Free Republic

ALBANY — Members of Albany County Young Democrats are "shocked and disturbed" at the revelation that the former president of the organization, Benjamin Jakes-Johnson, spent almost four years facing child pornography charges while rising through the ranks of the local group, as well as the party's state and national affiliates. Jakes-Johnson, 29, received a 57-month sentence in U.S. District Court Thursday after pleading guilty last October to one count of possessing child pornography. According to the office of the U.S. Attorney for New York's Northern District, Jakes-Johnson's computer and several discs were seized in October 2005 at his parents' house...

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea said Thursday that a free trade agreement with the U.S. stands as is, resolving to resist possible calls to redo the deal by the new administration of President-elect Barack Obama. "I repeat that there will be no renegotiation, whether it's automobiles or any other issue," said Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon, according to a transcript of an interview with local radio network KBS. "We will respond by sticking to such a stance."Kim's comments came one day after his deputy Lee Hye-min told reporters that reconsidering the already signed agreement would be like opening a...