Free Republic

The images of New Orleans are still fresh. Most of us are overwhelmed with a sense of rage and shame. Our government's failure renews feelings that haven't been part of the national conversation since the days of Jimmy Carter. Carter's administration was defined by helplessness in the face of rising gas prices, America held hostage in the Middle East and a tanking economy. President Bush now finds himself in almost the same position. Thirty years ago, Carter told the nation to turn down the thermostat and wear sweaters. President Bush said fill up your car only when you really need...

Hundreds of Austinites have had their say. Now, after a couple months of public forums, an independent consultant will give the city some direction about quality of life issues for African Americans. The city's demographer came up with an African-American Quality of Life Scorecard last month. The statistics showed a levels of disparity between blacks and other races in Austin. For example, Austin ranks 20th out of 30 major cities when in African American business ownership. "You see that church bench? I pray every morning," Lozina E. Stevens said, pointing to a pew near the entrance to her restaurant, Queen...

Do you agree with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to forbid execution in juvenile crime? Yes 71 (37%) No 119 (63%) Total Votes: 190

DALLAS -- Sexual assaults in state prisons are up sharply, with hundreds of inmates reporting that they were attacked by cellmates or corrections officers. State records show the number of reported sexual assaults in Texas prisons has increased by 160 percent -- from 234 in 2000 to 609 in 2004. The records show at least 129 Texas prisoners have alleged that they were raped or had sexual contact with corrections officers since 2000. Claims of inmate-on-inmate rape was even more frequent. State officials said the increase in reported assaults resulted from their vigilance in punishing offenders. However, inmate advocates said...

Did you find President Bush's second inaugural address inspiring? Yes 3 (19%) No 13 (81%) Total Votes: 16

If you were a juror of Spc. Charles Graner Jr.'s trial, he's accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib, how would you vote? Convict him of all charges. 6 (46%) Guilty of some of the charges. 3 (23%) He's not guilty, he was ordered. 4 (31%) Total Votes: 13

The White House has said the search for WMD in Iraq is over. With none found, has your opinion of the war changed? Yes. 3 (14%) No. 18 (86%) Not sure. 0 (0%) Total Votes: 21

Every time the federal government raises the terror alert level or there is a terrorist attack anywhere in the world, Austin Muslims hold their breath hoping it's not one of their own. "Our initial reaction is usually, not again,” Austin Muslim Zafar Sadiq said. "I'm always at the edge. I hope it's not a Muslim because it just gives a wrong image and it's the image, the image is getting tarnished,” Austin Muslim Nahid Khataw said. Organizations like the Islamic Society of North America are protecting the image...they are the first to publically denounce any and every act of terrorism....

Is the Islamic religion dangerous to world peace and if so, why? Yes. 87 (47%) No more than other religions. 84 (45%) No. 16 (9%) Total Votes: 187

Muslims say the only positive result of the Sept. 11, 2001, was the awareness it created of the Islamic identity in America. Now, more than ever, Muslims are taking civic participation more seriously to expose their non-Muslim neighbors to one of the five pillars of Islam -- charity. In the years after the terror attack, Austin's various religious communities strove to make Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday, a more inclusive one. "It is very important to show the community that we are able to blend in with the Western culture," Imam Safdar Razi, a local Muslim religious leader, said. Every...

Before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the word "Islamophobia" was not part of American vocabulary. Now, more than three years later, the fear of Muslims or their potential link to terrorism has permeated the American psyche. Austin Muslim Nahid Khataw would have described herself as shy and introverted in the past, but now she considers herself outgoing, even an activist. "I feel like I'm more confident now than I was before," she said. Khataw and her friends began spreading the word about Islam to clarify misconceptions. "I've done quite a bit, and I would like to see and go...

If you were on the Supreme Court, how would you vote on allowing Ten Commandments displays on government property? In favor of. 178 (65%) Against. 97 (35%) Total Votes: 275

Considering the recent House ethics committee criticisms of Tom DeLay, what do you think he should do? Resign from Congress. 330 (56%) Step down from his position as House Majority Leader. 127 (22%) Nothing different. 117 (20%) Other. 12 (2%) Total Votes: 586

Should the Federal Elections Commission start regulating 527 advocacy groups (ie: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, Moveon.org) that are running political advertisements but are not subject to federal campaign finance laws? Yes 22 (49%) No 23 (51%) Total Votes: 45

How do you feel about the 10-year-ban on assault weapons expiring today? I think it's appalling. 9 (47%) It's fine with me. 8 (42%) I don't care. 2 (11%) Total Votes: 19

Would you support an extention of the federal ban on assault weapons which will expire next week? Yes 124 (70%) No 52 (30%) Total Votes: 176 Comment: Name: * All submitted comments are subject to approval. Not all comments will be posted.

Activists used their bikes to raise awareness about Austin businesses they say profit from the war in Iraq. The Central Texas Anti-Racist Action (part of the Anti-Racist Action Network) and Austin Radical Spokes Council hosted the Anti-War Bike Rally through downtown Austin. Organizers say they want to remove criminal war profiteers from the Austin area. "We are building towards a campaign that will remove these corporations from doing business in this area of the country," activist Jerry Bellow said. Dozens of demonstrators rode through downtown for several hours and ended the bike tour at the State Capitol.

Austin Community Television received a handful of calls Wednesday night from viewers complaining about violent content. The beheading video of Nicholas Berg aired in its entirety continuously from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. during a live program on channel 10. George Wooley was the program's producer. He said he was trying to illustrate the divided nature of media. "Innocent civilians and Americans are being horribly treated and that needs to be shown to the American public. I don't know why the dominant media fails to do that, but they do, so I felt compelled to do it myself," he said....