Free Republic

I'm just numb from doing research, so I'm opening up the floor to take suggestions from FReepers. I hate to think that I'm going to be dropping $2K on a TV that has a life of 2 years (Samsung, Vizio, according to the interwebs). Looking for a 46" LCD with a matte screen (brightly lit room). Anyone actually happy with a brand/model? Mostly interested in comments about reliability, since I HATE shopping for stuff like this every couple of years.

Hola! Take the edge off, amigo... Señor Bush's speech tonight will either ignite his conservative base or tank his approval rating to the teens in the next liberally lop-sided mainstream poll. Knowing how crucial this is for George Bush, the future of the Republican Party, and the possibility that an Al Gore type who sees only made-up wars and universal healthcare in your future, here's a drinking game to take the stress off for you and all of your liberal and conservative friends while watching El Presidente's Address this evening.

October 25, 2004 Dear Associate: On November 2, America faces an election of immense importance. I don't normally endorse candidates but the enormity of this election is unlike any other. I urge you to vote for George Bush for President of the United States. Please consider my reasons. There are a vast number of issues that affect us. I ask that you forget Vietnam and Swift boat veteran testimonials. Forget the impressive debating skills of John Kerry. Forget Teresa Heinz Kerry's impetuous outbursts. Forget even more important issues such as welfare, nationalization of health care, Kerry's promising everything to everyone,...

Any Dallas area Freepers in the computer repair business? I have an old compaq that blew a capacitor last month. Got a new motherboard, but it still isn't booting up. Might be the hard drive. This is a second computer that I think the kids messed up. Have no confidence in tackling the job myself. I'm near Grand Prairie, so location is not much of a problem. Danke!

On a forthcoming cover, actors Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller and Snoop Dogg preen in their Starsky & Hutch best, while for a previous issue basketball player Kobe Bryant posed sitting on the bumper of his canary-yellow Lamborghini Murcielago. Then there's rapper Lil' Kim, who modeled for her cover in a minidress zipped down to her navel, her Mercedes-Benz G500 peeking through in the background. The magazine in question isn't Rolling Stone, People or even Maxim. It's Dub, a niche car periodical with a tiny paid circulation that has nevertheless become the bible of the urban automotive subculture devoted to 20-inch-plus...

Vulnerability behind auto boom Gong Zhengzheng 2004-05-11 06:25 China's auto industry is unquestionably witnessing a golden age as a result of unquenchable car demand from the increasingly wealthy population. Last year, new vehicle sales in China reached 4.5 million units including more than 2 million passenger cars making the nation the world's third-largest auto market after the United States and Japan. The nation, some experts believe, will surpass Japan to become the world's No 2 within the next two years. However, behind the boom lies vulnerability within the auto industry a lack of strong homegrown development capabilities and brands. In...