Free Republic

CHINA has reportedly placed its military on "high alert" as state controlled media warned Taiwan of a looming "doomsday" amid fears of invasion. Beijing and Taipei are feared to be sitting on the brink of a conflict which could end up drawing in the US and potentially spiralling into World War 3. Both sides have traded barbs - and now China has issued some of its most strongly worded threats to date as it vows to "reunify" with the separatist island that has claimed independence since 1949. Chinese defense ministry spokesman Tan Kefei described Beijing's military as an "high alert"...

Restaurant Rules Hello. Hi, table for two, please. Sure, and your name. Jessie. Great. And do you and your guest have your vaccination cards? We do. Can you tell us who our server will be? Um, looks like Brad will be your server tonight. Great. Can you show us Brad's vaccination card? Um... And also, can you provide me with proof that Brad is not a carrier of HIV, Hepatitis A or B, or any other communicable diseases? Um... Also, we would prefer not to be served by someone who is on or uses recreational drugs such as marijuana, cocaine,...

Guards at Tomb of the Unknowns Stand Tall Fri Sep 19, 3:03 AM ET By SHARON THEIMER, Associated Press Writer ARLINGTON, Va. - As the winds from Hurricane Isabel swept over Arlington National Cemetery, the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns were given — for the first time in history — permission to abandon their posts and seek shelter. "They told us that. But that's not what's going to happen," said Sgt. Christopher Holmes, standing vigil on overnight duty. "That's never an option for us. It went in one ear and right out the other." The monument was...