Excerpt: "Seoul also has expressed concern about U.S. statements that it would like a more "regional" role for its forces. If China engaged Taiwan, policy-makers are worried that South Korea could inadvertently be drawn into a conflict if U.S. forces were dispatched from here."

Don't worry SK, China is coming after your economic growth bases anyway. -Pk

S. Korea unwilling to update U.S. plan

Just a confirmation that they're going to harvest spent fuel rods for reprocessing. I'm sure hundreds of stories will follow. -Pk

N Korea suspends work of its only nuclear reactor

Excerpt: "While American stubborn denial, and often a belittling public denouncing, especially of Serb sources, that al-Qaeda is in Kosovo may be politically motivated, it is, nevertheless, fueling delusional belief among Albanian public that al-Qaeda is not among them."

Lengthy and has a number of links to background. And the author's bio/archive link has a couple of other stories worth glancing at if time provides. Cheers, -Pk

Al Qaeda in Kosovo

Excerpt: ""Having made America a bilingual--bicultural country, having established multiculturalism, having the large foundations fund the doctrine of 'Victimology', I would next make it impossible to enforce our immigration laws. I would develop a mantra: "That because immigration has been good for America, it must ALWAYS be good. I would make every individual immigrant sympatric and ignore the cumulative impact of millions of them.""

It's an interesting read whether you agree or not. -Pk

How to Destroy America

Excerpt: "Over a period of several years, the CIA assembled a group of South American informants who were in contact with Iranians there. "We dangled our people out there and the Iranians recruited us," the former official said."

I can't think of one Iranian I know who lives or lived in South America though. -Pk

CIA SPY RING: Had eye on Iran until al-Qaida became priority

Excerpt: " The best way to reduce the American dependence on foreign oil and the country's overall oil consumption would be to supplement market forces by raising the price of gasoline gradually, perhaps by increasing the federal gasoline tax by 25 cents each year for eight consecutive years."

Umm. Suuuuuurrreeeee that'd be a good thing. Kinda like the ciggy tax and the ciggy settlements that people are dependant on like crack. Read the whole article for proper context... -Pk

Even costlier oil would help U.S.

Excerpt: "FactCheck.org also takes no position on whether private accounts (or "personal" accounts, as the President and Rep. McCrery prefer to call them) are a good idea or a bad idea. But the claim that they would be a bonanza for Wall Street is one that just doesn't square with the facts."

Just interesting information. Cheers, -Pk

False Attacks Over 'Windfalls' to Wall Street

Excerpt: "In a 5-4 ruling that cited the “overwhelming weight of international opinion,” the high court declared unconstitutional the death penalty for those under the age of 18 when they committed their crimes."

International opinion? Umm. Since when was international opinion a ~formal~ basis for the U.S. Supreme Court? I might just have to search LexisNexis for any prior rulings with that wording. Hrmm. Cheers, -Pk

US court closes world’s last juvenile death row

Excerpt: "The U.S. government has long used a strategic influence policy to promote its national security interests. The war on terrorism is no different. Conducting this war effectively requires our government to dissuade terrorists from attacking the United States, divert youths from joining terrorist groups, and persuade the leaders of states and nongovernmental institutions to withhold support for terrorists."

I read the summary (five meat pages) so far and I think it's worth a look. I just started reading the full paper's case studies and they provide historical perspective. Cheers, -Pk

Dissuading Terror

Excerpt: "Then their cell phones chimed in. As Detective Kevin Doran tried to silence the rings, he noticed one had interesting wallpaper - a picture of one of the suspects holding an AK-47."

*shakes head* -Pk

Suspect’s cell phone rings in on missing assault rifle case