Free Republic

Two Alberta Farmers were looking at a Sears catalog and admiring the models. One says to the other, ‘Have you seen the beautiful girls in this catalog?’ The second one replies, ‘Yes, they are very beautiful. And look at the price!’ The first one says, with wide eyes, ‘Wow, they aren’t very expensive. At this price, I’m buying one.’ The second farmer smiles and pats him on the back. ‘Good idea! Order one and if she’s as beautiful as she is in the catalog, I will get one too.’ Three weeks later, the younger farmer asks his friend, ‘Did you...

HEREFORD — Nearly three decades ago, a two-story barracks on Fort Huachuca was carefully dismantled. There was no tearing the structure down without regard for ensuring the pieces couldn’t be used again. For 78-year-old Darl Goode, the object was to reassemble, with slight modifications, the structure on a piece of property off of Green Oak Lane in Stump Canyon. The old barracks, once part of what was called Splinter Village on the post, wooden structures constructed in the 1940s to house two black divisions that trained in Arizona during World War II, was put together on an acre of land...

Green shoots a mirage in economic desert Gary Duncan: Economic view So that's all right then. Almost a year into the worst recession to afflict Britain and the West since the Second World War and we are, say the optimists, over the worst. “The End” is no longer nigh but, suddenly, the end of the slump is. In the barren desert of economic gloom an oasis of hope, lush with “green shoots”, at last shimmers on the horizon. Or does it? Alas these rose-tinted visions of a rapid revival from recession are almost certainly a cruel mirage. For fearful families,...

SAN FRANCISCO, April 14, 2008 – As the sun began setting over the city here April 11, retired Air Force Col. Ray Slifka was on duty at the San Francisco International Airport United Service Organizations lounge, providing hospitality and assistance to travel-weary military travelers and their families transiting through the airport. Navy Seaman Melissa Marrs makes herself comfortable at the United Service Organizations lounge at San Francisco International Airport while awaiting a flight to San Diego as she makes a permanent-change-of-station move from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. Photo by Donna Miles  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Slifka,...

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2008 – What began in 1919 as simple lodging for servicemembers returning from World War I has since become a “jewel in the heart of Manhattan,” with an expanding mission that includes supporting deployed troops. “The main effort of the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard & Airmen’s Club is to provide reasonably priced accommodations to servicemen and women, as well as any members of the (New York Police Department and New York Fire Department) in order to express our gratitude for all of their efforts,” said Connie Morinello, one of the organization’s committee members. In addition,...

Democrats were fairly confident Calvin Coolidge was in a pickle. A federal judge had slapped Charles L. Craig, an outspoken Tammany Hall star and comptroller of New York City, with a 60-day sentence for failure to retract several public statements. Craig appealed, but was on his way to doing the time. It seemed the president would have to grant a pardon and annul the decision of a Republican-appointed judge., Or, Craig would be jailed simply for exercising his First Amendment rights, and the Democrats could use the widely publicized case as campaign material. Indeed, labor leader Samuel Gompers predicted a...

Judge Walton denied the application of Lewis Libby to remain free on bond pending appeal. Tom Maguire cites to a live blogging of today's hearing and reflects the views of the JOM plamemaniacs when he says: "Well. Walton's ruling is no surprise. A greater surprise will be if an appeals court does not grant Libby relief pending a full review of his appeal." MORE FOR THE LAUGHTRACK: Walton's explanation of his [Andrea]Mitchell ruling is comedy gold (punchline emphasized): Walton: Problem was asking the jury to draw inference upon inference upon inference that would have, in my view, been rank speculation...

Iraq weather respite may only be temporary 16:35 26 March 03 NewScientist.com news service The fierce sandstorms and torrential rain that have hampered the invading US and UK military forces in Iraq improved on Wednesday. However, such weather is common at this time of year and is liable to play a continuing role in the progress of the war. Furthermore, the available weather forecasts suggest winds are likely to pick up again on Friday, threatening to once more ground aircraft and slow the advance of the coalition's ground forces. Winds of over 50 miles per hour whipped up sandstorms on...