Free Republic

NEW YORK A not especially eventful press briefing at the White House today turned rancorous with NBC's David Gregory telling Press Secretary Tony Snow, "Don't point your finger at me," and Snow accusing the newsman of being "rude" and delivering Democratic talking points. Earlier, speaking to reporters, Snow, continuing the administration's media focus on the war on terror, accused "some in the Democratic Party" of saying "we shouldn't fight the war" and "we shouldn't apprehend al-Qaeda" or even "question al-Qaeda." Snow got into a tussle with Gregory after the NBC journalist told him, in a lengthy remark, that the public...

Clerk thwarts armed robbery Frail-looking gunman begs for oxygen tank after scuffle, police say By Andale Gross Beacon Journal staff writer An oxygen-dependent man who tried to rob a convenience store Wednesday had to beg for his portable breathing tank after an aggressive clerk tackled him.William Basil Armstrong is accused of entering the Clark Mart at 2115 East Ave. in Kenmore about 10:30 a.m. and ordering the clerk to fill a bag with money. Akron police say Armstrong, 56, was armed with a loaded .40-caliber handgun.The clerk didn't flinch when the frail-looking robber flashed a gun tucked at his hip.``I...

Who Invented the 'B!tch Slap?'Lexicographer Shows How Some Four-Letter Words Are More than Insults By Andrew Chang June 27 — As part of his job, Jesse Sheidlower has pondered what it means to "whack" someone, and spent time considering where "blunts" might have come from. At other times, "b!tch-slaps" have been the focus of his attention. He's best known for the attention he's given to the ultimate four-letter word. The F-word. But Sheidlower is no gangster-philosopher, or mafia wise man. The 33-year-old, given to suits and complete sentences, is the North American editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, the 20-volume...