Free Republic

Congress may be on the brink of passing unexpectedly sweeping new rules on ethics, but any claim that the culture of corruption is in retreat is ludicrous. Consider that with the forced exits of former Reps. Randy “Duke” Cunningham, Bob Ney and Tom DeLay, the one lawmaker who most exemplifies this debased culture happens to be the new Senate majority leader – Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat who is now arguably the nation's most powerful politician after President Bush. It's bad enough that for decades Reid has dispensed favors to companies and institutions from his home state that employs some...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- (Aug 19, 2005) -- The United States Marine Corps prides itself in tradition and uniformity despite the passage of time. While individual Marines share many similar traits, each also has a different background that proves to be a benefit to the unit. Lance Cpl. Darruse J. Stan, a native of Queens, N.Y., and originally from Poland, came to the United States when he was 16 years old to be with his mother. “My mother was here. She’s a citizen,” said Stan, who shares dual American and Polish citizenship, “I’m here by choice. It’s a...