Free Republic

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Republican Senator John McCain on Wednesday joined his former rival President Barack Obama in calling for a nuclear-free world, a goal previously formulated by former president Ronald Reagan. During a lengthy speech on the Senate floor marking the unveiling of a statue of Reagan in the Capitol, the veteran Arizona lawmaker recalled how his "personal hero" had dreamed of a world free of nuclear weapons. "That is my dream too," McCain said. "This is a distant and difficult goal. And we must proceed toward it prudently and pragmatically, and with a focused concern for our security and...

Sean Hannity Raising Money For Schwarzenegger Conservative Fox News commentator Sean Hannity will be the "special guest" Oct. 26 at a fund-raiser for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Don't tell Democrats who have embraced Schwarzenegger this year after he raised the minimum wage, signed legislation curbing global warming, and actively courted the Democratic Legislature. The event at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento costs $1,000 per person, but "platinum" sponsors can pay $100,000. Platinum sponsors listed on the invitation (at left and below) are Chevron executive Jack Coffey; developer Gerry Kamilos and his wife, Karen; and McDonald's franchise owner C.C. Yin and his...

The rate of decline in the US housing market is continuing to surprise the pundits. The number of housing starts - that is, new home construction - fell 6% in August, down almost 20% on last year, the worst annual decline in four years, and a much worse fall than expected. That came hot on the heels of news from the National Association of Home Builders that house builders’ confidence is at its lowest since 1991. “This implies an increasingly negative outlook for the consumer sector given the importance of equity withdrawal and the positive wealth effects housing has provided...

President Bush yesterday said he opposes a civilian project to monitor illegal aliens crossing the border, characterizing them as "vigilantes." He said he would pressure Congress to further loosen immigration law.

There are essentially three tax reform proposals being considered by Congress. There’s Rep. John Linder’s (R-GA) FairTax, the flat tax, and the politically (though not popularly) preferred method of incrementalism. Before we dwell on the differences between the flat tax and The FairTax Book co-authored by John Linder and myself, let’s acknowledge one political reality illustrated by the success of both The FairTax Book and Steve Forbes’ Flat Tax Revolution: the people of the United States are ready for bold and decisive tax reform NOW. They don’t want the incremental approach. The FairTax Book would not have debuted No. 1...

The US House of Representatives has voted 276-139 for a bill that would prevent lawsuits against the food industry for making people fat. The so-called Cheeseburger Bill bans frivolous lawsuits against producers and sellers of food and non-alcoholic drinks arising from obesity claims. The bill supporters say consumers have to realise they cannot blame others for the consequences of their actions. Critics say the food industry now does not have to worry about public health. The vote came a day after a new study said obesity was likely to become the nation's biggest preventable killer, overtaking smoking. These insane and...

For 13 years Terri Schiavo has been in a coma - with her husband, her parents, the Christian right and now the president's brother locked in a bitter struggle over her fate. This week could see a final decision on whether she lives or dies. Suzanne Goldenberg reports from Florida The woman's eyes are open in the video. She slowly rolls her head along the pillow, keeping up a constant low moan, as a man's arm dangles a metallic balloon overhead. "Look over here, Terri," a male voice says. "Can you follow that at all?" The medical community and Florida's...

We Had a Democracy Once, But You Crushed Itby Russell Mokhiber and Robert WeissmanDissident Voice August 9, 2003 In Thursday's Washington Post, Condoleeza Rice, the President's NationalSecurity Advisor, writes the following: "Our task is to work with those in the Middle East who seek progress toward greater democracy, tolerance, prosperity and freedom. As President Bush said in February, ‘The world has a clear interest in the spread of democratic values, because stable and free nations do not breed ideologies of murder. They encourage the peaceful pursuit of a better life.'" Now, if we only had a nickel for every time Bush, or...