Free Republic

TORONTO -- Amid high security, the Miss Canada Pakistan pageant went off without a hitch in Toronto with a packed audience and a dozen nervous contestants -- defying detractors who claimed it dishonoured Islam. Thirteen women braved earlier religious protest as they took to the stage as contestants of the controversial beauty pageant Saturday night. Surrounded by security, about 500 people showed up at a Toronto banquet hall to watch the Miss Canada Pakistan Pageant that was labelled "a revolution" by organizers. "It's a great opportunity to get out there and speak on behalf of the Pakistani community," said contestant...

(OMED: Brad loves old motorcycles. See his article on this subject. This summer he took a brief sabbatical from his job in the electronics industry and headed for the track to experience competition. This is the letter he sent about it.)Took the bike to practice night at Castle Rock, Friday evening. She ran great, got lots of compliments on it -- many of the racers have heard of BSA but had never actually seen one on the track. I wasn't expecting so much attention over the bike and became slightly overwhelmed, so consequently was reduced to mumbling "thanks" and not...