Free Republic

Lost amidst all insider bickering, Haley Barbour question-dodging, press-banning and John Bolton sabre-rattling at the weekend California Republican convention was a bit of history: The party elected its first openly gay board member. And we didn't see a hoot of protest about it. "Well, openly gay," quipped Gregory Gandrud, who just took his seat on the 23-member board. The 50-year-old Carpinteria (Santa Barbara County) resident is a longtime party activist, and Capinteria council member from 2002-2006. So about being "the first" -- a caveat: The California Log Cabin Republicans believe he is the first California Republican Party board member. Gandrud...

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The White House on Friday named Jeremy Bernard to serve as social secretary to President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, the first male and first openly gay person to hold the position. The high profile job, traditionally filled by a woman, will put Bernard in ultimate charge of dispensing sumptuous White House hospitality at events from state dinners to holiday parties, concerts and tours of the presidential mansion. "Jeremy shares our vision for the White House as the People's House, one that celebrates our history and culture in dynamic and inclusive ways," Obama said in...

One of the most chilling phenomena of our time is the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe. The dirty work, the threats and violence that are causing Jews to leave Europe, is carried out more or less exclusively by young Muslim immigrants. But implicit sanction for anti-Semitism comes straight from the top, as top European political, business and social leaders make little effort to hide their contempt for Jews. The most recent case is that of Karel De Gucht, the European trade commissioner. On Thursday he gave an interview to a Belgian radio station, in the course of which he volunteered...

The lefties have hit this hard. 58% remove ban entirely 22% keep don't ask don't tell 20% gays shouldn't be in at all

<p>WASHINGTON (Nov. 30) — Marking the 14th anniversary of legislation that allowed gay men and lesbians to serve in the military but only if they kept their orientation secret, 28 retired generals and admirals plan to release a letter on Friday urging Congress to repeal the law.</p>

Some 30 youths are being held in prison until later this week, following yesterday's seven-minute blocking of the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv. Coincidentally, 40 taxi drivers were arrested today for blocking traffic in a work dispute - but police said they would be released if the strike is ended. Among the most controversial arrests was that of 17-year-old Y.M. of Kibbutz Shaalvim - whom the police held for five hours without informing his family. Ariel, of the Honenu organization, which provides aid to citizens under or facing political arrest, first learned of the story from the boy's friends yesterday...