Free Republic

Existing home sales rose 4% for 2005 which is a 5th straight annual record! Although for December, sales dropped more than expected falling 5.7% from November with 2 builders warning of weaker demand. Sales continue at a record annual rate of 6.6 million units, economist had expected 6.87 million units and the outlook seems to be staging a soft landing “so far.” According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) December’s existing home sales was the lowest number of units since March, 2004. The median prices fell 1.9% vs. November to $211,000, which is still 10.5% above a year earlier....

It appears the Iraqi stock market (ISX), is down approximately 25% in 2005, as most would expect-- considering its investors have to endure daily acts of terrorism. However, rough estimates indicate the Iraqi market had doubled in the first half of 2004, sold off, and then finished up 30% for the year. So, this year's loss merely cancelled out last years gain. As one would imagine, it is very difficult to retrieve, live, accurate data, regarding the Iraqi exchange. However, despite all the violence and growing pains the exchange faces, the dedicated Iraqi brokers manage to keep the exchange running...

It appears the Iraqi stock market (ISX), is down approximately 25% in 2005, as most would expect-- considering its investors have to endure daily acts of terrorism. However, rough estimates indicate the Iraqi market had doubled in the first half of 2004, sold off, and then finished up 30% for the year. So, this years loss merely cancelled out last years gain. As one would imagine, it is very difficult to retrieve, live, accurate data, regarding the Iraqi exchange. However, despite all the violence and growing pains the exchange faces, the dedicated Iraqi brokers manage to keep the exchange running...

As frustrating the U.S. markets have been this year, I would never, NEVER consider shorting stocks one week before Thanksgiving, for the following reasons: A. It's stupid B. refer to A. I notice that certain bloggers remain blinded by pessimistic bearishness-- no matter how far the bulls horns pierce their brokerage accounts. I understand, as well as the next man, that the U.S. economy has problems, but it still is the BEST performing economy in the world. Furthermore, our markets are 20% undervalued compared to our European counterparts. So, do yourself a favor Roberto and take this advice, courtesy of...

Due to popular demand and some complaints, particularly from some fellow bloggers, HundredPercenter has revised it's study of blog traffic to include the first quarter of '05 (Jan.-March), instead of Nov.-April. Although, our last study was effective in pointing out how much traffic declined since the elections, it failed to illustrate how the blogosphere is performing on an operating basis, minus one big Presidential extravaganza. Also, after reading this, I felt it was my duty to debunk them. Again, HundredPercenter has completed a study analyzing monthly web traffic of 100 websites,big, small, political, non-political, conservative and liberal-- from January '05...

There will be no knee jerk republicanism from HundredPercenter. In front of a traitorous crowd, Laura Bush managed to embarrass herself, husband and the office of the President, and was cheered by the libs for doing it. In addition to that, her humorous belittling of a war time President gave America's serious enemies propaganda material. It's not a laughing matter. Please don't offer me the standard "lighten up- it was only a joke" excuse for what many boring--yet serious conservatives deem as poor conduct by the First Lady, especially during a time of war. You know damn straight that if...

All but 5 republicans in the U.S. Congress support Terri's right to live. Every major conservative talk radio host, ranging from Rush Limbaugh to Michael Savage, supports Terri. An overwhelming majority of conservative bloggers, from Ace to Wizbang, take the side of Terri's parents. It's amazing to see the activism amongst conservatives that was once thought to be reserved only for the liberals. Do not, for a second, dismiss the events that have shaken America in these past few weeks as religious activism - spearheaded by right to lifers. No- it's much more than that. Conservatives cry foul for Terri,...

The primary reason of government is to protect it's citizens. The argument of states rights and "it's a private matter," regarding Ms. Shindler-Schiavo, must be trumped by common sense. I, like the next man, want government out of my life. But the case of Terri Shindler's life vs. Michael Schiavo's feelings has to be addressed by our leaders- for it's outcome will set precedent. Why is everyone so comfortable with this man's (Schiavo) opinion- regarding Terri's life? As far as I am concerned- a blood relatives decision ( i.e., Father, Mother, Sister) should override a spouse's, who in many cases...

