Free Republic

BAGHDAD, Iraq The U-S military in Iraq is downplaying reports of insurgent attacks against American and Iraqi installations in Ramadi. Local police and residents had reported widespread attacks on the town. The U-S military says only one rocket-propelled grenade was fired at an observation post and there were no injuries. A police lieutenant says at least four mortar rounds fell near a U-S base, and residents say scores of masked gunmen ran into the streets. Meanwhile, the military says an A-P Television News video of the insurgents is a publicity stunt. The footage shows insurgents walking through a market street...

Editor & Publisher interviewed some of the New York Times columnists whose work is no longer accessible on the web without charge. They are not happy about the reduced readership, and note that in many overseas locations the $50 charge the Times imposes would pay for a lot more than on the Upper West Side. For its part, the Times is still keeping the number of those paying a state secret. Which means it is an embarrassment, in all liklihood. “I’m sad to lose an awful lot of readers, and a lot of readers in places like China and Pakistan...