Free Republic

In the wake of two high-profile building collapses last year, the City Council will pass a bill Thursday that overhauls the Department of Buildings’ inspection system by requiring the agency to investigate properties proactively.

DUNLAP, Iowa - Standing atop a stage in a livestock auction barn, Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton likened the experience to her quest to woo undecided voters in the closing days before Iowa's pivotal caucuses. "I've been to cattle barns before and sales before, in Arkansas, but I've never felt like I was the one that was being bid on," Clinton told a crowd in western Iowa. "I know you're going to inspect me. You can look inside my mouth if you want. I hope by the end of my time with you I can make the case for my candidacy...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA managers could decide Sunday whether a piece of fabric filler sticking out from thermal tiles on space shuttle Discovery's belly needs to be plucked out by astronauts during a spacewalk this week. The gap filler, which is cracked and about an inch long, remains one of the few concerns that needs resolving before mission managers give the green light for Discovery to return to Earth in over a week. The early consensus is that it probably won't pose problems during the shuttle's re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, but engineers pulled an all-nighter to recommend what, if...

During the election process, Iraqi police will provide security at the polling sites; Iraqi army troops will provide additional security in the vicinity. By U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel W. Bailey 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment FORWARD OPERATING BASE NORMANDY, Iraq, Aug. 31, 2005 — To ensure Iraqis in the Diyala Province are confident they can vote safely for the upcoming constitutional referendum and in the December national elections, Task Force Liberty soldiers are keeping a close eye on the polling stations to make sure everything runs smoothly. With the start of voter registration, U.S. soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored...

The US Air Force has launched a micro-satellite that could lead to an autonomous robotic mechanic that fixes satellites in orbit. The launch is the first of two such technology-demonstration satellites to lift off this week. The 138-kilogram XSS-11 - which stands for Experimental Spacecraft Systems 11 - blasted off at 0635 PDT (1435 GMT) on Monday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US, aboard a Minotaur rocket. “Nobody’s ever done anything like this in space,” says Vernon Baker, XSS-11 programme manager at the Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, US. He says developing an...

Former Bush aide set to inspect Iraq authority 28 minutes ago By Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington The US Defense Department is poised to appoint Stuart Bowen, a former counsel to President George W. Bush, as the new inspector-general for the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad. The appointment is likely to draw fire from Democrats uncomfortable with an appointment of an official who has close White House ties. Mr Bowen also held several legal positions on Mr Bush's staff when he was governor of Texas. It is understood Mr Bowen could take up the position as soon as next week....

These are two stories that my local news led off with yesterday morning and this morning. "Governor Brad Henry has had a string of successes. Newschannel 8 has found that Henry has accomplished everything he said he would. A lottery, Economic Reform, Getting elected, and farmers reform." Then this mornings headline.... "A new report out says that the Coalitions push for war may have been unfounded. Inspectors final reports say that there are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq." Later the second headline was revealed not to be 'new' but to be the report that Hans Blix issued before...

Yes. Restrictions on 'unrestricted access'. Fetters on 'unfettered access'. Iraq fooled Charlie Brown again, but not Bush. Rush reported this at 3:30, referring to an article I've yet to find. Hannity at 3:30 said he 'Almost drove off the road' when he heard Rush's find. There's an article out there somewhere that the 'unlimited inspection' offer is limited, to military bases. Inspections are, in fact, limited only to military bases, which makes them useless.