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JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, accused of leading an Al-Qaeda-linked group blamed for bombings across Asia, was jailed for two-and-a-half-years at the end of his second terrorism trial. AFP Photo Bashir was cleared of terrorism allegations but was jailed by a five-member panel of judges after being found guilty of involvement in a "sinister conspiracy" that led to the 2002 Bali bombings which killed 202 people. "The panel of judges decided that the defendant, Abu Bakar Bashir, has been legally and convincingly proven of engaging in a sinister conspiracy that led to fire and the death...

LEBANON DEMANDS FREEDOM (No Text, All Photos)

I think that Katherine Harris and Ken Blackwell deserve the death penalty for their actions as state election officials in the 2000 and 2004 elections. Current federal law does not permit the death penalty for their actions and Constitutional restrictions make it impossible to give them the electric chair by changing the law. However, I still believe that their actions in a morally sound legal system would see them on trial for their lives! Katherine Harris as the Republican Secretary of State in Florida during the 2000 elections seemed to be using her office to promote the election of George...

WASHINGTON -- Photo stickers of President Bush and the American flag placed in urinals in some Belgian ministry offices in Brussels right before the president's European tour have Rep. Vito Fossella mighty peeved. But the lawmaker's ire, expressed to the Belgian prime minister at the Belgian Embassy here, may have been misdirected. Although Fossella (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) accused the prime minister of responsibility for the stickers, Serge Wauthier, an embassy spokesman, noted that the Belgian government had condemned the stickers and their placement earlier this week, taking "a very clear position distancing itself from this initiative." Advertisement In his letter, addressed...

Update- HundredPercenter has learned that another male intern is going to step forward with charges of sexual harassment against New York democrat Councilman Vincent Gentile. The details are still somewhat murky, however, this story will break tonight on the 11:00 news on CBS.

HundredPercenter will no longer show pictures or provide links to the savage beheadings of American civilians. Although many advocate, as I have before, that it is necessary for Americans to see the images to understand what we are dealing with, I have seen enough. The fact of the matter is I know exactly what we are facing and I have decided to stop giving the verminous, pig-suckers what they want, attention. I refuse to serve as a conduit for sick, death worshipping bastards. These sub-human rats have no idea what they have coming to them. Perhaps they think we are...

HundredPercenter has learned from unimpeachable sources that NYC democrat Councilman Vincent Gentile is going to resign, due to sexual harassment allegations from a teenage male intern. Gentile, who is a freshman councilman from Brooklyn, NY, is rumored to announce his resignation within days. The backround of the accuser is unknown, however, sources tell us that his father is a NYC detective. This can get ugly.

Let's Talk About What is Important So Dan Rather is a slimy partisan and is willing to jeopardize an entire network(CBS), in order to help usher liberalism into the White House. Frankly, this is all old hat, different mudslinger. Their is a government(democrat)- media complex and it is an extremely dangerous, Orwellian circumstance for a republic like ours to be in. But, these issues are settled via elections. Let's talk about Iraq. Kerry has switched positions, yet again, and is now inadvertently demoralizing troops at war. He says that he would not have invaded Iraq. He says that Iraq is...

If anyone listened to Savage tonite, you know that he took his gloves off with O'reilly. It's true that Savage pretty much hates the world and says what most are afraid to even think about, but can he beat the great Blowhard in a real debate? I am 100% sure this will blow up next week. We will probably see Mike on the factor soon.

Ok, I have finally had enough with Mr. Switzerland, aka Bill O'reilly. I started getting annoyed when he made comments such as " I think Kerry is a good guy, I could sleep well at night if he were President." Then I became angry when he criticized the swift vets and refused to have an open discussion about the topic, until later on, when it was safe. But, now he is defending Dan Rather. This is the same Rather that interviewed Saddam before the war, referring to Saddam as 'Mr. President.' Dan Rather is a democratic operative who got busted,...

Apparently the Swift Vets' account of what John Kerry did to deserve a Silver Star was on the money. Kerry finishing off a fleeing, injured soldier earned him a Silver Star? The report featured below contradicts everything Kerry has said regarding the incident and should sink Kerry's boat for good. Assuming, of course, the documents are real.