Free Republic

To honor an employee's son who was badly wounded in Iraq, IBM Corp. plans to give the U.S. military $45 million worth of Arabic-English translation technology that the Pentagon had been testing for possible purchase. The offer - made from the highest reaches of the company directly to President Bush - is so unusual that Defense Department and IBM lawyers have been scouring federal laws to make sure the government can accept the donation.

CHERRY TREE, Pa. — In this tiny community of clapboard houses nestled along the banks of a Pennsylvania river, many residents own guns for hunting or self-defense. But a local councilman, inspired by steps taken by an Idaho town, has proposed an ordinance that recommends all households keep the weapons and ammunition to ward off would-be burglars and prevent crime from creeping into the area.

On Tuesday to reporters, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen referred to Chicago Sun-Times columnist and Around the Horn contributor Jay Mariotti as a derogatory name for a homosexual. Angry with a recent column by Mariotti critical of Guillen's handling of recently demoted relief pitcher Sean Tracey and upset with Mariotti with columns of the past, Guillen said to reporters when referring to Mariotti before Tuesday's game with the Cardinals, "What a piece of [expletive] he is, [expletive] fag." "I don't have anything against those people. In my country, you call someone something like that and it is not the same...

HARRISBURG -- The state Senate gave final approval last night to legislation that would make a small reduction in the personal income tax rate and provide some tax relief for businesses, but that Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell has vowed to veto.

COLOGNE, Germany -- After nearly a week of being very low-key about their nationality, a group of young Catholics from the South Hills began flying the stars and stripes yesterday.

Bush alters line on leaks President now says anyone in administration who committed a crime would be dismissed Tuesday, July 19, 2005 By Ann McFeatters, Post-Gazette National Bureau WASHINGTON -- President Bush subtly shifted his language yesterday about punishing anyone working for him who may have leaked the name of a CIA agent, suggesting that his new standard for firing someone is whether an actual crime was committed. Ron Edmonds, Associated Press President Bush and Karl Rove, chief of staff. Click photo for larger image. Bush once said that if anyone in his administration leaked classified information, "appropriate action" would...