Free Republic

BLOOMINGTON -- U.S. Army Col. Dirk Spanton lived with the possibility of dying every day during the 32 months he served with Special Forces in Iraq. The Bloomington man was shot at by insurgents, sent to minefields to disarm explosives and once had a rocket-propelled grenade come within feet of ending his life. After three tours of duty in the desert, the 50-year-old former ROTC instructor finally returned home to his wife and five children on Memorial Day. Within days, the family’s joy turned to sorrow as Spanton was hospitalized with a mysterious illness. Doctors later diagnosed him with cancer...

Continuation of Terri Schiavo daily March threads. Due to overwhelming participation we reached over 5000 posts in three days time!

Greer gives order

July 18, 2004 LIVES When One Is Enough By AMY RICHARDS as told to AMY BARRETT I grew up in a working-class family in Pennsylvania not knowing my father. I have never missed not having him. I firmly believe that, but for much of my life I felt that what I probably would have gained was economic security and with that societal security. Growing up with a single mother, I was always buying into the myth that I was going to be seduced in the back of a pickup truck and become pregnant when I was 16. I had friends...

Gay Marriages Continue After A.G. Decision PORTLAND - The American Civil Liberties Union may file its own lawsuit to uphold the right of same-sex couples to get married. ACLU's Executive Director David Fidanque told the media in a press conference not to be surprised. He says the organization is considering a variety of legal avenues. One is to sue for damages on behalf of couples who are being turned down in counties other than Multnomah County. He said that county officials are required by law to follow the Constitution. And so far, he says, all credible legal opinions have...