Free Republic

MCCAIN: America this week faces an historic crisis in our financial system. We must pass legislation to address this crisis. If we do not, credit will dry up, with devastating consequences for our economy. People will no longer be able to buy homes and their life savings will be at stake. Businesses will not have enough money to pay their employees. If we do not act, ever corner of our country will be impacted. We cannot allow this to happen. Last Friday, I laid out my proposal and I have since discussed my priorities and concerns with the bill the...

From the New York Times (quote via email alert only). Republicans Suspend Most of Convention Activities Monday With Hurricane Gustav heading toward the Gulf Coast, Senator John McCain announced that Republican Party activities on Monday in St. Paul would be suspended except for necessary business. He called on his party members to "take off our Republican hats and put on out American hats."

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2006 – America and its allies have laid the groundwork for "an effective international response" if Iran chooses not to suspend its uranium enrichment program, President Bush said today. Yesterday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, at the President's instruction, announced that the United States wants to solve the Iranian nuclear issue with diplomacy. However, after welcoming the offer to talk, Iran rejected the demand that it first suspend its nuclear program. "The choice is theirs," Bush told reporters at the White House after a meeting with his Cabinet. "I want to solve this problem diplomatically, and...

BERLIN - The United States has told the European Union it needs more time to respond to media reports that the CIA set up secret jails in some European nations and transported terror suspects by covert flights, the top EU justice official said Monday. Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Franco Frattini also warned that that any of the 25 bloc nations found to have operated secret CIA prisons could have their EU voting rights suspended. The Council of Europe — the continent's main human rights watchdog — is investigating the allegations, and EU justice official Jonathan Faul last week formally...

Iran on Sunday rejected what it termed conditional negotiations with Europe over Tehran's nuclear program and said it wanted instead to have talks with the UN nuclear watchdog agency. FM spokesman 'Asefi' said any future nuclear negotiations would not include the USA, which contends Iran wants to build atomic weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is solely to produce electricity. "Since EU has demanded conditional negotiations, Iran will not accept that and negotiations won't be held," Asefi told reporters. "We are interested in negotiations and working with the IAEA, as our partner." Earlier this week Britain's Foreign Office said there...

Iran's outgoing President Mohammed Khatami says his government will resume some key nuclear work regardless of what European diplomats propose next month to defuse a dispute over Tehran's nuclear program. Mr. Khatami told reporters Wednesday, that Tehran will resume low-level uranium enrichment for use in power stations. Washington has accused Iran of trying to boost its enrichment process to create weapons grade material for use in warheads. Tehran denies the charges. Mr. Khatami gave no date for the restarting of enrichment activities, which were suspended late last year under pressure from the European Union and the United Nations. Britain, France...

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - A 35-nation meeting of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency on Saturday demanded that Iran suspend all aspects of uranium enrichment, setting an indirect November deadline for Tehran to heed its conditions. A resolution approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors said it "considers it necessary" that Iran freeze all uranium enrichment and related programs. It also said it "strongly urges" Iran to meet all demands by the agency in its investigation of the country's nearly two decades of clandestine nuclear activity, including unrestricted access to sites, information and personnel that can shed light...

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Iran has agreed in principle to temporarily stop some suspect activities that its critics allege are meant to make nuclear weapons, as it seeks to blunt censure at an upcoming U.N. meeting, diplomats said Tuesday. The diplomats, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the Islamic Republic tentatively agreed to re-impose a freeze on making, testing and assembling centrifuges used to enrich uranium. Uranium, enriched to high levels, can be used to make nuclear warheads. At lower levels, it can generate power, which Iran asserts is the only activity it is interested...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday suspended military assistance to nearly 50 countries, including Colombia and six nations seeking NATO membership, because they have supported the International Criminal Court and failed to exempt Americans from possible prosecution. As the deadline passed for governments to sign exemption agreements or face the suspension of military aid, President Bush issued waivers for 22 countries. But the 22 countries did not include Colombia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Colombia, where the government is fighting leftist guerrillas and drug traffickers, has been one of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid...

Today, public schools across North America are often faced with rebellious, unruly students. This phenomenon reflects a mismanagement of the school's code of discipline. There is no standard interpretation of discipline within our public education system. Many schools see discipline as something harsh, punitive and old-fashioned. They want school to be a friendly place that is fun and exciting for the students, without rules to stifle individuality. Paradoxically, school can be fun and exciting for students only when they are learning something worthwhile, and when they feel confident because they know their place and are familiar with the rules of...