Free Republic

YORKTOWN, Va. (WAVY) — An annual lighted boat parade in Virginia that’s usually a fun holiday tradition has been marked with controversy this year. The winner has been stripped of his trophy because of the political messaging on his boat. Capt. Bill Berger won with his “Let’s Go Brandon”-themed boat over the weekend in Yorktown. “Let’s Go Brandon” and “FJB,” both of which appeared on the boat in lights, are phrases used to criticize President Joe Biden. “My boat was best in show to the crowd,” said Berger. “They had the awards ceremony, and they presented me winning the best...

The Vatican, commenting on a series of satirical newspaper cartoons that have outraged Muslims, said freedom of expression does not include the right to offend religious sentiments.... The Vatican statement, without getting into the details of the cartoons, said "freedom of thought or expression ... cannot imply a right to offend the religious sentiments of believers," no matter what the religion....

WASHINGTON (AP) The White House has agreed to accept Sen. John McCain's proposal to ban cruel treatment of terrorism detainees, congressional officials said. Yahoo E-Mail Alert. Looking for whole story.

House GOP leaders have decided to drop an Arctic oil drilling proposal from a budget bill.

PHILADELPHIA - A city councilman who is the target of a federal investigation sought psychiatric care Thursday after being escorted down from City Hall's observation deck by the police commissioner. Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and Mayor John Street, who was the first to speak with Councilman Rick Mariano near the top of the towering building, would not characterize Mariano as suicidal. "I don't think he had an idea that all of this would result from it," Street said at a news conference following the incident that lasted about two hours. Johnson said Mariano checked himself into Pennsylvania Hospital. A dramatic emergency...

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History has withdrawn its co-sponsorship of a showing later this month of a film that supports the theory of "intelligent design." The museum said it would not cancel the screening of the film, "The Privileged Planet," but would return the $16,000 that the Discovery Institute, an organization that promotes a skeptical view of the Darwinian theory of evolution, had paid it. Proposals for events at the National Museum of Natural History are reviewed by members of the staff, and it shares sponsorship of all events. After the news of the showing caused controversy,...

For Immediate ReleaseMarch 26, 2005 President's Radio Address      Audio THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend, millions of Americans celebrate the joyous holiday of Easter. Easter is the most important event of the Christian faith, when people around the world join together with family and friends to celebrate the power of love conquering death. At Easter time we pray for all who serve in our military. The outstanding members of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are keeping America secure and advancing liberty in the world. We remember especially those who have given their lives in...

Political operatives on both sides of the aisle are discussing the 2008 election as if it were only days away. But this seemingly premature preoccupation is hardly a dismissal of the important issues facing President Bush in his second term. Rather, this talk of the next presidential race is representative of the pivotal changes in the political landscape that occurred last November. Unfortunately, the forces of “moderation” are still at work within the GOP, threatening to undermine the tremendous gains made by conservatives in the elections. Arnold Schwarzenegger contends that the Republican Party should move “to the center” (which means...