Free Republic

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie irked NBC’s David Gregory — and probably won over more conservatives weary of the media in the process — by suggesting on “Meet the Press” that the host was acting as an advocate for Democrats in the way he spoke about taxes. Christie, a Republican known for his tell-it-like-it-is attitude, disagreed with Gregory’s characterization of the looming battle in Congress over the Bush years tax rate as “tax cuts.” Christie, making it known that he disagrees with how analysts say that, said: “This is maintaining the current tax policy in a weak economy, and what...

A move by Democrats to allocate about $1 billion from two voter initiatives on the November ballot has upset Republicans, who say it reneges on the deal that led to a massive infrastructure package going before voters this fall. An Assembly committee on Wednesday is scheduled to consider legislation by Sen. Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, that would specify funding for parks if the bond measures are approved by voters. Republicans had rejected spending on parks this spring during negotiations over a public works package that asks voters to approve money for transportation, levee repair, schools and affordable housing. That package, worth...

LOS ANGELES - Nicole Richie irritated a local family during taping of "The Simple Life" by asking an 11-year-old boy, in graphic language, if she looked attractive. The boy was playing basketball Wednesday in the driveway of his home. Richie, pushing a baby carriage, approached and questioned the youth about how she looked, using a profane word. Two camera operators and another crew taped the exchange. The boy's father refused the crew's request that he sign a release giving them the right to use the clip with his son. Instead he complained to the show's production company. "The Simple Life,"...

LONDON (AP) - French President Jacques Chirac's low opinion of British cuisine, which he reportedly dubbed the worst in Europe after Finland, has started a food fight with London and sparked the wrath of Britain's press. London's newspapers, which regularly take offense at the French, lashed out at Chirac's jokes on the nation's cuisine. "A man full of bile is not fit to pronounce on food," food critic Egon Ronay was quoted as saying in a front-page story in The Guardian. The French newspaper Liberation reported Monday that Chirac had made the insulting remarks about food in London during a...

WALDO, Fla. - Much like U.S. 301 splits this north Florida town down the middle, a billboard warning that the town is a speed trap has residents divided. In the latest salvo of an 8-year-old war with police Chief A. W. Smith, AAA has erected a black and yellow billboard on the highway between Waldo and Starke, northeast of Gainesville. "Speed Trap," the sign says in black block lettering inside a bright yellow diamond. Beside it, yellow on black, is the word "Waldo." Under that: "6 miles ahead." A similar billboard warns motorists about Lawtey, about 20 miles north of...

PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona's House speaker said he's worried about a nudist summer camp for teenagers and is urging an investigation. Jake Flake said he would encourage the Maricopa County Prosecutor's Office to investigate the camp at Shangri La Ranch, a clothing-optional resort just north of Phoenix. He said he's concerned about adults seeing the children and teens naked. "I have to think that they are breaking some laws somehow. Indecency or something," Flake told The Arizona Republic in Friday's editions. State law allows nudity on private property, even among minors with parental permission. About 15 youths, aged 11 through...

<p>SACRAMENTO - They commiserate about Gov. Gray Davis and his zealous fundraising the way veterans share war stories.</p> <p>Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steve Kirsch tells of being pressed for more money when he called Davis to push a bill to combat global warming.</p>