The Morning Blog

Over at Foreign Policy, David Rothkopf explains some of the methods behind North Koreas madness. Lunacy and nuclear weapons truly are their only cash crop. Sadly, they're profitable ones.

Meanwhile, the nuclear-powered USS George Washington is heading that way from Tokyo. Going to be pretty nerve wracking to see what the North Korean response will be considering their penchant for brinkmanship. The Chinese have already voiced their displeasure over the US joining any sort of exercise, considering it a threat to the regional balance of power.

Looks as though Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, will survive until at least December when he's expected to step aside for new leadership. Whatever happens, I certainly hope that the Irish are able to maintain their extremely low corporate tax rate. It's helped them to become very competitive despite their current troubles. Worryingly, their fellow EU members seem to be implying that raising it may eventually be a condition of any sort of rescue package.

Remember the fake Taliban I mentioned in yesterdays Morning Blog? Historically speaking, here's the company he keeps.

For the record, His Highness, the Cazique of Poyais has nothing on Norton, Emperor of these United States and Protector of Mexico.

Today is Opt-Out Day. It's your chance to demonstrate to the TSA that security and privacy are not mutually exclusive. I'm going to lay off covering it today. I'd expect that there will be more on the day's protests tomorrow. At any rate, glad I'm not flying anywhere.

Oh, come now! Why?!?! For what possible reason is synthetic pot being put in the same category as cocaine and heroin? Please. Are we not failing the drug war enough already?

Gotta say it for my neighborhood, there's always something interesting going on.

I think this is really good news. I think that anti-personnel landmines are a truly irresponsible weapon that absolutely maim tens of thousands of civilians decades after the end of hostilities. And then I think about all the landmines separating North and South Korea and um...Well, right now things are a bit complicated, aren't they?

Your daily dose of SCIENCE!!!!: Flying snakes and the liquid universe.

Obviously, the proper authority in this case, is the Better Business Bureau.

I'm a big fan of British newspapers. Not just because they offer some of the most profoundly strange stories available but because I think it can be very valuable to examine ones politics through the eyes of others. And so...Here's the Guardian UKs round up of rants on the Right.

I have to admit that I was a little alarmed reading Hannity's comments at first. I tentatively agreed with his position, then he moved on to blow things out of proportion and finally, just dived off the deep end. I'm glad. I was reassured that he was still a crazy person. It means the universe is operating normally.

How do I get in on this job? I wanna judge beer. If anyone's interested, currently my fridge is full of Dogfish 60 Minute IPA (the house beer), Wychwood Hobgoblin Ale (bought my first case last night. Wonderful stuff by the by), and these teeny-tiny seven ounce Heineken bottles (don't like 'em. Make me feel like a giant when I hold them).

Hmmm..."Hey guys! As long as we're being top secret, we should make some totally bitchin' patches to wear on our jackets when we're out and about!"

That's it for the MoBlo. Certainly more cheerful news than there was yesterday though that's not saying much, I'm afraid.