Free Republic

The UK and France are perceived to have the worst problems with anti-social behaviour in Europe, a survey suggests. People in six nations were asked where there were big or moderate problems. Some 76% said the UK faced concerns, followed by France on 75%, with the Netherlands - cited by 44% - seen as the least-affected. But the survey of 7,047 people by TNS for security firm ADT showed all nations saw themselves as having "significant" difficulties. Criminologists said governments would need to scrutinise crime survey data and police records to determine whether the survey was reflective of a "real...

Rule Britannia By William John Hagan Houston Home Journal (Warner Robins, GA) Let me share a little secret with the Iraqi people and their government: When you have about 175,000 foreign troops on your soil you are not a sovereign nation. In fact, it would be a surprise if President Jalal Talabani were allowed to go to the bathroom without permission from US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. However, George Bush and Tony Blair, in their never-ending attempt at political correctness, have allowed Iraq to adopt an Islamic Constitution and reenter the world stage while both our nation’s soldiers are being murdered,...

HEAVY-METAL music wafts up from the Navy bars, DVDs are playing on the ship’s televisions and Kylie calendars are pinned up on more than one cabin wall. But a more traditional form of entertainment is also proving a big hit among British forces in the Gulf. The Royal Marines band is taking helicopters and boats from its base on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus to play morale-boosting concerts for the sailors and soldiers on board Royal Navy ships. The 39 musicians, who all play two instruments and double up as stretcher-bearers to bring wounded personnel into the RFA Argus hospital,...