Free Republic

Members of Missouri's legislative black caucus on Thursday elected state Rep. Steven Roberts, D-St. Louis, to chair the group — but Roberts' ascension drew criticism from one of his colleagues who two years ago accused Roberts of raping her. Rep. Cora Faith Walker, D-Ferguson, announced Thursday on Facebook that she was leaving the caucus. "I have resigned from the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus," Walker wrote. "I stand in my truth and am incredibly grateful to my colleagues who stand with survivors."

Former Republican Rep. Tom Davis told The Hill newspaper: “The middle is getting squeezed,” but his comment vastly understates the crisis in the capital. Activists in both parties have declared war on moderates. The ideological gap between the two parties is widening rapidly. Paralysis is pervasive. Political scientist Keith Poole of the University of Georgia, who studies voting patterns, told the National Journal: “We are clearly as conflicted as we’ve been since 1905. The parties are, I think, completely dysfunctional and incapable of acting on major policy.” The National Journal reports that as recently as 1999, more than half of...

The widow of the first British soldier killed in Iraq has praised George Bush for offering to meet with victims' families. Samantha Roberts, whose husband Sgt Steven Roberts was shot while trying to quell a riot, said it was ironic that it was the US President, and not Tony Blair, who had agreed to see UK war widows. She told Channel 4 News that she had met with Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, but it was not to discuss the ethics of the war. "I think it is quite ironic that Mr Bush is prepared to see the relatives but Mr...

Soldier's widow praises Bush The widow of the first British soldier killed in Iraq has praised George Bush for offering to meet with victims' families. Samantha Roberts, whose husband Sgt Steven Roberts was shot while trying to quell a riot, said it was ironic that it was the US President, and not Tony Blair, who had agreed to see UK war widows. She told Channel 4 News that she had met with Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon, but it was not to discuss the ethics of the war. "I think it is quite ironic that Mr Bush is prepared to see...

The army is investigating the death of a British soldier shot in Iraq after claims by colleagues that he had not been issued with the correct body armour. Sergeant Steven Roberts, 33, a tank commander with the Desert Rats, was shot in the chest during a riot near Zubayr, near Basra, on March 23. He was the first British soldier to be killed in action in the Iraq conflict. During the build-up to the invasion, many British soldiers had complained about kit shortages. A number told reporters that they had flak jackets but had not been given the ceramic plates...

Names of the four US Marines who died in yesterday's helicopter crash: Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, of Waterville, Maine Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, 30, of Bloomington, Ill. Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, of Houston, Texas Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Watersbey, 29, of Baltimore, Md. The Pentagon has just released the names of two more US Marines who were killed in Iraq. I'll post as soon as I find that.