Free Republic

Shut Up, al-Jazeera The network should be put out of business. A while back, the television-radio network al-Jazeera considered offering $10,000 to anyone who could prove that the network had broadcast footage of an actual beheading by the insurgents. Although many in the region served by al-Jazeera remain adamant that such footage had been aired, al-Jazeera insisted that it had never shown the act itself. An ingenuous observer wondered why the suggested award was a mere $10,000. Inasmuch as the network knew that it was innocent of such a broadcast, why not offer a million dollars? What do you have...

“It’s Our Duty” Iraqis bravely vote By W. Thomas Smith Jr. When most Americans think of U.S. Marines, they think of things like courage and unflappable resolve. But today, when Marines in Iraq consider similar values, the image of an elderly grandmother walking slowly to her designated polling station — braving the threat of death and dismemberment — comes to mind. The Iraqi people did not just participate in national elections on Sunday. They humbled people the world over, and won for themselves both another step toward democracy and a newfound reputation as being among history's bravest of the brave....

World leaders praise Iraqi poll World leaders have praised the conduct of Iraq's first multi-party elections for more than 50 years. President Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair - the leaders of the two nations which led the invasion of Iraq - hailed them as a resounding success. And UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Iraqis should be encouraged to take control of their own future. After what officials said was a higher turnout than expected, the next few days will be spent counting votes. Preliminary results are expected in about six days, with a full result not due for...

COUNTDOWN TO DEMOCRACY Hopeful U.S. troops in Iraq brace for the unknown By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Despite the bombings, summary executions, and near daily reports of American troops killed in action, the countdown has begun toward true democracy in Iraq. In the days and hours prior that country's national elections, the insurgents are ramping up sporadic albeit deadly attacks in what U.S. military commanders see as futile attempts to derail Iraq's destiny. Elections will in fact be held. Coalition troops will be deployed in great strength. But the size of the turnout among Iraq's 14.27 million registered voters remains...

If Johnny Carson could have managed it, no doubt his death would have been a private affair. Who would have been invited to his memorial service? We don't know. That is the measure of his integrity as a private man. We don't even know how many of his ex-wives would have been invited, or would have come. I was his guest a half-dozen times, and was always handled with great courtesy. He once confided to a critic that I was the only guest he had ever been frightened of. I don't know what the circumstances of that odd situation were,...

"Only in - and from - America."

"A report says government officials are reviewing a page from their old playbook to help deal with Iraqi guerrillas: sending special forces to train "death squads" to help install order."

"Gunfire echoed through the main tsunami-hit city on Indonesia's Sumatra island Sunday, underscoring the threat to the scores of foreigner aid workers, while a tropical downpour lashed the airport in the provincial capital, turning a major hub for relief supplies into a muddy mess."