To a considerable degree, the federal Farm Bill of 2007 - which, five months into 2008 has yet to be passed by Congress - is a welfare program for millionaires. President George W. Bush calls it wasteful and promises to veto it when it hits his desk. He's right, but it's not an easy call. The $280 billion bill sets policy for both farm payments and nutrition programs for the next five years. The compromise ... [full story]

NEW RELEASES SON OF RAMBOW - The first thing to know about "Son of Rambow": It has about as much to do with Rambo as Dirty Harry does with "Harry Potter" or as Rocky Balboa does with flying squirrels. The second thing to know about "Son of Rambow": It recalls so many other films, you can count the cultural footnotes on your fingers and tributes on your toes. Set in the   'SON OF RAMBOW' - ... [full story]

The first thing to know about "Son of Rambow": It has about as much to do with Rambo as Dirty Harry does with "Harry Potter" or as Rocky Balboa does with flying squirrels. The second thing to know about "Son of Rambow": It recalls so many other films, you can count the cultural footnotes on your fingers and tributes on your toes.   'SON OF RAMBOW' - Jules Sitruk, middle, stars in the comedy/drama 'Son of ... [full story]

Breathtaking panoramas of southern India and cinematic strokes of artistry fill "Before the Rains." Noted cinematographer and director Santosh Sivan captures memorable images of Kerala, his home state. Set in 1937 against the backdrop of Indian opposition to British colonialism, the film revolves around Henry, an English tea plantation owner and his right-hand man, Neela.   'BEFORE THE RAINS' - Linus Roache, left, and Rahul Bose star in the drama 'Before the Rains.' CNS Photo courtesy ... [full story]

On May 2, the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed what we have known for a long time - the American economy is weak and growing weaker. As summer approaches, we are faced with the fact that during the past two months, more than 100,000 Americans have lost their jobs - 80,000 in March and another 20,000 in April. In fact, this year has seen a steady erosion of employment with a total loss of a ... [full story]

The media have been telling us to watch the gun-control case now before the U.S. Supreme Court, where we await a decision about Americans' Second Amendment rights. But the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals just handed down an equally important gun decision that has additional implications against judicial supremacy. The court, which convenes in New York City, shot down the longtime liberal dream of achieving gun control by suing gun manufacturers for crimes committed ... [full story]

When I was narrowly elected to Congress in 1962, the good folk of La Mesa, Calif., were not jumping for joy. I lost that suburban city by 1,200 votes, the most lopsided margin in my entire San Diego County district against sending a Democrat to Washington. I reasoned that my chances in the next election might well turn on changing minds in La Mesa. A group that ran the local Helix Irrigation District persuaded me ... [full story]

As I prepare to travel to Israel this June - my second mission for the American-Israeli Friendship League and the Israel Finance Ministry - I also will be participating in the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Israel's historic independence. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians are protesting what they call the "nakba," or the catastrophe, of Israel's birth. Historically and politically, I agree with Winston Churchill, who said on March 29, 1929, in a tree-planting ceremony ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. – A 76-year old Bend woman was seriously injured and flown by helicopter to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after her vehicle crossed the centerline of Highway 97 south of Bend late Thursday afternoon, hit a semi-truck and trailer, then collided almost head-on with a pickup. According to a news release prepared by Deschutes County Sheriff’s Lt. Myrna Homan and Deputy Kevin Turpen, the investigation is continuing to determine the cause of the ... [full story]

NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Republican Party has released an online video of Michelle Obama saying she felt proud of the United States "for the first time in my adult life."Obama said her words were taken out of context in the video and her husband's presidential campaign said the attack was "shameful," CNN reported."While Mrs. Obama has trouble being proud of the country where she earned degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Law School and then ... [full story]