Free Republic

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) will back former Ohio Republican Party chairwoman Jane Timken as his chosen successor in an attempt to boost her through a crowded GOP field later this year. In a statement released Wednesday, Portman said Timken would be the candidate best positioned to keep his seat in Republican hands in the midterm elections. “I believe Jane Timken is the best candidate to advance conservative Republican policies to help Ohio workers and families. Jane is smart and hard working, and understand the needs of Ohioans,” Portman said. “I am confident in her ability to win both the primary...

Did somebody say lunch?             By RICHARD MORIARTY Published: Today     THIS hungry polar bear didn't need a second invitation to pop in for lunch after smelling it being prepared on a tourist ship in the Arctic. The beast stuck its head through the porthole after smelling cauliflower soup being heated up as the boat stopped at an ice flow close to the island of Svalbard, midway between Norway and the North Pole.   Close encounter ... tourists get a rare close-up with a polar bear  Luckily wildlife photographer Andy Rouse was one of 12...

LONDON -- Britain's Royal Navy yesterday announced a campaign to recruit gays and lesbians. The navy said it asked Stonewall, a gay rights lobbying group, to help develop the campaign, which could include ads in the gay press. Britain lifted its ban on homosexuals serving in the military in 2000 after a European court ruled that their exclusion was unlawful. In a separate announcement, the government said yesterday that same-sex couples can begin entering into civil unions in December. A law passed last year gives same sex-couples the right to form legally binding partnerships and share pensions. (Reuters)