Free Republic

(SNIP) Borling, who described himself Friday as a "Republican-leaning independent," praised Abboud as "a fiscal conservative and a social moderate" with "extraordinary judgment and intelligence." He also took a swipe at Manzullo, serving his eighth term by saying: "The nation suffers from career politicians who believe they are owed lifetime appointment." Borling faulted Manzullo for his key role in importing Alan Keyes from Maryland to carry the Illinois Republicans' banner in the 2004 U.S. Senate race, a move that Borling said "was and is an outrage." Borling, who supports abortion rights, said Manzullo exhibits a "lack of toleration and moderation...

Around 50 retired US diplomats have written to US President George Bush to complain about America's policy towards the Middle East. The letter is similar to one written by 52 former British diplomats to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair last week. The former US diplomats complained that President Bush's approach is losing the US "credibility, prestige and friends". They criticised what they say is Washington's unabashed support for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The American diplomats said they were deeply concerned by Mr Bush's endorsement last month of Mr Sharon's plan to withdraw unilaterally from Gaza. 'Great danger' They were...

Military retaliation from Baghdad was the main administration concern following Saturday's strike on Iraq. Yet U.S. officials should start thinking seriously about the question of retaliation through terror. It is quite possible, for example, that there was a connection between Saddam and recent attempts to blow up Manhattan. It is quite possible that New York's terror is Saddam's revenge. Speculation about the responsibility for last week's bombing plot and the earlier World Trade Center bombing has focused on Iran, Sudan, and the fundamentalist Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman. Much energy has been spent linking the terror to Islamic fundamentalism. Yet Saddam,...