Free Republic

The central problem with the space station is that its builders keep changing the justification for its existence as they respond to the latest failures in the manned space program. Despite the protestations of some, cost is a critical issue for the international space station program, with over 60 billion dollars still to be committed in new funding allocations from the US, Europe, Japan and Russia -- all of whom have growing budget deficits. Meanwhile, the growing failure to actually do any significant amount of science on the station is bringing the critical debate of what the station is actually...

Has an increasing trend in the Sun's brightness contributed to global warming over the last few decades? One study published recently says it has but Judith Lean told a joint session of the UK/Ireland National Astronomy Meeting and Solar Physics Meeting in Dublin that a different study has come to the opposite conclusion when she tackled the controversial topic of the relationship between our climate and the Sun on Tuesday 8 April.

Click here to sign a virtual thank-you card to our armed forces.

A buddy of mine sent me this fake ad. My apologies if it has appeared already.

East Lansing's election system is drawing harsh criticism from MSU students, officials and residents. They say the process was disorganized, understaffed and slow. Critics also say there was some confusion Tuesday {Election Day} over voter registrations, which sent some voters home without casting ballots. "This was the biggest mess I have seen in East Lansing in 20 years," said Mark Grebner, a political consultant and succesful candidate for Ingham County Board of Commissioners. "A lot of people were a day late and a dollar short." City Clerk Susan Donnell said election problems stemmed from poor technology and voter ignorance about ...

Political Arena Mod for Quake 3

Chad Swiatecki, an MSU alumnus who's now a full-time reporter for The Flint Journal, called the opportunity to cover a recent campaign stop by Vice President Al Gore "a dream assignment." ... But when Swiatecki, who uses a wheelchair, was denied access to cover the event due to lack of accomodations for people with disabilities, his dream quickly became a rude awakening. (For rest of article, click here.)

In January, I introduced this column by looking at past erosion of American liberty. In this concluding installment, I will look at what the future holds for our political system. Politically, people are dividing into two distinct camps, only one of which can eventually triumph in the battle of the new millennium. These are the advocates of two diametrically opposed concepts not found on the traditional left-right political spectrum: freedom and force. (From here on in I will invoke Star Wars analogies in parentheses, partially for ease of comprehension and partially because I think it's fun.) Click here for full ...

AIKEN, S.C. (Reuters) - Arizona Sen. John McCain suggested there were two keys to winning a critical Republican pre-primary debate in South Carolina on Tuesday -- act presidential and take a nap.

Number of physicians in the U.S. : 700,000 Accidential deaths caused by physicians per year : 120,000 Accidental deaths per physician : 0.171 Number of gun owners in the U.S. : 80,000,000 Number of accidental gun deaths per year : 1,500 Accidental deaths per gun owner : 0.0000188 Therefore, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

Jason Maddox doesn't plan to fill out a census form this year. He's not impressed by the free magnets, brochures, and billboards meant to convince him that Michigan residents are worth about $50 billion in federal aid. Maddox alone is worth an estimated $5,000 in federal money over 10 years -- money that might go toward roads or schools or perhaps to help create jobs "I won't see it anyway," the 24-year-old Lansing man said. "I don't see it as important."

GRAND RAPIDS - It wasn't the big names that attracted the attention of the crowd at the Republican primary debate Monday in Grand Rapids. Instead, the party's underdogs grabbed the spotlight. "After the debate I was impressed by (Alan) Keyes," said Sarah Brouwer, a Calvin College special education freshman. "I think that he did the best job. ... We need someone who is aggressively going after the moral issues," Brouwer said. Click here for complete article.

LONDON (Reuters) - British pop star George Michael on Friday accused Sir Cliff Richard of exploiting religion in his ``vile'' chart-topping single ``Millennium Prayer.'' The much-criticized song, which marries the words of The Lord's Prayer to the music of ``Auld Lang Syne,'' went to No. 1 in the British charts after Christians were urged to buy it. Richard -- at 59 known as the ``Peter Pan of pop'' -- was ''always taking his hat off to himself, telling you how many hits he's had,'' Michael said in a rare interview with London's Capital Radio. ``Yes, an absolutely great achievement, but ...

Wendy Miller doesn't want to waste her time when the Census 2000 questionnaire lands in her north Lansing mailbox in March. She's not swayed by the federal dollars the state could lose. Or a lost chance at more funding for education, roads, and hospitals in Lansing. "We don't ever see any of it," said Miller, 28, a fast-food restaurant employee. "It's not going to make a difference. It's all politics." Click here for complete article.

There is a small article in Newsweek about the Iowa straw poll. I find it interesting that eight of the nine "major" candidates were mentioned in the text of the article. All but Alan Keyes. In addition, the picture of all candidates on the stage (save John McCain, of course) shows Keyes blocked by Bush. In my mind, it is as if they are trying to just ignore the fact he was there. I realize he came in seventh place, but everyone else rated some mention... Just an observation for today. Mike Davis

NOW THAT THE MASS SHOOTINGS in Atlanta have led to predictable demands for more federal gun control laws, let us at least make an effort to think rationally. Is the way to prevent more tragedies like the one in Atlanta to pass laws ensuring that virtually all Americans will be as helpless as those who were shot and killed by Matt Barton? Does that make any sense? Go to Jewish World Review for the rest of the article.

Finally someone will get what they deserve. Name your cliche: "Paybacks are hell." "What goes around comes around." Either one applies here. Linda Tripp will be indicted for illegally taping her phone conversation with Monica Lewinsky, six months after the Lewinsky scandal apparently ended. Now it appears the Starr witness in this whole affair will be facing jail time for her actions. Book agent Lucianne Goldberg, who testified in Independed Counsel Kenneth Starr's investigation last November, said she urged Tripp to tape her conversations. Goldberg called her a "loyal government whistle-blower." I don't believe that for a second. Tripp admitted ...