Free Republic

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) - A group of demonstrators lit a small fire around the outside of the Portland Police Association building in North Portland Saturday night. The exterior was also tagged with anti-police sentiments. Portland Police and fire authorities later snuffed the fire. The “autonomous demonstration” began at Arbor Lodge Park and eventually migrated to outside the PPA building, according to Twitter posts. PPB officials said some people are blocking traffic on North Lombard Street near North Campbell Avenue.

The Portland Police Association building was set on fire as unrest in that city continued to escalate, according to Portland police and a video posted on social media. The blaze came as Portland and Oregon leaders heightened their rhetoric against President Donald Trump for deploying federal agents to the streets of that city. The Oregon Department of Justice is suing federal agencies alleging they’re detaining people without probable cause. Protesters gathered in both downtown Portland and on Portland’s east side near the North Precinct building, Portland Police said on Saturday. At around 10 p.m., police said people gathered about the...

Reading "Masters and Commanders," Andrew Roberts's magnificent account of British and American leaders in World War II, I was struck by how many of them, working prodigious hours and under great strain, were struck down by heart attacks while in their 60s. This doesn't happen anymore, I thought, with the blood pressure and cholesterol medicines many of us routinely take. But it does, as we were reminded by the sudden death at age 69 this week of Richard Holbrooke, who was working prodigiously as Barack Obama's special representative for AfPak, i.e., Afghanistan and Pakistan. Holbrooke was known in cynical Washington...

This week, the Globe and Mail asked General Lewis McKenzie (Retired) to write the obituary of American diplomat Richard Holbrooke. It was a good idea. The two men had crossed paths more than once on the global stage of the Great Game. McKenzie declined. Holbrooke had just died and the general knew that what he had to say would hardly produce the standard panegyric. When I caught up with McKenzie, he was shoveling snow after a spell away from home. I asked for an interview and to my surprise, he agreed. “I’m just going to tell you what I thought...

A federal grand jury in Manhattan is investigating one of the largest internet poker sites serving US gamblers and could bring indictments against some of the world's best known professional players, according to people familiar with the case and a subpoena issued to a witness this week. The probe is aimed at Full Tilt Poker and individuals including Chris Ferguson and Howard Lederer, champion gamblers who are among those accused of controlling the company in a Los Angeles civil lawsuit filed last year. Online gambling is illegal in the US and according to the subpoena the investigation is examining whether...

Incoming Global Warming Czar Carol Browner was — until last week — listed as one of 14 leaders of a socialist group that advocates what's called "global governance" and says rich countries must shrink their economies to address climate change. The Washington Times reports Browner's name and biography were listed on the Web page for Socialist International . Mr. Obama's transition team says Browner's membership in the organization is not a problem and that it brings experience in policymaking to her new role. But House Minority Leader John Boehner’s spokeswoman Antonia Ferrier asks, “Does she agree with the group's positions...

On April 29, The House of representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1913) by a vote of 249 to 175. It is expected to be taken up in the Senate any day now. Critics of the measure contend that, if the bill becomes law, it will force local and state law enforcement to prosecute and sentence individuals not only for the crimes they commit, but also for their beliefs—a slippery slope which will take the country down the road toward eventually criminalizing the thoughts of the American people.

Madison - 01.26.06 After a very short debate, the state Senate voted to override Governor Doyle's veto of the Personal Protection Act. The vote was 23 to 10, one more than was needed.The only Republican voting to sustain Doyle's veto was Senator Luther Olsen.Democrats voting to override the veto were Senators Julie Lassa, Russ Decker, Bob Wirch, Jeff Plale and Roger Breske.Please take a few minutes to call these brave Democratic legislators to thank them for their vote. Their contact information is:Senator Russ Decker  (608) 266-2502sen.decker@legis.state.wi.us Senator Julie Lassa (608) 266-3123sen.lassa@legis.state.wi.usSenator Bob Wirch  (888) 769-4724sen.wirch@legis.state.wi.usSenator Roger Breske (800) 334-8773sen.breske@legis.state.wi.usSenator Jeff...

The (WI) state Assembly passed a bill early today that would let Wisconsin residents carry hidden guns and knives after Republicans scaled the plan back to ensure enough support from Democrats to override the governor's looming veto. The Assembly voted 64-32 to pass the measure after attaching an amendment that sets up more training for gun owners, tightens restrictions on carrying concealed weapons while drinking and sets up new school zones where concealed weapons would be illegal. The bill next goes to the state Senate. That body approved a version of it last week, but the Assembly amendment changed the...

September 29, 2005 GUNDERSON, ZIEN INTRODUCE PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT MADISON…Rep. Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford) and Sen. Dave Zien (R-Wheaton) announced today they will reintroduce legislation that would give Wisconsin citizens the same rights as citizens in 46 other states by allowing law-abiding citizens the ability to protect themselves and their families by becoming licensed to carry a concealed weapon after undergoing a criminal background check and safety training. The Personal Protection Act (PPA) passed both houses of the Legislature last session and was vetoed by the Governor. The Senate overrode the veto, but the Assembly failed in its override attempt by...