Free Republic

I went through a period where I downloaded some pornography. None of it was illegeal, but I want it gone. I mean GONE. From what I have read, you can think you have deleted something, but the remnants of that file are still there. Advice?

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2005 – Families of deployed National Guard and Reserve members face challenges beyond those of active-duty families, and a strong family support network stands behind them to help through those difficult days, the National Guard Bureau chief said. "The challenges are considerable," Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum said during a joint interview here with The Pentagon Channel and the American Forces Press Service. For one thing, Guard and Reserve call-ups extend considerably beyond the Army's standard one-year deployment cycles, Blum pointed out. "One year of boots on the ground is not one year for a National Guard...

I'm trying to get into the Christian rock scene, but I'm totally new to it and really don't have any idea which are the major bands. Can someone give me a primer? I'm also curious which major country singers are especially Christian. Thanks.

I just received my most recent monthly utility bill, and the sewer charge went from virtually nothing to $154.90. The water charge changed almost none at all. About $40. I've been trying to figure this out. "They" are supposed to come out and look at things Monday, and I would like to have some idea what I am talking about when I talk with them. The man I spoke with on on the phone suggested that maybe one of of my toilets is leaking. That's not impossible, but I would think that would be reflected in the water charge as...

I'm posting this for any insight or expertise anyone might have regarding obligations/responsibilities of a mortgage committment letter, as applies to the following situation. A good friend of ours is selling her home, and as of this afternoon, she has a big problem..

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Texas' attorney general on Thursday pledged his full cooperation with Mexican law enforcement to combat drug violence that has killed hundreds south of the U.S. border this year. Attorney General Greg Abbott met with top Mexican officials in Mexico City to explore ways to stop the violence between feuding drug gangs that has killed more than 170 people in towns south of Texas this year. "Dozens of people are dead because this drug war has spiraled out of control," Abbott told reporters. "If we fight crime only on one side of the border, the criminals simply...

OK, Gunny needs help. No, seriously. I am researching Scientology and just read that practitioners believe in several gods. Is this true? If it is, what are their names? Their powers? Has anyone had experience in "deprogramming" a victim of Scientology? Thanks.

The little girl next door will be turning 11 next month. I would like to get her a birthday present. As of now, I am stuck. Stuck as the proverbial bug in the rug. It should not be anything inappropriate or inappropriately expensive. She can handle tech stuff, but I'm not sure that's the best way to go. Any suggestions?

My husband bought me a dachshund last year for my birthday. When we brought him home (at the time)we lived in a very rural, VERY quiet neighborhood. We are now living in Columbus on a very busy side of town. Hence the increase in traffic, noise, people, and everything else that goes along with it. Well our dog barks for hours at the smallest noise. I hate trash day....when the trash truck shows up our dog is in full blown hysterics. What can I do about this? We have tried training (it didnt work), taking him outside when the the...

I and a colleague are in the process of setting up a non-profit political action/advocacy group in Massachusetts. We have a specific focus which I will not go into here at the moment, but the project timeline is tied to the next 15 months between now and the '06 elections. I would like to know what Freeper talents might be available out there to help us in our efforts. I am hoping that if you get juiced about this project, which I think a number of you will, you might be willing to help us by providing information and helpful...

I live in the Fl Keys, but at this moment I am 7000 feet above sea level in central Mexico. Looking for indut from any about Hurricane Dennis, input from Keys in particular. I am in an internet cafe in San Miguel de Allende Mexico, have seen NOA web site, but looking for local info from Keys regarding Dennis. My wife´s daughter is staying at our house in the Thank you. Will check back for response in a bit.

Dean decries GOP's "culture of corruption" By SCOTT SHEPARD Cox News Service Tuesday, July 05, 2005 WASHINGTON — Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is trying to get voters to hold the Republican Party responsible for the "culture of corruption" he sees in Washington, but Dean is getting virtually no help from fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives. In the year since then-Rep. Chris Bell, D-Texas, filed the complaint that triggered the current ethics investigation of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, not one Democrat has initiated another complaint despite the pleas of outside watchdog groups. House Democrats are...

Rush just a little while ago was talking about Africa and the effort to fix it. Talked about the live 8 concerts and how they got lobster and stake and got goodie bags with ipods etc. These kinds of things do nothing but help celebs feel better about them selves. There they are yelling at us to give money while they themselves are hording their money, why don't they give their money to Africa. Over the last 40 years the US has give over 500 billion dollars to Africa and what is there to show for that expenditure, nothing. Its...

So, it appears as though "house centipedes" have decided to reside in our house. I have two questions. 1) What is the best way to get rid of the little terrorists? 2) How do I prevent my wife from freaking out every time she sees one? Thank you for your assistance.

Help !!!! My wife and I are taking my 15 year old daughter out of the public school system, and home school her. Our school system $ucks, and I'm sick of fearing for her safety every day. I know there are a lot of home schoolers here on FR, and I would love any info, advice, insight, or comments from those in the know. We are in Tennessee (Nashville).

July 2, 2005Release Number: 05-07-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TROOPS FIND WEAPONS CACHE NEAR AR RAMADI CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division and Coalition forces from the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, uncovered seven weapons caches, a car-bomb factory and a roadside bomb making factory late afternoon on June 30 in the Industrial area, northeast of the Saddam Mosque during a patrol to disrupt terrorist activity last night. This was the first patrol the Iraqi Soldiers conducted with Coalition forces in the area. The Iraqi Soldiers were tipped...

Today I was going to make a backup so I took a CD-RW, put it in the CD Drive, and copied the folder I wanted to write to the CD. When I clicked the 'copy this folder to CD' button it launched the wizard like normal. Then I named it, but then on the next box it said 'There is no disk in drive. Please insert a writeable disk into Drive D:\'I don't know what the deal is. The computer read the disk, I could view folders on the disk, but it won't write CDs. Anyone have a clue what's...

Here's the story:I came into what appears to be a pretty good deal. It is a Marshall speaker cabinet holding four 12" speakers. It is a top (slanted) cabinet. The tag on the front lists it as a JCM800 Lead Series. The tolex has a few tears and there is a small tear in the speaker grille. It looks like it has seen some life on the road but it is solid.I purchased this cabinet for $200. I do not currently possess a head with which to play it through. Not out here in Florida anyways.Now here is where I...

I have an opportunity to get a good price on some hardwood flooring. My cabinet man is going to add it to his order at a lumber mill. But I need to give him the order in board feet. I don't know how to convert square feet to board feet. I've searched around and found some formulas, but I'm doing something wrong because I'm getting different answers. If there's a "wood" Freeper out there I sure would appreciate your help! Total area to be covered = 215 square feet. With 10% waste allowance, let's say 240 sq ft. The planks...

I been wrestling with this for a long, long time I could never play a few games no matter what I had tried updates for DX-9, Security pkg 2 etc than I found out I was harboring vicious wicked parasites that come from the mid-eastern terrorist/insurgents! I SUSGGEST THAT PC USERS SHOULD CHECK OFTEN, OR EVEN DAILY, THEIR SYSTEM START UP CONFIGERATIONS I have learned when you go to RUN you can check many areas maybe you will get their ADDRESS before they mess that up too! This is all done in RUN 1- System start-up...MSCONFIG This will show the...