Free Republic

Russian-backed separatists in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson said Ukrainian forces had bombarded government buildings on Friday, killing at least one person and wounding others. Kirill Stremousov, the Russian-installed deputy head of the Kherson region, told Russian state TV that one wing of the administration's building in Kherson had been practically destroyed in the strike, which he said involved U.S.-made HIMARS rockets. Separately, the prosecutor general of the Russian-backed self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) in eastern Ukraine and his deputy were killed by a bomb blast at their offices, Russian news agencies reported, citing Russian-backed officials and emergency services....

The Biden administration has just announced yet another new weapons package for Ukraine worth $600 million, which now brings to total US military aid pledged since the start of the conflict to $15.1 billion. Crucially, in this case the arms are being sent under the presidential drawdown authority, which allows the White House to take arms directly from US military stockpiles for use by foreign allied forces. The administration confirmed it was the 21st time it drew from Pentagon stockpiles. The Guardian details, “Joe Biden authorized the latest assistance using his Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to authorize...

To hell with a million man march. We need a TEN MILLION man march!! Fill the mall and every street in DC!! Time to raise the pucker factor in DC until no one in congress can even raise up from his chair. When the people fear their government there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, we have Liberty!! Tea Party leaders, right-wing groups, 2nd amendment groups, pro-life religious leaders, Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Levin: Gentlemen start your engines!! It's time to unite and turnout freedom loving Americans of every political stripe to run the statist bums out and restore...

Open Space Authority to Return Assessment Funds San Jose, CA, May 29, 2009 – Property owners who have property within the jurisdiction of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority will soon be able to claim refunds of an assessment charged by the Authority on their real estate tax bills between 2002 and 2008. In 2001, the Authority approved a $20 annual assessment on single-family homes located within the Authority’s territory to help purchase and maintain open space and parkland. Higher amounts were charged for multi-family and commercial properties. The Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and...

Dear IRS, I'm sorry to inform you that I'm not going to be able to pay the taxes owed on April 15th, but all is not lost. I paid these taxes, accounts receivable tax, building permit tax, CDL tax, corporate income tax, dog license tax, federal income tax, unemployment tax, gas tax, hunting license tax, fishing license tax, waterfowl stamp tax, inheritance tax, inventory tax, liquor tax, luxury tax, Medicare tax, city tax, school and county property tax up to 33% the last four years. Real estate tax, Social Security tax, road use tax, toll road tax, state and city...

To the dismay of gun owners, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is now charging $54 to return firearms seized during arrests or searches - even if the gun was legally owned and not used in a crime. The Los Angeles County Supervisors recently approved the fee, which they say would help recover $27,000 the county spends each year storing guns. People recovering stolen firearms, however, would not have to pay, according to county officials. Sam Paredes, executive director of the Gun Owners of California, said Los Angeles County was "taking full advantage of state law in order to screw...

SACRAMENTO - Assemblywoman Sharon Runner encourages taxpayers, after paying what she deems an illegal car tax imposed by Gov. Gray Davis, to apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a refund. The refund form, available on Runner's Web site, www.assembly.ca.gov/runner, will allow taxpayers to pay the increase and then request a refund from the DMV, she said. The refund form also will aid in a lawsuit against the Davis car tax, Runner said. It includes a letter from Runner and instructions regarding how to complete the refund form. The assemblywoman advises taxpayers to keep a copy for their personal...