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Scientists think they have resolved one of the most controversial environmental issues of the past decade: the curious case of the missing frogs' legs. Around the world, frogs are found with missing or misshaped limbs, a striking deformity that many researchers believe is caused by chemical pollution. However, tests on frogs and toads have revealed a more natural, benign cause. The deformed frogs are actually victims of the predatory habits of dragonfly nymphs, which eat the legs of tadpoles.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist is running for the U.S. Senate next year, and we wonder if one reason is that he doesn't want to be in Tallahassee when the next hurricane hits his state. His veto of a hurricane insurance reform bill last week all but guarantees a state disaster on top of any wrought by Mother Nature. The bill would have trimmed the cost of a state-run enterprise that insures homeowners against storm damage. The program has an $18 billion unfunded liability and has taxpayers on the line for tens of billions in property losses from the next major...

The Virginia Citizens Defense League is used to fighting for the right to carry guns. But now it's having to defend the right to wear stickers about carrying guns. The group says officials at the Richmond Coliseum recently attempted to stop members from handing out blaze-orange "Guns Save Lives" stickers before an appearance by radio and television talk-show host Glenn Beck. "It's bad enough they're trying to trample the Second Amendment. Then you come and attack the First," President Philip Van Cleave said, referring to the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of the right to bear arms and to free speech. Dolly...

When I've been asked whom I thought could be the individual to lead the Republican Party out of the wilderness, my answer has always been Mark Sanford. His vision for his party and his country -- traditional values and limited government -- has always been clear, consistent, and, in my view, correct. And he has always pursued that vision, as a congressman and as a governor, with a boldness and courage rare among politicians. The Cato Institute publishes a bi-annual report card of the nation's governors, ranking them according to fiscal responsibility. In the most recent report, three governors out...

The House Democratic leadership succeeded in passing the Waxman-Markey cap and trade bill by a 219-212 margin. In all, 44 Democrats voted against the bill, and 8 Republicans voted for it. It’s always interesting to examine the roll call on a close vote on an important issue—when members are voting for keeps and when some significant number of members cross party lines. And House roll call votes provide useful clues in gauging the legislation’s possible fate in the Senate. This bill was passed by the votes of one-third of the nation—the Northeast (New England, NY, NJ, DE, MD) and the...

Word For The Day, Monday, 6/29/09 In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day". adamantine; adj. 1. utterly unyielding or firm in attitude or opinion. Unyielding; inflexible: "If there is one dominant trait that emerges from this account, it is adamantine willpower" (Eugene Linden). 2. too hard to cut, break, or pierce. 3. like a diamond in luster. Etymology:1200–1250; ME < L adamantinus < Gk adamántinos. See adamant, -ine 1 Rules: Everyone must leave a post using the Word for the Day...

KEYSER, W.Va. — More than two years since leaving her prison cell, the woman who became the grinning face of the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal spends most of her days confined to the four walls of her home. Former Army reservist Lynndie England hasn't landed a job in numerous tries: When one restaurant manager considered hiring her, other employees threatened to quit. She doesn't like to travel: Strangers point and whisper, "That's her!" In fact, she doesn't leave the house much at all, limiting her outings mostly to grocery runs.

Andrew Young found the purported sex tape while he and his family were unpacking at their California home, the Daily News reported John Edwards and his former mistress Rielle Hunter once made a sex tape, the New York Daily News reported Sunday. The tape was discovered by former Edwards' aide Andrew Young, claims a Daily News source who saw Young's book proposal. [snip] Young reportedly found the purported sex tape while he and his family were unpacking at their California home, the Daily News reported.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Peter 2:1 Here is the Inspector General Reform bill that Sinator Obama co-sponsored. Guess he forgot about that pesky 30 day notification to congress to make sure the office isn’t politicized. "4/23/2008--Passed Senate amended. Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require Inspectors General (IGs) for designated federal entities to be appointed without...

