Free Republic

Gasoline prices will remain high through 2012, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says. The government's prediction Tuesday assumes significant increases in global oil consumption, oil price increases to go along with that, and even stronger profits for oil companies in the short run. But it does not mention the volatility that has beset oil markets in the last couple of weeks, driving prices to near record highs. The spikes -- driven by massive amounts of investor money electronically moving in and out of the commodities markets -- have convinced many motorists that somebody is gouging them.

If Warren Buffett has one recommendation investors should follow, it's this: stay away from long-term fixed-income bets in U.S. dollars -- the dollar's purchasing power is heading south. According to Bloomberg, the Berkshire chief said in India yesterday: I would recommend against buying long-term fixed-dollar investments. If you ask me if the U.S. dollar is going to hold its purchasing power fully at the level of 2011, 5 years, 10 years or 20 years from now, I would tell you it will not. I would much rather own businesses. It’s very easy to take away the value of fixed-dollar investments.

Roger Vinson, the U.S. federal judge who ruled Obamacare unconstitutional in its entirety, has ruled again on the health-care law. On Thursday, Judge Vinson issued a stay on his earlier ruling that the law could not be enforced. In doing so, he sent a clear message to the Obama administration: Appeal my decision to a higher court or stop implementing the law. When Judge Vinson ruled on Jan. 31 that the health-care law was unconstitutional, the administration followed up by filing a motion for clarification rather than filing an official appeal. Vinson’s ruling criticized the administration for that action. “During...

Much has been written and said about Judge Vinson’s  ruling today granting a very limited stay of his earlier declaratory ruling (which he “clarified” to have been the equivalent of an injunction) against further implementation of ObamaCare. I have little to add other than a few quotations from today’s decision; it is tantamount to a statement that the federal government acted in bad faith. [T]he defendants [federal government] had acknowledged in their summary judgment opposition brief that, if I were to find for the plaintiffs, separate injunctive relief would be superfluous and unnecessary. The defendants expressly assured the court that,...

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson has issued a stay of his own ruling declaring the health care reform law unconstitutional, giving the Obama administration seven days to file an appeal. The stay means implementation of the law can proceed pending the administration’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. In his ruling, Vinson repeated what he has said previously — that “the citizens of this country have an interest in having this case resolved as soon as practically possible.” “That was nearly eleven months ago,” he wrote. “In the time since, the battle lines have been...

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The Iraqi Presidency Council approved a resolution Sunday that will allow non-U.S. foreign troops to remain in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires at year's end.

She informed me that Mr. Donofrio’s application was first referred to the full Court by Justice Clarence Thomas on November 19, 2008. After that referral took place the full Court, and not Justice Thomas alone, distributed the application for an emergency stay for Conference of December 5, 2008

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2008 – Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Ryan Bradford was part of a patrol to clear an area near Haditha, Iraq, of roadside bombs with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, on Jan. 18, 2007. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Bradford goes surfing in Hawaii. He hasn't let his injuries caused by a roadside bomb near Haditha, Iraq, stop him from enjoying many of the activities he participated in before the Jan. 18, 2007, blast. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Bradford  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. “We found it,” he said with a chuckle,...

A 23-year-old Bloomington, Illinois, hotel employee accused of letting a number of people stay in rooms without paying has told police she let them stay only because some of them were homeless. Jeannie Roberts was charged yesterday with theft of labor, services or property. The general manager of the Clarion Hotel called police after discovering that five rooms were being used even though they were not checked out. Some of the unpaid guests were found in a hot tub, and police said the five rooms had been occupied by about 20 people. Police said the unpaid guests may have damaged...

For thousands of troops who have seen the war in Iraq first hand, the mission is a personal one even after they take off the uniform. Concerns about where that war may be heading is putting some local veterans face to face with lawmakers, fighting a different side of Operation Iraqi freedom. For retired Navy Veteran Chris Chilson, time with family is a luxury he's still getting used to. Afternoons spent together were few and far between during his 20 years on board aircraft carriers, some of them spent in the searing heat of the Iraqi desert. Chilson says, "It...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2008 – The Multinational Force Iraq commander will stay where he is for the time being, and no decision has been made to shorten tour lengths for Army personnel in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a Pentagon news conference today. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates (left) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael Mullen hold a news conference in the Pentagon, Jan. 24, 2008. Photo by R. D. Ward   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. President Bush wants Army Gen. David H....

