Free Republic

Drivers of bigger vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs are more likely to hit pedestrians while making turns than drivers of cars, according to a new study. The research released Thursday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety points to the increasing popularity of larger vehicles as a possible factor in rising pedestrian deaths on U.S. roads. The authors also questioned whether wider pillars holding up roofs of the larger vehicles make it harder for drivers to spot people walking near the corners of vehicles. “The link between these vehicle types and certain common pedestrian crashes points to another...

The well understood norm in the media is that people don't really want new information so much as they want confirmation of their own cherished views. Psychologists who study reactions to news find that information is processed by people with strong views in ways that reinforce their views. Those who work in the news-and-information media understand that point without the need for controlled experiments. Their base readership, viewership or listenership is generally confined to a like-minded audience. Liberals may tune in to Rush Limbaugh if they are committed political animals who want to know what to be outraged about from...

Indiana Demo chair raises threat of challenging GOP crossoversAssociated Press - April 3, 2008 5:04 PM ET INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana's state Democratic chairman says the party will challenge any long-time Republicans who try to use the state's open primary to create "mischief." Chairman Dan Parker says he's concerned that some Republicans might use the crossover interest in the presidential race between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton as an opportunity to target other Democrats lower on the May 6th ballot. Talk show host Rush Limbaugh has urged conservatives in open primary states to vote for Clinton. The advice is...