Free Republic

This is an education in extravagance. The Syosset Central School District, which serves an enclave of gated communities, ritzy eateries and children's boutiques like "Spoiled Rotten," takes the crown in employee compensation. The school superintendent, Carole Hankin -- who oversees 6,687 kids in 10 schools -- is the highest-paid in the state with $506,322 in total compensation. She collects a $386,868 salary, $67,454 in fringe benefits and $52,000 in retirement funds and expenses including use of a "late model car," plus gas. By contrast, New York City Chancellor Cathie Black, in charge of 1.1 million students and

(Sept. 19) - Adopted two days after her first birthday, Sarah Culberson grew up the youngest daughter in a close-knit family from Morgantown, W.Va. She was surrounded by love in her home, but always wondered about her roots. Searching to unlock the secrets of her past, at age 22, Culberson began searching for her birth parents. She quickly learned that her mom had died a dozen years earlier from cancer. Culberson was crushed. A few years later, a private investigator helped her locate her birth father, along with an unbelievable surprise. Culberson wasn't an average suburban girl -- she was...

NEW YORK - Foxy Brown says she hasn't heard another person's voice in six months and will have surgery early next year to restore her hearing. The 26-year-old rapper was diagnosed with sudden hearing loss in May while she was recording her upcoming album, she told reporters Thursday. "I ask only for your continued prayers and compassion as I embrace the blessings of my journey," Brown said, her voice at times choking up and tears coming to her eyes. She was accompanied by supporters including Russell Simmons and his wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Brown's new lawyer, Joseph Fleming. Brown's...

"The Queen's Guard" Teresa Heinz Kerry and John Kerry political cartoon.  May 11, 2004... The ketchup queen According to a Reuter’s article, John Kerry says his wife Teresa is off limits and his opponents should not attack her. "They're going to have to go through me," says Kerry. The article goes on to say: “Mrs. Kerry has been criticized for her outspokenness and candor...” Indeed. A Newsweek article about Teresa Heinz Kerry -- titled, She’s No Hillary -- points out: “she drops expletives in interviews and shoots daggers at her political opponents.” And as one comment on FreeRepublic notes,...