Free Republic

The US Marines decided to nix the girly hats following the reports last week that the Corps was considering implementing unisex hats for men and women. The Wall Street Journal reported: Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos has put an end to the matter. “The survey was incorrect when published and has been pulled. The Marine Corps has zero intention of changing the male cover,” he said in a statement Friday. Changing the hat design has been a decade-long process of military boards, field trials and prototypes. A Marine spokesman said the impetus for a potential unisex design was simple:...

For reporters covering President Obama, there’s only one party in town that matters: The White House Holiday Party. It’s a rare opportunity to walk around parts of the White House and meet the president and first lady. In the past, the highlight of the event has been the chance to get your picture taken with the president in the receiving line.

CHICAGO – A federal judge dashed indicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's reality TV dream Tuesday, refusing to give the ousted Democrat permission to travel to Costa Rica to tape a show in the jungle. U.S. District Judge James Zagel refused to modify terms of Blagojevich's bail to allow him to leave the United States, saying he needs to remain in the country to help his attorneys formulate a strategy for his defense. The judge said that would give Blagojevich a better sense of the gravity of the legal problems he faces — including allegations he tried to auction off President...

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Thursday gave a sweeping endorsement to some of President Bush's tax cuts but rejected renewing others as all three major presidential candidates interrupted their campaigns to cast key votes on the budget. The chamber voted 52-47 to reject a move by Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., to extend Bush's tax cuts for middle- and higher-income taxpayers, investors and people inheriting businesses and big estates. That vote came immediately after the Senate gave a sweeping 99-1 tally to an amendment by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., endorsing cuts aimed at low-income workers, married couples and people with children....

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2005 – President Bush's national security adviser today dismissed critics who demand an immediate or early withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. "The advocates of these policies share a core belief that the war in Iraq is unwinnable and that America and the world will be better off by abandoning Iraq," Stephen J. Hadley said during remarks given at the Center for Strategic and International Studies here. "The president respectfully disagrees," Hadley said. "He believes that setting a timetable for withdrawal would send the wrong message to our men and women in uniform and in civilian service...

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration told Congress on Wednesday it opposes a bill to overhaul the way the United Nations works, citing a requirement the U.S. withhold dues if the organization fails to make changes. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Henry Hyde (news, bio, voting record), chairman of the House International Relations Committee, was to be debated by the House on Thursday. "We specifically cannot agree to the withholding provisions," Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said. "We are the founder, host country and leading contributor to the U.N." Withholding one-half of the U.S. dues "would deal a great blow to...

<p>WASHINGTON — A Wisconsin television station has declined to air a political ad that accuses President Bush of misleading the country about Iraq's weapons program, drawing the ire of the Democratic Party chief.</p> <p>The ads show Bush, in his State of the Union (search) address, making the now-disavowed statement about Saddam Hussein seeking uranium from Africa for a nuclear weapons program. The Democratic National Committee (search) paid about $20,000 to air the ads on stations in Madison, Wis., a strongly liberal college town.</p>