Free Republic

[Editor's note: This story was first published in 1978 by F. Paul Wilson. Then it was probably considered rather "out there". Today it's a prescient look at what is close to becoming a reality as the Food Police continually try to foist their "good-for-you" policies on individuals. We're pleased to bring this story to our audience.] Butter. I can name a man's poison at fifty paces. I take one look at this guy as he walks in and say to myself, "Butter." He steps carefully, like there's something sticky on the soles of his shoes. Maybe there is, but I...

“Hello, old chap, you got stuck with the big decision, didn't you?" ”Donald wheeled suddenly and said:“Why, it’s you, Andrew! I warn’t noticing.” “Say—I’m swimming in glowing press, I am. Don’t you wish you were? But of course you’d druther work on reopening the economy — wouldn’t you? Even if people gonna criticize you if it ain't picture perfect afterwards.” Donald contemplated the Governor a bit, and said: “What do you call work?” “Why, ain’t that work? ”Donald resumed his hard work, and answered carelessly: “Well, maybe it is, and maybe it ain’t. All I know, is, it suits Donald Trump.” “Oh come, now,...

Alas, Brave New Babylon By Matt Bracken 1. THE REGAL INN MOTOR LODGE I used to be a history teacher at a private Christian school in Louisiana. I was in my mid-thirties then, unmarried and unattached. It was June and I was on a road trip, cruising up Interstate 81 through the northeastern corner of Tennessee in my Maxima. I was going to spend the month in Pennsylvania, hiking another 300 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The trail ran 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, and over previous summers I’d hiked it in sections, from south to north. After a...

Stephen Leeds, AKA “Legion,” is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the story begins, Leeds and his “aspects” are drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera whose astonishing properties could alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society. I thought you Freepers might like this book, I found the storyline good and the characters interesting, and I found the "aspect" J.C. fun. The...

Synopsis: Since the death of his fiancée, George has become a drop out, heavy drug user and -- most recently -- a homeless street performer in Washington, D.C. Recovery seems possible after he saves the life of a congressman's relative and gains access to her wealth, but hidden enemies and his own inner turmoil threaten to drag him to new lows. Please read story at http://eudaimonia4u.blogspot.com/2006/04/short-story-by-mt.html and offer constructive criticism. Thanks for your help.

Look, if you told us that a former Bill Clinton cabinet member was posing nude for a pin-up calendar, we'd be hard-pressed to pick which pol we'd most like to see in the buff. Reno? Albright? Shalala? Norton? All fine choices--va-va-va-voom--in more ways than one. So imagine The Smoking Gun's disappointment when we learned that Robert Reich, who headed the Department of Labor, was the stripping Secretary. Reich, the 4' 10" Democratic dynamo who was routed in last year's Massachusetts gubernatorial primary, posed last week for a 2004 calendar that will raise funds for a Cambridge community television group (the...

I am trying to remember the rather grandiose title of a small blue booklet which contained a motivational story told in two parts. The first part consisted of one man trying to convince his friend to let him read the story. The second part was tips for a successful life, the first of which was to not spend time with negative people who are time-wasters. Any suggestions as to what the title might have been? By the way, it's not a recent publication.