Free Republic

Why the Records are Being Publically Released I have reason to believe the disk - containing a full set of the telephone records for the 13 year operational history of “Pamela Martin & Associates” - already has been pirated. Despite our very best intentions to maintain control of the information, our efforts seemingly have been for naught. I am concerned about manipulation of the database with false and misleading information. Even though such falsifications can be refuted in time by comparing an altered copy with the original, my attorney, Mr. Sibley and I fear that in the intervening time period,...

In a bombshell development, WRKO-AM radio host Howie Carr is jumping ship to rival station WTKK-FM, where he’ll take over the prized morning-drive slot, sources tell the Herald. Carr, whose contract with WRKO-AM (680) expires in September, will host WTKK’s morning drive show solo and replaces shamed syndicated talk jock Don Imus, who lost his national show after the “nappy-headed hos” scandal. Carr inked a multi-year deal with WTKK (96.9), sources said. Carr could not be reached for comment and is vacationing in Florida. His move to WTKK pits him against disgraced, ex-House Speaker Tom Finneran, Carr’s longtime nemesis. Finneran’s...

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan may be the world's largest producer of heroin, but the government has taken the first step towards to a ban on smoking in public places. Local media said on Tuesday that the council of ministers had ordered a campaign through the media and mosques to inform the public that smoking in educational institutions, hospitals and government offices has been outlawed. The ban will be widened later to cover hotels and restaurants. The reports did not say how the government would monitor the ban or what penalties there might be for violators. There are no official figures...

Some of you may have seen the following: "FORT DIX, N.J. (AP) - Six foreign-born Muslims were arrested and accused Tuesday of plotting to attack Fort Dix and slaughter scores of U.S. soldiers - a scheme the FBI says was foiled when the men asked a store clerk to copy a video of them firing assault weapons and screaming about jihad." But how many of you read this far: "Authorities said there was no direct evidence connecting the men to any international terror organizations such as Al-Queda. But several of them said they were ready to kill and die "in...

They brought us four foulmouthed Colorado kids on South Park, spoofed the President in the sitcom That's My Bush! and annoyed Sean Penn with the movie Team America: World Police. Ahead of the March 22 start of South Park's 10th season on Comedy Central, Stone, 34, left, and Parker, 36, talked to TIME's James Poniewozik about celebs, politics and the innate badness of children. YOU GUYS ARE FAMOUS FOR HANDING IN EPISODES AT THE LAST MINUTE. HAVE YOU EVEN STARTED SEASON 10? MATT STONE We just started about two days ago. TREY PARKER We're trying to work, but with no...

The men’s room at Malden City Hall has earned high ratings on a Zagat-style, gay meet-up Web site, prompting city councilors Tuesday to call for the basement lavatories to be closed indefinitely. Mayor Richard Howard, however, overruled the decision Wednesday, and the bathrooms remain open. The Web site "Gay Universe" rates sites all over the U.S. for male-on-male sexual meet-ups, and the Massachusetts section lists some of the most public parks and beaches, prominent malls and department store bathrooms all over the Boston area. In addition to Malden City Hall, an unnamed public park on Fellsway East is named, along...

In 2001, LaPlante complained about his safety in prison, and he was placed under extensive lockup. Unhappy with that, he sued state officials in federal court. Among other complaints, he said he wasn't given unfettered access to the prison law library. He said he was mislabeled as a sex offender. He complained that officials intercepted ''sexually explicit" photographs mailed to him. He said a guard stole his shower shoes. Palmer & Dodge took the case, supposedly pro bono, though please read on. In fact, it didn't just take the case, it seemed to devote itself to it, assigning a partner,...

First post; I apologize in advance if it's not done properly. I know there are quite a few fans of Phil Hendrie (radio talk show host) here and thought you might like to know he just put up a blog devoted to politics. For those unfamiliar, Phil is a post-9/11 Democrat ideologically similar to Dennis Miller or perhaps the guys from South Park. I think he chose the URL to deliberately upset liberals: http://www.georgewbushisgod.com/

The Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved a drug for multiple sclerosis that has shown early evidence of being more effective than existing drugs. The drug, Tysabri, was developed by Biogen Idec and Elan and was called Antegren until the F.D.A. requested a name change to avoid confusion with other drugs. Some analysts predict annual sales will eventually surpass $2 billion. Doctors and analysts say the drug represents an advance but is far from a cure. Long-term data on safety and efficacy are still lacking. "The initial data suggests that it's better than the other drugs but it doesn't shut...