Free Republic

This was an inspired read when Kirt referred to it in his latest Townhall.com editorial. Twenty-six years ago, from April 29 to May 4,1992, much of Los Angeles was ablaze. In the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict, South Central L.A. was consumed by riots and looting. Homes and business were burglarized and destroyed by arson. Law-abiding people and business owners were mugged, beaten and robbed.The LAPD pulled out and basically told folks in the worst-hit areas that they were on their own. But a small section of Los Angeles known as Koreatown, located just north of South Central, didn’t burn. Why?...

Earl Watson, a former UCLA basketball star, is back on campus to finish his degree and prepare for a career as a college coach “He was asking me, like, where did I serve, and I said, ‘Serve where?’ ” Watson recalled. “He was like, ‘You know, did you serve in the Middle East?’ ” Watson replied, “I played basketball. I’m a former NBA player/coach and I’m coming back to graduate.” ...“Because of the life experiences and everything I overcame to this point, it’s almost better coming to college later because I found my voice through life,” Watson said. “I understand...

“Seven years after enactment of Obamacare, I wanted to support legislation that made positive changes to rescue healthcare in America. “Unfortunately, the legislation before the House today is currently unacceptable as it would place significant new costs and barriers to care on my constituents in New Jersey.

Tough Teddio Brisenio Preserved poor Roddy’s brain-i-o His cervical save Was just such a rave That they trashed ol’ ElAy Insteadio.

RIALTO -- Rodney King, the black motorist whose 1991 videotaped beating by Los Angeles police officers led to riots a year later in South Central L.A., was declared dead early Sunday after being pulled from the bottom of his home's backyard swimming pool. (excerpt) read more at http://www.dailybulletin.com

Rodney King shot in San Bernardino 10:41 AM PST on Thursday, November 29, 2007 By PAUL LAROCCO The Press-Enterprise Rodney King was apparently shot and wounded on a San Bernardino street corner late Wednesday night before biking home to Rialto to report the incident, police said. King, the 42-year-old man who gained national fame when his 1991 beating by Los Angeles police was caught on videotape, called Rialto police at 11:39 p.m. to report the shooting, said Sgt. Don Lewis. He had been struck in the face and arm with a shotgun, Lewis said. King reported that the shooting occurred...

WASHINGTON -- A congressman from New Jersey helped police catch a man who may have tried to pick his pocket Thursday night. Police said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen was walking in the Georgetown section of the city about 9:30 p.m. when he was approached by a group of young men. The congressman told officers he felt someone grab at his wallet. But when he turned, the person started running away. Frelinghuysen said the culprit first asked if he wanted to buy candy before robbing him. Frelinghuysen began chasing the man and was joined by two D.C. police officers who happened to...

OLYMPIA – Republican state Rep. Rodney Tom switched parties Tuesday and will challenge state Senate Republican Floor Leader Luke Esser this fall. An irritated state Republican Chairwoman Diane Tebelius demanded that Tom resign his House seat, but Tom said he intended to serve the balance of his term as a Democrat. Democrats, including Gov. Chris Gregoire, welcomed the convert. Gregoire called him to chat. The Democratic Party said Tom's switch reflects a growing disenchantment of suburban moderates with hardline Republicans.

A suspect is assaulted by a police officer after a car chase in Philadelphia on April 28, 2005. A local TV news helicopter crew videotaped the incident. Normally this is the type of thing becomes a mainstream media frenzy. Normally this is the lead report on every network national and local telecast. Rodney King was. So were the incidents in Inglewood and Cincinnati. This also proved true nearly five years ago, when a similar incident occurred just before the Republican convention in Philadelphia. This time there is no saturation coverage in the national media. Charles Baum, who is white and...

LOS ANGELES - Comedian Rodney Dangerfield (news) was hospitalized Tuesday for heart valve replacement surgery. Dangerfield, 82, underwent brain surgery last year to reduce his chances of having a stroke during the heart operation. Asked how long he would remain in the hospital after Wednesday's operation, he said: "If things go right, I'll be there about a week, and if things don't go right, I'll be there about an hour and a half." The comic and actor, best known for his self-mocking line, "I don't get no respect," recently released his autobiography, "It's Not Easy Being Me: A Lifetime of...