Free Republic

A federal judge in Los Angeles is set to sentence Lori Drew this morning on misdemeanor convictions linked to the cyber-bullying of a teenager who committed suicide in Dardenne Prairie in 2006. The court's pre-sentence report recommends probation and a $5,000 fine. The defense is asking for probation without the fine. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the maximum of one year in prison on each count, run consecutively to make three years.

The acting chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has told members of a "diversity" committee who almost exclusively represent left-leaning organizations to tackle the status quo in America's broadcast industry and suggest "aggressive" solutions to what they see as problems. According to The O'Leary Report, published by author Brad O'Leary, author of "Shut Up, America!: The End of Free Speech," the FCC's "Diversity Committee," headed by "Fairness Doctrine," supporter Henry Rivera, has begun its work. The report said the committee made it clear at a meeting yesterday its members will force President Obama's supporters into positions of power within the...

Gay victims of violence would gain new federal protections under a revived and expanded hate crimes bill passed by the House. Conservatives strongly objected but lacked the votes to stop the legislation. The bill could provide a financial bonanza to state and local authorities, with federal grants to help pay for prosecution of hate crimes. The federal government could step in and prosecute if states requested it or declined to exercise their authority. A weaker bill died two years ago under a veto threat from President George W. Bush. But President Barack Obama urged support before the vote. Democratic Sen....

The House this afternoon passed an expanded hate crimes bill that would protect gay victims, and its chief sponsor in the Senate called for prompt final action. The measure passed 249-175 over the objections of conservatives, the Associated Press reports.