Free Republic

WASHINGTON — The so-called "Beltway Madam" pleaded not guilty to federal racketeering and money laundering charges in federal court Friday. Prosecutors say Deborah Jean Palfrey, 50, ran a call-girl service in the Washington, D.C. area for 13 years, taking appointments from her California home and dispatching women to luxury hotels in Washington and Baltimore. They say the service promoted prostitution. Palfrey was released Friday on her own recognizance, but had her passport confiscated. She was officially booked, and had her picture and fingerprints taken by police. The judge also ordered Palfrey to wear an electronic monitoring device to track her...

Warnings for the next hurricane to hit the United States have already been issued -- for Washington, D.C. Taxpayers should keep an eye on the aftermath. After most disasters, Congress acts like a whirlwind to rush to the aid of victims, as lawmakers should. A few members of Congress are also quick to take advantage of the situation to tack money for their pet projects onto such bills. "Congress simply has no shame," warned Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste. "Knowing that this is most likely the last opportunity to bring home the bacon before the election, members...