Free Republic

In his first act, it appears Pence submitted to Pelosi's direction to remove Representatives and Senators from the floor, where they might participate, to the gallery, where they cannot. The process enabled is thus is being conducted without a quorum present... and with the majority of Representatives and Senators denied the ability to participate. They are not present, because they have been excluded from any ability even to raise procedural issues. Scripted for purpose, certainly... but outside the law and the Constitution, denying participation, silencing the voices not just of the Representatives, but of those they represent. Whatever result they...

The state Senate today passed 10 gun control measures, including a "centerpiece" bill Senate President Stephen Sweeney touted as a national model. The bill (S2723) would overhaul the way the state issues firearms permits, embedding them on licenses instead of issuing them separately. The bill would create a system for instant background checks, while purchase permits would last four years instead of 90 days. It would also require gun buyers to show proof they’ve undergone safety training. “This is about common sense gun reform and moving forward in the State of New Jersey,” Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said after the vote. “It...

The California conference of entrepreneurs, scientists, celebs, and politicians highlights the environment, Rwanda, and war photos, among other topics In recent years, the TED conference has gained a reputation for blissfully big ideas buoyed by unrelenting optimism. So few conference goers were prepared for venture capitalist John Doerr to choke up with emotion as he kicked off the second day of talks on Mar. 9. "I'm scared," he told the audience, looking down at his 15-year-old daughter in the front row. "I don't think we're going to make it." Doerr issued a passionate call to action for everyone to make...

One of the first studies ever to examine the development of "modern racism" in children finds that by fourth grade, children are making decisions about fairness that take race into account. This finding, from researchers at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., is published in the July/August issue of the journal Child Development. Research shows that many adults make decisions about hiring, healthcare benefits, etc. that are biased against African Americans even while believing that all people should be treated equally, notes lead author Ann V. McGillicuddy-DeLisi, Ph.D., the Marshall R. Metzgar Professor of Psychology. "Nevertheless, under some circumstances adults discriminate...

Tuesday, October 28 Neighbor twice called police over pranksters By Dani Davies, Jane Musgrave and Pamela Pérez, Palm Beach Post Staff Writers Tuesday, October 28, 2003 Saturday wasn't the first time pranksters targeted Jay Levin. Three years ago, his suburban Boca Raton home was shot with paint balls that left holes in two front windows, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report. A year later, he reported a small hole in the bedroom window of his Woodbury Road house. Just after midnight Friday, Levin shot back. Mark Drewes, a Pope John Paul II High School student whose family...

Monday, October 27 Shooting death met with anger, prayers By Josh Mitchell, Cynthia Kopkowski and Thomas R. Collins, Palm Beach Post Staff Writers Monday, October 27, 2003 With hundreds of mourners surrounding them, Luciana and Gregory Drewes broke down in sobs at a church altar Sunday when a priest beseeched worshipers to pray for their dead teenage son. "I want him back," Luciana Drewes cried as she hugged family members at St. Jude Catholic Church in suburban Boca Raton. Sixteen-year-old Mark Andrew Drewes was shot dead Saturday during a midnight prank. He had rung the doorbell of Jay Steven Levin...

Sunday, October 26 Teen pulling prank killed by neighbor By Sarah Eisenhauer and Cynthia Kopkowski, Palm Beach Post Staff Writers Sunday, October 26, 2003 A birthday celebration capped off by an early-morning round of mischievous doorbell ringing ended in the death of a Boca Raton-area teenager early Saturday after a neighbor who believed his home was about to be burgled shot and killed the boy, deputies said. Mark Andrew Drewes, a popular Pope John Paul II High School sophomore who celebrated his 16th birthday at a party Friday night, died from a single gunshot wound at Delray Medical Center. The...