Free Republic

Ten polar bears have been spotted swimming in open water during an aerial survey as the peak of summer sea ice melting nears. Drowning polar bears has only been seen as a threat to the species in recent years as the extent of sea ice recedes to historic low levels. Last year, there was more open water than ever before recorded; this year's melt, while dramatic, won't reach the same extent as 2007.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that U.S. taxpayers will be footing the startup costs of a program to install satellite tracking technology on vehicles taking part in the Mexican Truck Demonstration Program. The announcement confirmed the U.S. government would "initially spend approximately $367,000 to outfit all trucks from the United States and Mexico that take part in the program." According to the administration, "the decision to require the installation of satellite tracking technology on trucks in the program was made after members of Congress expressed a desire to know whether participants are complying with federal safety and...

Bush's Terror Analysis: Erroneous and Exaggerated George Bush's latest "terrorism" speech on August 31, showed gross misperceptions of terrorism, its causes, exaggerations of its threats, and he continued to demonize Islam -- and all probably staged for reasons of domestic electoral politics, says Rami G. Khouri. BEIRUT -- There is something sad about a grown man playing children's make-believe war games in a tree-house in grandpa's back yard -- which is how George W. Bush came across Thursday night in his speech on the importance of winning the war in Iraq in the global battle against terrorism. Rarely does a...

Do you think the U.S. government was complicit in 9/11? No way 57% I'm suspicious but not sure 26% Yes 17%

Headlines: Los Angeles Times: Hunter Suffers Setback as Criticism of Cheney Grows The Washington Post: Cheney's Response A Concern In GOP The New York Times: Handling of Mishap Creates Strain in the White House The Boston Globe: Hunter shot by Cheney has a heart attack The Globe's story is particularly breathless, saying the "sudden turn" in Harry Whittington's condition left the White House "stunned" and his "prognosis difficult." Washington Post columnist David Ignatius opines that "arrogance of power is on display with the Bush administration," and astonishingly compares the Veep's hunting accident to Chappaquiddick and Watergate: "Nobody died at Armstrong...

A shooting star streaks across the sky during a meteor shower. Residents of the area near Madrid airport reported seeing a ball of fire explode and disintregrate in skies over the Spanish capital overnight, security services said.(AFP/NASA. Someone may want to link up to the Photo. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=1778&e=1&u=/050128/photos_od_afp/050128154706_51rancsg_photo0 The photo is clearly of a sword with a distinct hilt Though the artcle makes no mention other than it is an "Offbeat Photo." -- something strange

Man killed as bush crashes into home One man was killed and seven people were injured when a double-decker bus ploughed into the side of a bungalow. The elderly occupants of the house escaped uninjured after the vehicle careered into the property off Walker Street, Hull. A Humberside Police spokeswoman said the injured passengers were taken to Hull Royal Infirmary and treated for cuts and bruises. She added: "We were informed that a double-decker bus had gone into the side of a bungalow. "There are several casualties on the bus. "Two people in the bungalow, a husband and wife both...