Free Republic

Examples of lawmakers who have sponsored earmarks for private companies and received campaign contributions from them and, in some cases, their lobbyists: _Rep. David Hobson, R-Ohio, a member of the House defense appropriations subcommittee, obtained a $2.4 million earmark last year for the Greentree Group of Beavercreek, Ohio, for a digital information sharing system. Greentree Group executives, their families and consultants have donated $43,350 to Hobson since 2000, reports The Columbus Dispatch. _Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Ind., a member of House defense appropriations subcommittee, sponsored a $2 million earmark to 21st Century Systems last year for a virtual fence demonstration project....

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2007 – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors paused May 1 to recognize those who help make their program possible during the TAPS 10th Annual Honor Guard Appreciation Luncheon here. Actor Ben Stein speaks at the 10th Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Annual Honor Guard Appreciation Luncheon in Washington on May 1. Stein, who said he’s “humbly grateful” for servicemembers, has spoken extensively on behalf of TAPS and said he plans to continue to do so. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “The Honor Guard Luncheon is our opportunity once a...

ATHENS, Greece - A well-preserved underground tomb belonging to a prominent Roman-era family has been unearthed on the island of Crete, archaeologists said Wednesday. The large first or second century A.D. structure beside one of the main gates to the walled city of Aptera was looted during Christian times, archaeologist Vanna Niniou-Kindeli said. It still yielded a wealth of finds, including 10-inch pottery statuettes of the ancient Greek love deity Eros, glass and pottery vases and lamps. Built of large stone blocks, the grave is reached by a flight of steps. It has an antechamber and a main room measuring...

... Many of the biggest Boston 2004 donors are huge Boston presences, in addition to being Democratic Party benefactors. That list includes Fidelity Investments, FleetBoston Financial, John Hancock Financial Services, Liberty Mutual, Raytheon Corp., and State Street Corp., all of which have given at least $1 million to the host committee, in addition to at least $20,000 in PAC and soft money donations to Democrats in recent years. Smaller convention donors include locally prominent developers who often have projects requiring city approval, including Equity Office Properties Trust, Millennium Properties, Spaulding & Slye Colliers, Suffolk Construction, Cashman Construction, and Shawmut Design...