Free Republic

Hamas thanked Vladimir Putin for his support for the “Palestinian cause” as the terror group released a Russian hostage from the Gaza Strip on Sunday afternoon. It said its release of a Russian citizen from the war-ravaged territory was made in appreciation of the position taken by Moscow’s position on the conflict with Israel. “In response to the efforts of Russian president Putin and in appreciation of the Russian position in support of the Palestinian cause, we released a detainee who holds Russian citizenship,” Hamas said.

Donald J. Trump ‏@realDonaldTrump 26m26 minutes ago I was asked about healthcare by Anderson Cooper & have been consistent- I will repeal all of #ObamaCare, including the mandate, period. I was referring to a backstop for pre-existing conditions. I will eliminate the law, in its entirety, & replace it w/ something much better. I will replace it with private plans, health savings accounts, & allow purchasing across state lines. Maximum choice & freedom for consumer. I'm self-funding and I am going to take care of the people – not the special interests and insurance companies like the other candidates. Remember,...

In the aftermath of the deadly assault on the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical newspaper, much of the world has rallied in solidarity with the publication, its irreverent cartoonists and their right to free speech. But not everyone is so supportive. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, a U.S. organization that "defends the rights of Catholics," issued a statement titled "Muslims are right to be angry." In it, Donohue criticized the publication's history of offending the world's religiously devout, including non-Muslims. The murdered Charlie Hebdo editor Stephane Charbonnier "didn’t understand the role he played in his [own]...

Obama Calls Cambridge Police Officer, Invites him for a Beer with Gates at the White House July 24, 2009 3:29 PM ABC News' Yunji de Nies, Sunlen Miller and Sarah Tobianski report: President Obama made his second surprise appearance before press in the briefing room to address what he called the “media frenzy” over his comments on the Skip Gates case. “The fact that it has garnered so much attention, I think, is a testimony to the fact that these are issues that are still very sensitive here in America,” The President said, “And, you know, so to the extent...

NEW YORK A not especially eventful press briefing at the White House today turned rancorous with NBC's David Gregory telling Press Secretary Tony Snow, "Don't point your finger at me," and Snow accusing the newsman of being "rude" and delivering Democratic talking points. Earlier, speaking to reporters, Snow, continuing the administration's media focus on the war on terror, accused "some in the Democratic Party" of saying "we shouldn't fight the war" and "we shouldn't apprehend al-Qaeda" or even "question al-Qaeda." Snow got into a tussle with Gregory after the NBC journalist told him, in a lengthy remark, that the public...

Judge says doctor has the right to insult patients 09:27 AM CDT on Thursday, August 3, 2006 Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. -- The state Board of Medicine voted to dismiss its disciplinary case against a doctor accused of telling a patient she was so obese she might only be attractive to black men and advising another to shoot herself following brain surgery. The board's decision Wednesday essentially lets stand a judge's decision that Dr. Terry Bennett was within his rights to say things that might be offensive. "That's wonderful," said Bennett's lawyer, Benjamin King. "I look forward to receiving the...

John F. Kerry has a filbuster petition.

<p>WASHINGTON(AP) - Bill Simon, the Republican nominee for governor of California, is finding no shortage of critics within his own party.</p> <p>On Thursday, Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee, singled out Simon's bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Gray Davis as the party's worst campaign anywhere.</p>