Free Republic

Monday's immigration rallies prompted a counter-protest by Republican lawmakers upset that the state Legislature curtailed its activities for the day. Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman, wearing an American flag tie, hung a red-on-white "closed" sign on the Senate chamber's ornate front doors as a backdrop for a news conference where about 20 Republican lawmakers complained that Assembly and Senate floor sessions were canceled. "This is the people's house and we should be ready to work," said Assembly Minority Leader George Plescia, R-San Diego. Ackerman, R-Tustin, complained that a resolution the Senate approved last Thursday endorsing the rallies and marches "blurred...

Afghan freeze curtails operations of guerrillas, senior Taliban official says Sunday February 20, 6:19 PM Taliban attacks on American and Afghan troops have eased only because of harsh winter weather and will intensify with the thaw, a senior rebel leader said Sunday, even as a group of former Taliban embraced a U.S.-backed reconciliation drive. "Bad weather is the reason for the reduction in attacks. We will step up attacks as the weather changes," Mullah Obaidullah Akhund told The Associated Press. "The Taliban movement is active under the leadership of Mullah Mohammad Omar. And Taliban will fight till the last Talib...