Free Republic

From one end of Oakland to the other Tuesday night, the city celebrated the inauguration of President Barack Obama with a sense of historical reverence and renewed national optimism. The moment was sweet for Joel Davis, a 61-year-old Oakland schoolteacher celebrating at the Everett & Jones Barbeque restaurant in Oakland. For years he told his pupils they can "be anything they want to be," Davis said. But the doubt always remained whether an African-American could be elected president. During the inauguration, the reality hit home. "I felt that for the first time this was real," said Davis, who has lived...

LOS ANGELES - Hoisting her Academy Award in one hand and newly won Razzie in the other, Halle Berry reveled in her career low point. "Omigosh, oh my God," Berry gasped Saturday night, feigning excitement as she held her hand to her mouth and forehead. "I never in my life thought that I would be here, winning a Razzie. It's not like I ever aspired to be here, but thank you." Berry was picked as worst actress for 2004's action bomb "Catwoman," which also took the prize for worst film at the 25th annual Razzies, an Oscar spoof that trashes...