Free Republic

We have commented on actor Tom Cruise using the media to preach the virtues of Scientology and the evils of psychiatry. He gave interviews about his new film, "War of the Worlds," as long as he was permitted to talk about his religion. But Scientology not only has a base in Hollywood, it has enjoyed powerful friends in Washington. For years, Scientology fought a battle with the IRS because the government would not recognize its claim to be a religion. The IRS finally granted Scientology its desired status under President Bill Clinton, the recipient of massive donations from Hollywood. Now...

If members of this present generation had been present at the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence, one cannot help but wonder how they would have behaved and what they would have said or written. “Liberals” would most certainly have voiced not just concerns, but opposition to the “Declaration” because it might lead to war. They would have taken issue with the enumeration of grievances, because their enumeration would likely offend the “crown.” In fact, a declaration of independence would most certainly lead to heavy-handed retaliation, destruction of property, and killing of innocent civilians to put the down...

With Hollywood desperately trying to end its 14-week box office slump, the release of superstar Tom Cruise's newest summer blockbuster ought to guarantee a big payday. But the star's erratic behavior lately - including a love-struck appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" with new girlfriend Katie Holmes and his out-there promotion of the Church of Scientology - could backfire and turn off the huge potential audience for the costly science-fiction epic "War of the Worlds" being released June 29 by Paramount Pictures, industry experts said Thursday. "He just seems so outside himself and so bizarre," said brand and image consultant...

KENNESAW - The museum at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is scheduled to reopen Saturday.It has been closed since 1997 to undergo renovations.A national park ranger and curator - Retha Stephens - says the park strived to take the museum a step beyond the ordinary.The museum in Marietta uses artifacts from the battle and a new documentary to examine Union Major General William Tecumseh Sherman's complete trip through Georgia.The films and exhibits consider the effects of battle not only on Union and Confederate troops but also on citizens.A timeline stretching from the rumblings of a Civil War to Union...

GULFPORT (AP) -- Harrison County will not remove the Confederate battle flag from a display on the beach, a majority of supervisors say.Protests began about a week ago. An Alcorn State University student, who has staged a sit-in at the beach monument on the Biloxi-Gulfport line, says he will not leave until the Rebel flag comes down.Anti- and pro-Rebel flag protests over the county's display, which have been staged on and off for years, started again last week after the sit-in began.Last week, the county placed eight flags, including the Confederate battle banner, below the eight American flags that have...