Free Republic

The United States will allocate $US10 million ($13 million) dollars for the Lebanese army so that it can move into the border zone near Israel currently controlled by the Hezbollah militia, the State Department said overnight. The aid is meant to help Lebanon modernise its force by purchasing spare parts for armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles needed to patrol the zone, as well communications equipment, Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman said. Congress must still approve the assistance, which is aimed at helping Lebanon work with an international force for the zone backed Friday in Washington by US...

"In many American cities, local politicians spend the winter months helping clear away snow. But Southern California is different. Here, elected officials, sometimes using taxpayer money, bring the white stuff in. Man-made snow has already come to Pacoima, Long Beach, downtown Los Angeles and many places in between this year. (A version of the stuff — hail — fell for free in Watts last month, but cost a bundle to clean up.) And in the coming weeks, it is scheduled for several other locales, including a patch in Exposition Park where a representative from Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn's...

How would you like Uncle Sam to help you buy a digital television? Would a $500 government rebate be enough to get you into the store? A TV industry analyst believes that, for many Americans, it would, and that tax credits may be the very best way to solve the chicken-and-egg problem that has stymied acceptance of next-generation digital TV. YOU MAY THINK it odd that the federal government would even consider paying for a hunk of your new TV set. After all, it's not like the government doesn't have other things to do with the money. But money is...