Free Republic

With the recession deepening and numerous other world crises brewing, President-elect Barack Obama may be tempted to postpone any action on global warming until after his first year in office. This would be a huge mistake for a host of reasons, but most particularly because time is running out for mankind to take the needed actions to thwart the most disastrous effects of climate change.

washingtonpost.com 'Indispensable' but Hazy DestinyTownsend Campaign Phrase Stumps Some Listeners, Enthralls Others By Lori Montgomery Washington Post Staff WriterTuesday, May 7, 2002; Page B01 There's manifest destiny. There's ultimate destiny. There are dates and rendezvous with destiny. And as she launched her gubernatorial campaign on Sunday, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend introduced the state of Maryland to its "indispensable destiny." Frankly, quite a few people are still scratching their heads. "Indispensable. Indispensable," Democratic pollster Keith Haller muttered yesterday. "I'm stuck. I'm aflutter here. The words don't work for me." "I actually did scratch my head when she said it," said...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-guns01.story Gun-control advocates challenge Ehrlich Gubernatorial candidate asked to apologize for past votes By Tom Stuckey The Associated Press May 1, 2002, 3:55 PM EDT ANNAPOLIS -- Twenty-six victims of gun violence are asking Robert Ehrlich to apologize for past votes against bans on assault weapons and Saturday Night Specials. A letter to the Republican gubernatorial candidate released today also asked him to promise that, if elected governor, he would support legislation to require the licensing of Maryland handgun owners. "These victims of gun violence are outraged by Bob Ehrlich's terrible record on protecting people from gun violence," said Vincent...

FBI identifies agent in shooting http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/custom/guns/bal-md.ar.shoot09mar09.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dheadlines FBI identifies agent in shooting Man was wounded by mistake during search for robber By Gail Gibson, Michael James and Laura Barnhardt Sun Staff March 9, 2002 The FBI disclosed yesterday the identity of the agent who mistakenly shot an unarmed Pasadena man last week, describing the agent as a former U.S. Marine Corps captain and decorated Persian Gulf war veteran who has worked for the past four years on a highly trained FBI SWAT team. Special Agent Christopher Braga, 35, joined the bureau five years ago, after seven years with the Marines. ...

washingtonpost.com: Lawmaker Proposes Ban On Smoking In Md. Bars Lawmaker Proposes Ban On Smoking In Md. Bars Resistance Expected After Defeats in 2001 By Monte Reel Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, January 10, 2002; Page GZ22 A handful of strict smoking bans were debated -- and ultimately snuffed -- in several Maryland jurisdictions during 2001, but at least one proposal will get another chance this year: a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants statewide.Proponents say the proposal has been reintroduced as a way to protect the health of hospitality industry employees. Critics argue it's the latest example of ...

Trial in Shore killings to be moved When Francis M. Zito goes to trial in the deaths of an Eastern Shore police officer and a deputy sheriff, he will not be tried in Queen Anne's County, where he is accused of killing the officers, according to court documents filed yesterday. Attorneys for Zito filed a request for a change of venue in Queen Anne's County Circuit Court -- a petition that is automatically granted because the 41-year-old Centreville man could face the death penalty if convicted. Zito is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Feb. 13 shooting ...