said earmarks, which critics call pork barrel projects, represent a "corrupt practice" that has consumed Congress. Feingold said he believes this legislation would pass constitutional muster because Congress would have to vote whether to agree to the earmark...

European Commission and the European retail sector have launched a Retail Forum as part of their drive to promote more environmentally sustainable consumption patterns. “Retailers can make a major contribution to the achievement of more sustainable consumption and production patters through the products they choose to stock and promote”, said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. http://www.examiner.com/x-1109-Dallas-Environmental-Policy-Examiner~y2009m3d4-European-retailers-going-green

I've been having digestive problems and am having a colonoscopy tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for me.

You thought the analogue-to-digital conversion box fiasco had people confused?Just wait.This is something I can guarantee the overwhelming vast majority of Americans are not aware of – and come next April 15th, there are going to be a whole lot of irate people frantically screaming at their payroll departments demanding to know what the hell happened.And meanwhile, not one official from the Obama Administration – the folks who care so much about America’s working families – is bothering to inform anyone about it.If you are married, and both you and your spouse are entitled to President Obama’s economy-saving blockbuster "tax...

WASHINGTON (AP) — For five weeks, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has battled the worst economic crisis in generations with no key deputies in place. That's made for a rocky debut for the man President Barack Obama put in charge of addressing the financial crisis. With an awkward first television appearance, a bank rescue plan that lacked promised specifics and two restructured bailouts that raised taxpayer risk, Geithner has failed to calm financial markets desperate for answers. Critics say part of the problem is that Geithner is flying solo: Not one of his top 17 deputies has been named, let alone...

Brainwashing First Graders-Kalaheo School continues to teach 'sustainable' practices (not including inventory management) GM taro researchers could face prosecution if Hawaii bill passes Final review panel gives West Maui hospital a go Teacher's alleged killer has long police record Maui to honor its fallen sons Eye on Target: Opening crowds rush in (recession, what recession?) Day late and dollar short? Hawaii Co Council approves projects to comply with stimulus terms

It's burned in my brain, and chokes me up every time: Tony Blair declaring on September 11, 2001, that Britain stands "shoulder to shoulder" with the U.S. George W. recognized and fostered the special relationship that we have with our friends across the pond during his presidency. The Blairs and the Browns were welcomed with open arms, and the two countries worked together on many an occasion in many different ways. Now only about 6 weeks into his presidency and Obama has given the Brits a very chilly shoulder. First he returns a bust of Churchill. Then he treats a...

This is so funny -- Jimmy Kimmel doing his best OctoMom! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfsr-pG-umQ&eurl=http://seriouslyomg.com

Waukegan police said a clerk at a guns-and-ammunition store appears to have shot a man who was trying to rob the establishment this afternoon. Officers responded at about 1:45 p.m. to Mike Schrank's Smoke 'N Gun, 2010 Washington St., to a call of a person shot, according to a police news release. There they found a man who had been shot twice in the chest and once in the leg, and a shop clerk who had a gun trained on him, the statement said. Witnesses told investigators that the injured man went behind the counter and argued with the clerk....

Many conservatives, myself included, have backed away from the political fray since November 4, 2008. Each of us has his or her own reasons for doing so, but I suspect that those reasons fall into two broad categories for most: (1) A sense of hopelessness and futility, even as regards the pen and the ballot box, to make a difference in the direction in which our republic is being steamrolled. Rampant ignorance and apathy brought us to the brink, and evil men in leadership positions are gleefully providing the final push. (2) Where to begin even attempting to bring...