Free Republic

Bob Evans, dressed as an old world Santa Claus, makes his way across a slick, snow covered parking lot Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at the Maryland Christmas Show in Frederick, Md. at the Great Frederick Fair Grounds. The first real winter storm of the season swept up the East Coast on Friday, clogging roads with a daunting mixture of snow, sleet and slush. (AP Photo/Timothy Jacobsen) People walk down a snow covered sidewalk on New York's Fifth Avenue, December 5, 2003. The New York area is expected to get up to eight inches of snow in the next two...

THOUGHTS OF FINDING A PENNY You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about. Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was...

... And so do we.Germany, France won't pledge funds at Iraqi conference Iraqi leader warns of possible backlashMADRID, Spain (CNN) -- The level of Germany and France's participation in an international conference aimed at raising more funds to rebuild Iraq prompted reaction Thursday from a top Iraqi official, who warned of a possible backlash. Ayad Allawi, the current head of Iraq's U.S.-appointed governing council, said he hoped German and French officials would reconsider their decision not to boost their contributions beyond funds already pledged through the European Union. "As far as Germany and France are concerned, really, this was a...

After smacking the media around in his first book for being insufferably liberal, Bernard Goldberg is back with another hardback scolding. The title: "Arrogance." It's a safe bet that many of his ex-colleagues will find that a perfect description of the former CBS correspondent they view as a traitor. "There's no question the media elites salivate more when they're going after Republicans and conservatives," he writes, and they would probably admit it "after a few drinks."

<p>Mr. Chirac made clear that he did not intend to veto that resolution, unless it became "provocative." He explained, "We don't have the intention to oppose. If we oppose it, that would mean voting 'no,' that is to say, to use the veto. I am not in that mind-set at all."</p>

Insiders say a certain social hypothermia has developed between supermodel Christie Brinkley and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. (They deny it and proclaim deep mutual affection.) The scoop is that a year ago, Clinton agreed to speak at a benefit for Brinkley's charity, the Star Foundation, with the understanding a Hillary fund-raiser would precede the event -- but no fund-raiser took place. Although Clinton came, Brinkley reportedly felt she left too early. Now Brinkley and her husband, Peter Cook, have declined an invitation to join the board of an unrelated Clinton fund-raiser -- an act seen as a slap in the...

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - A leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday called President Bush an enemy of Islam because the U.S. government froze the assets of Hamas leaders in response to a suicide bombing of a bus in Jerusalem. Speaking to Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV, Abdel Aziz Rantisi called the action "a theft of Muslim money by the Americans" and said the frozen money doesn't belong to Hamas. "Hamas does not have any money in the U.S., Europe or even in the Arab states. President Bush has become Islam's biggest enemy," Rantisi said in the interview. On...

<p>August 5, 2003 -- WASHINGTON - Amid talk he's being urged to jump back into the presidential race, Al Gore has arranged to speak out on Iraq to a large anti-war group at New York University on Thursday. A Gore spokeswoman insisted, "Truly, honestly, he's not planning on getting back into the race," but the former vice president's speech to the organization MoveOn should only fuel the speculation.</p>

<p>Chirac, making a five-day visit to the French territory of Tahiti, said the atomic tests that generated international outrage helped establish France as a world power.</p> <p>"Without Polynesia, France would not be the great power that it is, capable of expressing in the concert of nations an autonomous, independent and respected position," he said.</p>

Grill something up for the 4th! Check out the guru of grilling, STEVEN RAICHLEN, president of BBQ University.The TEN COMMANDMENTS of grilling:1. BE ORGANIZED. Have everything you need for grilling - the food, marinade, basting sauce, seasonings, and equipment - on hand and at grillside before you start grilling. 2. GAUGE YOUR FUEL. There’s nothing worse than running out of charcoal or gas in the middle of grilling. When using charcoal, light enough to form a bed of glowing coals 3 inches larger on all sides than the surface area of the food you’re planning to cook. (A 221/2-inch...

    DO YOU KNOW? Clicking on an underlined plant name will link you to that cultivar&#8217;s entry in the Encyclopedia of Plants.   Favorite Roses   Choosing the RosesTo create the look she wanted in her East Hampton rose garden, we selected many old-fashioned and antique roses. Of the more than 700 hundred varieties she chose, most are old-timers, and the rest have the look, if not the pedigree. Through careful selection, Martha's roses bloom in waves from May to late October, producing blooms for fresh arrangements and potpourri.     Favorite Roses&#8216;Alchymist&#8217; has fragrant, old-fashioned double flowers...

<p>Hillary Rodham Clinton shows her softer side in her new book, taking some responsibility for "botching" health care reform and not being sensitive enough to people who thought she should be a traditional first lady.</p> <p>But the New York senator does not apologize for the causes she felt passionate about.</p>

Actor and comedian Bob Hope. Hope, who will turn 100 years old on May 29, 2003, was born with the name of Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, England on May 29, 1903 to an English father and a Welsh mother. Bob Hope's Biography

CLINTON SEX ROMP CAUGHT ON VIDEO! CLINTON Bill Clinton has been caught on videotape cheating on Hillary -- and the steamy sex romp could torpedo her political career! Now foes of Hillary are in an all-out race to obtain the tape and publicize it, an exclusive ENQUIRER investigation has discovered. The issue that goes on sale Friday reveals how Clinton was taped having sex in a pickup truck with a department store clerk, how Hillary's opponents plan to use the video to sabotage her political plans … and more. Published on: May 30, 2003

I enjoy watching "Fox and Friends" each morning on Fox News. No, I'm not completely crazy about every show, but I do enjoy it. This morning, however, one of my pet peeves received the last straw as I watched a clip of radio "personality" Mancow. I think Mancow is a nosebleed, and finally wrote friends@foxnews.com to let them know. I'd like to know what other Freepers think of the show. Do you like it? What are you least favorite aspects of the show? If you were the producer, how would you change this program? I'll start off with my...