Free Republic

Voters in New Jersey will see newly designed ballots in the upcoming June 4 primary elections with different layouts depending on a voter's party affiliation. The change comes after Democratic Rep. Andy Kim and others filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the state's so-called county line system of primary ballot design. A judge ruled in Kim's favor, saying the county line system favors Democrat party-backed candidates. Republican candidates -- as their ballots were not part of this lawsuit -- will still use the county line system. The county line system -- a one-of-a-kind ballot design unique to New Jersey --...

A law in Ann Arbor could force a Democrat to write speeches for President Donald Trump or a pro-life artist to create a mural for Planned Parenthood. On Tuesday, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a lawsuit on behalf of a conservative political consulting firm, warning that an Ann Arbor non-discrimination law would force that firm to parrot liberal messages and help Democrats get elected. If they refuse, they could get hit with fines of $500 per day. ADF is representing Grant Strobl and Jacob Chludzinski, founders of the company ThinkRight Strategies. "On the face of the law, it is illegal...

The Regents of the University of California system are considering a proposal that bans intolerance and hate speech, but promises members of the campus community that their free speech rights will still be respected. Reassured? Yeah, me neither. Here is the proposal, which will be discussed at an upcoming meeting: The University of California is committed to protecting its bedrock values of respect, inclusion, and academic freedom. Free expression and the open exchange of ideas — principles enshrined in our national and state Constitutions — are part of the University’s fiber. So, too, is tolerance, and University of California students,...

State offices Governor: Jerry Brown (D) Lieutenant governor: Gavin Newsom (D) Attorney general: Kamala Harris (D) Secretary of state: Debra Bowen (D)* State controller: John Chiang (D)* State treasurer: Bill Lockyer (D)* Supt. of public instruction (nonpartisan office): Larry Aceves Insurance commissioner: Mike Villines (R) U.S. senator: No recommendationState propositions 19: Legalize marijuana. No 20: Expand redistricting reform. Yes 21: Car tax for parks. No22: Protect local taxes. No 23: Climate law retreat. No 24: Tax-break repeal. No 25: Majority budget vote. Yes 26: Supermajority vote for fees. No27: Undo redistricting reform. No

Speaking in 2004 to a crowd of wealthy democratic supporters during a fund raising event in San Francisco, Hillary Clinton spoke the very words that illustrate the intentions of the government so very well. "We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." While those words were spoken three years ago, they are just as important today. They represent not just the Democrat party's strong commitment to the redistribution of wealth rightfully earned by the American people, it provides insight into the focus that our politicians have in running our nation. It highlights the precise...

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/27/international/asia/27china.htmlState-Run Chinese Paper Lashes Anti-Japan Protests as 'Evil Plot' By JOSEPH KAHN Published: April 27, 2005 EIJING, April 26 - A top Chinese state-run newspaper said in a staff editorial this week that the wave of popular protests against Japan were part of an "evil plot" with "ulterior motives," suggesting that at least some elements of the Chinese leadership now wish to portray the demonstrations as a conspiracy to undermine the Communist Party.The editorial, published in The Liberation Daily of Shanghai on Monday, used the most strident language to date in an escalating campaign against the anti-Japan protests, which officials...

Sometimes it is truly hard to know what is going on. On the same day that the Governor of Yaracuy, not exactly Daniel’s favorite person, issues his own decree “rescuing” lands in his state, the Land Institute issues a communiqué saying that the intervention of lands requires a presidential decree. (El Nacional, page A-14, by subscription). Thus, three decrees intervening land and now a step back? Well, as usual, it is unclear. All the Land Institute is saying is that it will have a meeting tomorrow about these issues. The Land Institute did say that Governors and Mayors have the...

Soviet Satellite School Brainwashes Teens Every once in awhile, even the most jaded political combatant will have a moment that stops him in his tracks, a moment that makes him say “wow.” These moments are rare. Political animals make a life out of delivering the same arguments over and over again. The monotony is usually only broken by (i) the different contexts in which these arguments can be made or (ii) original, pointed humor. It takes something special to break through the usual political noise. For me, that something special was a shy teenage girl’s note. My “wow” moment came...