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WASHINGTON -- The rule of law is a scary thing. At least if you are a Senate Democrat seeking to block judicial nominees such as Miguel Estrada, who has been waiting for more than a year for a hearing. Verboten are nominees who believe judges should not make policy. And who do not favor abortion. Earlier this year Senate Judiciary Committee member Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) declared: "I don't want to see Roe vs. Wade overturned." Although she claimed that her position didn't represent a "litmus test," there's no better example of one. Not that Sen. Feinstein is alone in this...

Since September 11th, some congressional Democrats have imitated chameleons, altering their observable ideological coloration for tactical political advantage. Like their reptilian counterparts, the motivation has been simple: Survival. The transparent calculation has been that if they marched in lock- step with a popular Republican President on national and homeland security matters, while highlighting disagreements over domestic policy, Democrats would get credit for bipartisanship while denying the GOP the benefits of its most potent wartime appeal. Until now, the strategy has largely worked. Early on, President Bush showed his appreciation by publicly embracing Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle. Democrats have approved...

Here’s a developing story I wrote as a freelance piece. I offered it to the Brooklyn Center Sun-Post, but they turned it down, saying they prefer to do their own reporting and that they would pass the information on to their community reporter who will do her own story "if she deems it newsworthy." Therefore, I’m breaking it first here on Ether Zone…. BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn.— Brooklyn Center, Minn. mayoral candidate Mark Anderson sparked controversy over his campaign promise to de-fund Brooklyn Peacemaker Center, a local tough-love juvenile crime-fighting program. Anderson claimed someone associated with the Peacemakers threatened him with...

One bad terrorist gives the whole bunch a bad name:Have You Hugged A Terrorist, Today?

June 24 — President Bush today urged Palestinians to replace Yasser Arafat as their leader and adopt "a practicing democracy" leading to an independent state in three years. "Peace requires a new and different Palestinian leadership so that a Palestinian state can be born," the president said, unveiling his much-anticipated Middle East initiative. "I call on the Palestinian people to elect new leaders, leaders not compromised by terror." Bush said U.S. support for Palestinian statehood will come only after sweeping reform that would ease Israel's fears. The message from Bush to replace Arafat echoed long- time Israeli demands. It was...

<p>WASHINGTON (CNN) --The United States would support creation of an independent Palestinian state if the Palestinian people "elect new leaders, leaders not compromised by terror," President Bush said Monday.</p> <p>"For the sake of all humanity, things must change in the Middle East," Bush said.</p>

In a harsh rebuke to Yasser Arafat, President Bush said Monday the United States supported creating a provisional Palestinian state but only if there is a "new and different Palestinian leadership." Mr. Bush urged the Palestinians to replace Arafat as their leader and adopt "a practicing democracy" that could produce an independent state within three years. "Peace requires a new and different Palestinian leadership so that a Palestinian state can be born," Mr. Bush said at the White House. The president gave his speech in the Rose Garden, the same place he announced in April that his administration would, at...

JERUSALEM - With Israeli forces taking up semipermanent positions in a half-dozen Palestinian towns and cities, the clock of Middle East peacemaking has now turned firmly back to the mid-1990s, when Israel occupied much of the West Bank. President Bush was expected last night to lay out a proposal for a provisional Palestinian state, but loosening the death grip that binds Israelis and Palestinians is a monumental task. The conflict is more and more defined by the contrast between the two sides' official statements in favor of peace and their warmaking on the ground. Monday Israeli forces, for the third...

Young Drivers Rush For Licenses as July 1 Nears Speeding for Licenses June 21, 2002 Posted at: 4:00 p.m. CDT by Sean Bolen FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- As the deadline for the beginning of a new graduated system for driver's licenses approaches, several young people in Arkansas are rushing to get their licenses before July 1. Under the new Arkansas Graduated Licensing Law (Act 1694 of 2001), drivers aged 14 through 17 years of age will be issued licenses that restrict their driving privileges. For example, 14 and 15-year-olds will have to be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or...

