Free Republic

For the last four years, my head has rested on a very particular pillow at night. It’s MyPillow brand, but more importantly it’s MY pillow. I didn’t buy into the original hype until it came in the mail, purchased as a gift for my son. Out of curiosity, I tried it. Moments later, I ordered my own (or, to be more accurate, I commandeered his gift and ordered him a different one since his birthday was still within the delivery window).But I’m not here to tout the quality of their many products. That’s for those on our team in charge...

POMONA, Calif. — Prosecutors say former NFL cornerback Brandon Browner has been sentenced to eight years in prison for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend after breaking into her Southern California home. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says Browner was sentenced Tuesday after pleading no contest to attempted murder as part of a deal with prosecutors. The 34-year-old also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to a child. The judge ordered Browner to stay away from the victim and her two children for 10 years. Browner, who won Super Bowls with the Seattle Seahawks and New England...

We all know the story of American independence, don’t we? A rugged frontier people became increasingly tired of being ruled by a distant elite. A group calling themselves Patriots were especially unhappy about being taxed by a parliament in which they were unrepresented. When, in 1775, British Redcoats tried to repress them, a famous Patriot called Paul Revere rode through the night across eastern Massachusetts, crying “The British are coming!” The shots that were fired the next day began a war for independence which culminated the following year in the statehouse in Philadelphia, when George Washington and others, meeting under...

QUINCY - The final piece of the puzzle (or so they hope) could fall into place for the Patriots this weekend. One of Asante Samuel’s agents on Friday expressed optimism that the cornerback and the team could agree on a long-term contract before Monday’s deadline for franchise-tagged players. ‘‘We’re a lot closer than we were before,’’ said Glenn Toby. ‘‘We’re not adversaries; we’re not fighting (the Patriots). We’re fighting to get it done collectively. ‘‘We’re not looking to grab money and leave. We’re looking to build a future here. It’s worked (for Samuel and the Patriots so far). It’s been...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2006 -- In just a few short months, the Phoenix-based Packages From Home organization has found a new home and a new sponsor, the group’s director of marketing and media relations said. Packages from Home, an Arizona-based troop support organization, recently moved into a new 3,100-square-foot facility. Phoenix Memorial Hospital is donating the space rent and utility free for a year with the possibility of a renewal at the end of the term. Courtesy photo  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Packages From Home began as a mother’s labor of love in March 2004, with sending...