Honor Him in All That You Do Today's Scripture "Remind people to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work" (Titus 3:1, AMP) Today's Word from Joel and Victoria In what ways do you honor God? A lot of times, people think “I go to church to honor God. I read my Bible to honor God. I sing and clap to honor God.” And yes, those are ways to honor God, but did you know that you honor God just as much when you get...

So, as it turns out, U.S. President Barack Obama is not "God" when it comes to dealing with the Islamic world after all. This, contrary to that gushingly inane description of him by Newsweek editor-at-large Evan Thomas, following Obama's June 4 speech in Cairo, seeking reconciliation with Muslims. Unfortunately, just eight days after giving that speech, Obama was confronted by Iran's deadly crushing of citizen protests over an election now widely seen both inside and outside Iran as hopelessly corrupt. This would be the same Iran Obama had just finished telling the world in Cairo he was prepared to work...

What a terrible thing to have lost one's mind. Or not to have a mind at all. How true that is. Former Vice-President Dan Quayle The initial anger at the passing of the economy-killing cap and trade legislation, has been replaced by sadness. The Wexler bill is the second time in recent months that the US Congress has passed a major piece of legislation without, reading it (the first was the stimulus bill). If you remember the 1,000+ page pokulus bill was passed just hours after it became available, impossible for those voting in favor to know what they were...

The Strictest Discipline "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell" —Matthew 5:30 Jesus did not say that everyone must cut off his right hand, but that "if your right hand causes you to sin" in your walk with Him, then it is better to "cut it off." There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you cannot do...

Stephanopoulos seems genuinely incredulous that Obama would flip on his pledge not to raise taxes on taxpayers earning less than $250K. One wonders if he is beginning to see the truth about Obama.

In parts one and two, we looked in detail at the ruling of the Supreme Court of the United States. In this third part, we will examine the dissenting opinions. Dissenting opinions hold no rule of law, but are oftentimes cited as persuasive authority by those who wish to change laws or file additional lawsuits. They can even be used by a future court to overturn a previous decision. While we won in this case and SCOTUS affirmed that the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is indeed an individual right and that the DC gun ban is unconstitutional, we...

Most of the cases regarding BHO’s lack of ability for office have been dismissed because of a lack of standing. Why cannot someone on trial for a federal crime bring a motion which argues the Federal Prosecutors bringing the criminal complaint have no authority since they were not appointed by someone who is qualified to be President. That would be a central fact in the case and I would believe could not be dismissed for lack of standing. What if every defendant involved in a Federal trial across the country raised this argument at the same time. The courts would...

I no longer subscribe to either of the following perceptions of our government: 1. The popular impression that we are a democracy where the will of the majority determines public policy. 2. The originally intended conception of American government as a constitutional republic consisting of representatives of the people whose votes reflect the will of their constituents, balanced with an intelligent, complete, and benevolent pursuit of the general welfare. We have neither of those. What we have, as evidenced by the passage of the 1500 page Cap and Trade bill which included "a 300 page amendment that was introduced in...

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett Invites You to Attend the Free Go Green Energy Conference Monday, June 29 in Frederick, MD 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Congressman Roscoe Bartlett says, “I want to help you learn how to make every day Earth Day at the free Go Green Energy Conference this Monday, June 29 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm in Frederick, Maryland. More than 500 people are registered to attend and see 85 indoor exhibitors, 18 outdoor exhibitors and learn from two dozen experts who will be speaking. I encourage homeowners, farmers and small business owners to attend the free Go...

After just five days, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is halfway to $400 million domestically, a box-office milestone only eight other movies have reached. If it climbs that high, the "Transformers" sequel will be by far the worst-reviewed movie ever to make the $400 million club. Critics and mainstream crowds often disagree, but "Revenge of the Fallen" sets a new standard for the gulf between what reviewers and mass audiences like.

Here is a forensic artist's drawing of what Michael Jackson would have looked like at age 45 (and presumably today) without all that plastic surgery and skin bleaching: What a difference!