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2008 – The United States must maintain its resolve to win the war against terrorism and strengthen the Iraqi government, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq said in a recent interview. “We have to stay with this; this is hard,” Ryan C. Crocker said in a Jan. 9 interview with Soldiers Radio and Television in Baghdad. “There are going to be more bad days, but increasingly, we’re seeing good days as well. The consequences of not succeeding in Iraq for the stability of the region, for the health of the international economy, and for America’s own security, are...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2008 – Coalition servicemembers are making a difference in Iraq, and despite political rhetoric there, the country’s leaders realize they need coalition forces to remain, the commander of coalition ground forces said yesterday. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, said that when he visits battalions and companies throughout Iraq, he is struck by the way Iraqis deal with coalition forces. “It’s a very interesting dynamic,” the general said during a conference call with military analysts from his headquarters in Baghdad. “I go out about five times a week, … and it’s clear...

11/20/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Warriors wounded in war with mild to moderate injuries are being sent to the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group where they can be treated, recover and returned to duty. There are seven nurses on staff, which includes three intensive care unit nurses, who deal with a lot of different injuries or medical conditions on a daily basis. "Most of the patients that come here are aeromedically evacuated from up range," said Maj. Nancy Johnson," the 379th EMDG chief nurse. "We see a variety of injuries from improvised explosive devices, mortar blasts or bullet wounds, but...

One hundred forty-one paratroopers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division re-enlisted Oct. 14 on Forward Operating Base Kalsu in a ceremony conducted by Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, commanding general of Multi-National Division–Center. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Marcus Butler 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Public Affairs. BAGHDAD — One hundred forty-one Paratroopers decided to stay Army in a mass re-enlistment ceremony held on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Oct. 14. The Paratroopers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division made the decision to continue their service in the Army after being deployed for over...

July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Democratic Presidential Candidate and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich is being treated in a Cleveland area hospital suffering from the severe effects of apparent food poisoning. Kucinich became ill late on Sunday night while traveling from Cleveland to Ft. Lauderdale, FL where he was scheduled to address the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) national convention on Monday morning. He was accompanied on the trip by his wife Elizabeth. Despite experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms consistent with food poisoning, he proceeded with his scheduled appearance at the ILA event. Immediately following his speech, he flew back home to Cleveland where...

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2007 – Al Qaeda terrorists have chosen Iraq as the central front in their worldwide campaign against freedom, so America must stay in the fight to prevent them from establishing a safe haven from which to launch more attacks, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said in Iraq today.  Al Qaeda leaders believe they can wear down the United States, force the troops out of Iraq and make the country a launching pad for new attacks in the region and abroad, Cheney said in remarks to members of the Army’s 25th Infantry Division in Tikrit. “The terrorists...

Neighbours of a middle-aged woman who sunbathed in the nude have failed to get her evicted. The woman, 59, from Dalarna, central Sweden, not only sunbathed outside the door of her apartment block, but also stood in the same place and smoked in her birthday suit. Related Articles Helicopter makes emergency landing for McDonalds lunch 17th April 2007 Police remove handcuffs after sex play 13th April 2007 Swedish babies the height of fashion 12th April 2007 Article Options Send to a friend Printable version Submit to Digg.com Discuss this (11 Posts) Neighbours complained that the woman's public nudity was inappropriate,...

FORT HUACHUCA — He’s served in Army green and Navy and Air Force blue. He’s served on active duty, in the National Guard and in the Reserves. He’s served as an enlisted man, officer and warrant officer. The he is Randall Stittsworth, whose 15 years of military service has included being a dental technician, medic, platoon leader, a maintainer of electronic intelligence equipment and now a human intelligence warrant officer. At the first step in the Army warrant officer program, Warrant Officer Stittsworth, a Napa, Calif., native, is going through the basic course at the post’s Intelligence Center. Being from...

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy ordered Friday that his temporary stay protecting the Mount Soledad cross extend until state and federal courts can hear the city of San Diego's appeal this fall. In blocking a federal judge's order that the city remove the cross by Aug. 1 or face a daily fine of $5,000, Kennedy also indicated that the full court may want to review the controversial case. Kennedy said the court, which refused three years ago to get involved in the dispute, may consider it because of two new factors favorable to cross proponents. He cited legislation to...