Free Republic

LONDON (AP) - Tens of thousands of hunters and their hounds raced through the countryside on horseback Saturday, opening a fox-hunting season that could be one of Britain's last. The more than 300 hunts had a defiant air, with participants still angry over the government's plans to ban hunting with hounds. The House of Commons voted two months ago to outlaw the sport. The House of Lords refuses to endorse the bill, but the government has threatened to force it into law anyway by next year. Fox hunting supporters were undaunted. "We are just as determined to be here next...

BOSTON (Reuters) - The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston Tuesday demanded the removal of an animal rights group's billboard advertisement depicting the Virgin Mary cradling a lifeless chicken in her arms. The ad by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals features the tagline "Go Vegetarian -- It's an Immaculate Conception," a reference to teachings about Mary's purity. But the church said the billboard was "offensive at any time" and especially so during the Christmas season. "Why any organization would seek to garner goodwill for itself and its message by promoting an ad campaign that is so offensive to a...