Free Republic

he New York Times may have a reputation as America’s premiere newspaper, but it also has a well-deserved reputation among informed Americans as a flunky for every big-government scheme that ever came down the pike. Moreover, New York Times' reporters on the scene in Russia and Cuba repeatedy put out false stories benefiting Stalin and Castro, two of the most tyrannical dictators of modern times. The New York Times’ affair with false reporting on behalf of totalitarianism is far more serious than than Jayson Blair's plagiarisms and fabrications in various stories in 2002-03, or even last year's admission that the...

On the eve of the White House immigration summit a few days ago, NumbersUSA - a group determined to shut the borders to illegal immigrants -- tried to drum up donations by bashing Sen. John Cornyn and his "frightening pro-amnesty" stance. Immigrant advocates don't exactly view Cornyn as a top ally, so a fierce attack from the right is a bit surprising. He adamantly opposes anything the pro-immigrant side considers amnesty -- which would involve providing a path to citizenship for those 12 million already here. But he does favor a new guest/temporary worker program of some sort, to ease...

As the fallout from the global financial crisis continues, the burning question in international financial circles is whether the U. S. dollar, the world’s reserve currency since the Second World War, can retain its status. Chinese and Russian leaders have already signaled their distaste for continued dollar hegemony, and the latter have even taken the extraordinary step of publicly seeking assurances that their dollar-denominated assets — U.S. government debt — will be protected. The concern is that, with the Federal Reserve’s recent expansionary policies — pumping trillions of new dollars into the world’s money supply — the dollar will begin...

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) says he would be "very surprised" if he ended up running for president. He is in his second term as governor and became the head of the Republican Governors Association after South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford stepped down following his admission of an extramarital affair. On CBS's "Face the Nation," Gov. Barbour said that the $787 billion fiscal stimulus package passed earlier this year is "far too expensive." The Obama administration argues that it will save or create 3.5 million jobs over two years.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius appeared on "FOX News Sunday" to discuss the Obama administration's plan for health care. Sebelius says the system needs competition. She said Obama is "open to discussions" to how to make the government-run plan better. Sebelius also discussed how this would be paid for, the question of rationing care and tort reform.

Minnesota’s Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty took aim Sunday at the high price tag for President Obama’s ambitious plans to reform the nation’s health care system. “The president said not long ago in an interview, quote-unquote, we are out of money,” Pawlenty told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King when asked whether the country could afford health care reform right now. “With all due respect Mr. President, if we’re out of money, quit spending it,” Pawlenty added. “And, so no, we can’t afford it. This is a nation that has got a debt load and a deficit load that is unsustainable....

Discussing disgraced South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a fellow Republican, said governors and other national leaders are expected “to live by a higher standard because … the culture of the nation” can be hurt by their failings. “Seeing this family become healed is our highest priority,” Romney said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “At the same time, and not commenting particularly on Governor Sanford, … people in public life ought to be held to a higher standard. … I heard one … former governor say, ‘Well, everybody makes mistakes.’ Well, that’s true. “But not all...

Link only, per FR posting rules

The European Union has demanded the immediate release of Iranian staff at Britain's embassy in Tehran detained on Saturday over post-election unrest. EU ministers meeting in Greece warned that "harassment or intimidation" of embassy staff would be met with a "strong and collective" response. Iranian media reported that eight local staff at the UK mission had been held for their role in the recent riots. UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband dismissed the allegations as baseless. Relations between the countries are strained after President Ahmadinejad accused the UK of stoking post-election protests, which London denies. Iran has repeatedly accused foreign powers...

India is planning to provide its 1.1 billion-plus citizens with ID cards. Entrepreneur, Nandan Nilekani has been chosen to lead the ambitious project which will be the second largest citizens' database in a democracy, with China being the biggest. The government believes the scheme, which will be finalised over three years, will aid the delivery of vital social services to the poorest people who often lack sufficient identification papers. It also sees the scheme as a way to tackle increasing amounts of identity fraud and theft and, at a time of increased concern over the threat of militant violence, to...

The discovery of a rare blood-sucking fish in the River Wear is proof of high water quality, conservationists said. Seven adult sea lampreys, which have toothed, funnel-like sucking mouths, have been found in the river near Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Only three species of lampreys remain in Britain, and they are protected under European law. The Environment Agency said the creatures only breed in water which is very clean. So far the agency has identified twelve spawning sites, known as redds. Fisheries officer Paul Frear said: "We were thrilled to discover lampreys back in the River Wear, as these rare blood-suckers...

Hung, HBO’s new comedy debuting at 10 p.m. on June 28, follows a broke high school coach who becomes a male prostitute to leverage his God-given “gift.” The show isn’t as sordid as one might think. It’s also not as funny or innovative as the saucy title portends. The comedy’s true gift is star Thomas Jane, who imbues the main character with the type of relatable flaws that set him apart from most small-screen protagonists. He plays Ray Drecker, a basketball coach suffering a mid-life crisis and economic meltdown all at once. Ray’s surly ex-wife (Anne Heche) married up and...

Isaiah 56:1 Be Just and Fair to All, the Lord God Says. Do what's Right and Good, For I Am Coming Soon to Rescue you.

DEVELOPING: Television pitchman Billy Mays — who built his fame by appearing on commercials and infomercials promoting household products and gadgets — died Sunday, MyFOXTampa.com reports.

Hitting limited theaters this weekend is the true and eye-opening story of a modern-day woman who was tragically stoned to death in Iran after she was falsely accused and deemed guilty of adultery. Produced by the man behind “Braveheart” and “The Passion of the Christ” and based on the book of the same name, “The Stoning of Soraya M.” was inspired by true events that took place in 1986 and comes out as the current strife plaguing a deeply divided Iran has caught the world's attention. On Friday, foreign ministers from Group of Eight countries said they deplored post-election violence...

'I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M SITTING NEXT TO A REPUBLICAN!' By HARRY STEIN June 28, 2009 -- The phone messages and e-mails from fellow conservatives started coming early on election night 2008 and continued well into the next day. Some were anguished, some merely fatalistic. But all featured at least a dollop of gallows humor. As the dimensions of the disaster became apparent, my friend Cary announced he might have to skip work. "For how long?" I asked. "I'm thinking a year." Who could blame him? Obama may be our worst nightmare, front man for every species of noxious, left-wing activism...

According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control, 40 percent of American babies born in 2007 were born to unmarried mothers. That’s up from 34 percent only five years ago. When most Americans hear the expression “unmarried mother,” what nearly always comes to mind is a teenage girl. But that’s not what’s driving the recent increase. In 2007, only 23 percent of the out-of-wedlock births were to unmarried teenagers. The rest were to women in their 20s, and now increasingly, in their 30s. The increase among older women accounts for the six percentage point increase of the...

A newly built 13-storey residential building collapsed in Shanghai yesterday, killing one worker. The block of high-rise flats toppled onto its side in the muddy construction site raising concerns that building safety standards are being overlooked in favour of fast construction in China's rush to modernise. The building appeared to be almost complete with fitted windows and a finished, tiled facade. Other similar-looking blocks in the same property development were still standing nearby. Shoddy construction and the use of sub-standard materials is a concern in China's construction sector as the country scrambles to build out cities and finish massive infrastructure...

WASHINGTON, June 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama expressed deep concern on Sunday at the Honduran military's arrest and expulsion of President Manuel Zelaya from the country. "As the Organization of American States did on Friday, I call on all political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter," Obama said in a statement. "Any existing tensions and disputes must be resolved peacefully through dialogue free from any outside interference," he said. (Editing by Patrick Rucker)

Banner headline only.