Free Republic

CRAWFORD, Texas - Anti-war demonstrators said Sunday they hope the end of President Bush's ranch vacation doesn't hurt attendance at their protest during the rest of the summer. They urged opponents of the war in Iraq to come to the five-acre campsite purchased last month by Cindy Sheehan, who resumed her protest a week ago. Sheehan's first trek to Crawford one year ago during Bush's monthlong vacation turned into a 26-day vigil that drew more than 10,000 people and spurred counter-protests by Bush supporters. A few hundred war opponents returned at Thanksgiving, when Bush was at his ranch, and again...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As an economist, Beth Armington, 41, knows the value of saving money for the future, and she puts money aside from every paycheck for retirement. But as a divorced mother of two a week before Christmas, she's thrilled with the sale at Hecht's department store. "Hecht's is practically giving it away," she said as she browsed the upscale store. "I can buy five different presents for my kids but spend only half as much as last year." With small children, a "huge mortgage" and a nanny to pay for, Armington echoes the sentiments of many Americans fighting...