Free Republic

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch today released the deposition transcript of Ambassador Stephen D. Mull, executive secretary of the State Department from June 2010 to October 2012, who suggested that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton be issued a State Department BlackBerry, which would protect her identity and would also be subject to FOIA requests. The Mull transcript is available here. Amb. Mull now serves as the State Department’s lead coordinator for Iran nuclear implementation. Amb. Mull’s testimony and other discovery arises in a Judicial Watch Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit that seeks records about the controversial employment status...

In a rare departure from this year's intense political posturing over the soaring budget deficit, House leaders of both parties recently signaled that they are prepared to tackle a leading long-term liability — Social Security — by raising the retirement age. Politicians often talk in generalities about cutting the deficit, but discussing specifics about how Congress may curb the growth of the biggest and most popular programs such as Social Security and defense is controversial and usually taboo in an election year.

SAN DIEGO - A week after a half million people fled Southern California's wildfires, shelters began closing and residents were figuring out what to do next — even as firefighters kept a wary eye on the possibility of strong winds developing later in the week. There was a chance of moderate Santa Anas — the fierce, dry winds that fanned the flames last week — returning in the next seven days, forecasters said. "It's a little premature to be celebrating, that's for sure," California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Fred Daskoski said. "We're looking for full control within...

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Twenty years after Sweden alerted the world to the meltdown at Chernobyl, it aims to phase out nuclear power and end dependency on fossil fuels, putting the country in the vanguard of green energy policy. With soaring oil prices, rising demand, uncertain supply and the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, energy is in focus and the European Union is calling for coordinated policy. But the Nordic region -- united by history, a shared concern for the environment and a harsh climate which puts heavy demand on power -- is divided on energy, not least nuclear power....

<p>The purpose of the closed-door meeting at the Capitol, to be presided over by Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, was to give senators a chance to talk openly about the upcoming recall campaign and whether they should continue their unilateral support of the unpopular governor.</p>

<p>Supporters of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis on Monday plotted potential court challenges to a Republican-led recall campaign and prepared to take their counterattack public Tuesday.</p> <p>They said all options were open.</p> <p>"We're looking at everything in terms of who's handling petitions, what the people were being told, whether people who were circulating petitions were legally able to do so or not," said Nick Velasquez, spokesman for Taxpayers Against the Recall.</p>