Heroic Mother Saves Three Children June 24, 2002 Posted at: 4:45 p.m. by Sean Bolen BEAVER LAKE, Ark. -- A family is recovering Monday after their boat exploded on Beaver Lake over the weekend. Authorities say the three children that were on board are alive because of the heroic efforts of their mother. Paula Smith is recovering at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rogers with first and second degree burns to her lower body, while one of her other children was also burned when their 19-foot Bayliner motorboat became engulfed in flames. Authorities say it could have much worse had...

June 25, 2002 Powell Says He Warned Arafat to Shift Course or Be Left BehindBy TODD S. PURDUM ASHINGTON, June 24 — President Bush's public demand that Yasir Arafat be replaced as the Palestinian leader began in private 10 weeks ago in a small room in Mr. Arafat's besieged and battered headquarters in Ramallah, with tough talk from Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. "I told him the direction in which they were moving had to change in a very fundamental and strategic way, and we had to see that if he wanted the United States to be a partner...

June 25, 2002 Clear Terms, Murky FutureBy PATRICK E. TYLER ewsAnalysis WASHINGTON, June 24 — Since October, President Bush has been saying more explicitly than any previous president that he believes in the principle of a Palestinian state, one that could live side by side with Israel in peace and security. Today, however, after a week of renewed Palestinian suicide bombings, Mr. Bush declared the price of statehood for 4.5 million Palestinians, and it will be high: the removal of Yasir Arafat as the Palestinian leader. Once that occurs, and "with intensive effort by all," Mr. Bush said, an agreement...

June 25, 2002 A New Condition for Palestinians Is Set by BushBy ELISABETH BUMILLER and DAVID E. SANGER ASHINGTON, June 24 — President Bush told the Palestinian people today that they must replace Yasir Arafat as their leader before the United States will support an independent Palestinian state. Removal of Mr. Arafat was only one of several major changes that Mr. Bush demanded of the Palestinians in a blunt speech delivered in the Rose Garden this afternoon. He also called for an end to Palestinian terrorism, and for free elections and economic reforms to end corruption. His speech was tougher...

<p>BAGHDAD — Saddam Hussein is considering stepping down as the Iraqi head of state in favour of his younger son in an attempt to counter the growing threat to his regime from the Bush Administration.</p> <p>Arab diplomats in Baghdad said that the Iraqi leader may not seek re-election in the presidential vote due later this year but instead allow Qusay Hussein, his heir apparent, to become the country's leader.</p>

I know what DNC stands for and its Department for Nut CasesI know I put it in the wrong topic, this isn't humor but the truth about the DNC. They are the Department for Nut Cases and Department of Nut Cases. Even their parents can't stand them. I bet Holidays are hell for liberals going home to see the folks or coming up out of their basements. Ok OK it's humor or its truth about the dnc. You decide. LOL

By choosing to nominate APJ Abdul Kalam as its candidate for Presidential elections next month, the Vajpayee government has sent out an unambiguous message: It has no compunctions in making an appeal to crass militarism to advance its narrow parochial interests. And by going along with the nomination or co-sponsoring it, the bulk of India's Opposition parties – the Left alone stands out as the exception – have shown they lack the stomach to question jingoistic nationalism. Mr Kalam is India's "Missile Man", lionised and glorified as such. He was awarded the highest honour the Indian state gives – the...

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US President George W. Bush's address was greeted with satisfaction in Jerusalem last night, and a feeling that the country's diplomatic policy and intense lobbying efforts had borne fruit. Less than 30 minutes after Bush completed his speech, the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying, "Israel is a country that desires peace. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said on numerous occasions that when there is a complete cessation of terror, violence, and incitement and when the Palestinian Authority enacts genuine reforms, including new leadership at the top, such that a different Authority is created, then it will be possible...

American Airlines announced tonight that it will discontinue issuing paper tickets altogether over the next eighteen months. A substantial savings will result in the exclusive e-ticket environment. The Dallas Morning News will feature a full article on the announcement on Tuesday, June 25.