Free Republic

For Donald Trump, politics and entertainment are intertwined and often synonymous. His remarkable success at both makes his latest missteps especially puzzling because Trump is committing the cardinal sin of both: He’s become boring. The ultimate shock jock is now predictable. Wind him up and watch him throw a garbage can full of insults at anyone who won’t kiss the ring. Ho-hum. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin are getting the Trump treatment now. Both are rising Republican stars, so naturally the former president trashes and demeans them. Can’t be competition for top dog. Long gone is...

by Alan McBride The last day before the Florida primary left the contest very much up for grabs between Newt Gingrich and rival Mitt Romney. Less than 24 hours after a poll taken by Quinnipiac University showed Newt Gingrich trailing Romney by 14 points, a new poll showed late-breaking and heavy movement in favor of the former House Speaker. According to the InsiderAdvantage poll of 646 likely Republican voters, Gingrich was just five points behind Romney, and the gap was closing.

NAIROBI (AFP) – US Vice President Joe Biden met southern Sudan's leader in Nairobi Wednesday and also held talks on troubled Somalia after urging Kenya to reclaim its place as the region's force for peace. On the second leg of his trip to Africa, Biden delivered a positive message to Kenya's leaders and promised substantial economic rewards if political reforms were implemented. Biden later held talks with officials from southern Sudan, where a referendum on self-determination that could cause major upheaval in the region is scheduled for January. Biden and US envoy to Sudan Scott Gration met with Southern Sudan...

Recessions tend to be discussed mostly in broad, sweeping, generic terms. Either the recession is a blessing in disguise or, more frequently, an avoidable catastrophe from which you will never recover. In reality, recessions may have a huge impact, moderate impact, or virtually no impact on you depending on your skills, priorities and station in life. The only way to prepare yourself is to know the relevant facts as they relate to you. To that end, BillShrink has researched the 10 most volatile careers to be in during any recession. If you’re in one, tread carefully or consider changing careers....

WASHINGTON - Commanders in Iraq have decided to begin the drawdown of U.S. forces in volatile Diyala province, marking a turning point in the U.S. military mission, The Associated Press has learned. Instead of replacing the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division, which is returning to its home base at Fort Hood, Texas, in December, soldiers from another brigade in Salahuddin province next door will expand into Diyala, thereby broadening its area of responsibility, several officials said Tuesday. In this way, the number of Army ground combat brigades in Iraq will fall from 20 to 19. This reflects President...

Stung Lung: Volatile chemical may cut respiratory capacity Ben Harder A chemical in some air fresheners and pest-control products may slightly impair lung function in millions of people, a nationwide study suggests. The compound, para-dichlorobenzene, is used to make mothballs, urinal deodorizers, and air-freshening blocks for household use. At room temperature, the strong-smelling chemical gradually changes from a solid to a gas. Para-dichlorobenzene was previously detected in the blood of more than 95 percent of the participants tested in a U.S. study called NHANES III. Scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, N.C., looked...