Free Republic

Jakarta - Indonesia's top Islamic body said on Thursday that Christmas decorations in malls, amusement centres and public places were "excessive and provocative" in the Muslim-majority country. Christmas ornamentation had been put up in an "excessive and provocative way", said Muhyidin Junaedi, one of the chairpersons of the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI). "It should be done in a proportional manner as Muslims are the majority here, otherwise it will hurt their feelings," he said.

WASHINGTON - Bowing to moderates and seeking to defuse a campaign issue before leaving for vacation, House GOP leaders Friday planned a vote on a bill to increase the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour within three years. The vote comes after almost 50 rank-and-file Republican lawmakers pressed House leaders — who strongly oppose the wage hike and have thus far prevented a vote — to schedule the measure for debate. Democrats have been hammering away on the wage hike issue and have public opinion behind them "We weren't going to be denied," said Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio, a leader...