Seems to me the de-escalation of tensions in Latin America was a big win for Colombia and a defeat for Chavez. Potential evidence that Venezuela and Ecuador had been assisting the FARC with substantial money in addition to safe haven just outside Colombia is highly damaging to Chavez and Correa. Uribe comes out on top with even stronger approval ratings in his own country. FARC is nothing more than a narco-terrorist gang. They are not romantic revolutionaries. They are murdering thugs. But then again so was Che Guevara. The Free Trade Agreement between the US and Colombia should be ratified immediately!
McCain's gaffe on vaccine links to autism is problematic. But then again so is his belief in the linkage of man-made CO2 to global warming. Either way, at least he's not as idiotic on national security and economic matters as Obama or Hillary. . .don't even get me stated on Jeremiah Wright.
McCain/Romney? I could get behind that.
Apparently German law bars American PhD's from being addressed as "doctor". Oh well - as a friend once said: "I don't care what my title is, so long as I'm paid the most!"
Bush's speech before the Economic Club of New York this week was brilliant. . .If he could run again for a 3rd term, I'd vote for him over any of the current crop of candidates. . .oh and the news from Iraq is better too! Here's a key section of the speech on the economy:
In a free market, there's going to be good times and bad times. That's how markets work. There will be ups and downs. And after 52 consecutive months of job growth, which is a record, our economy obviously is going through a tough time. I want to remind you, this is not the first time since I've been the president that we've faced economic challenges. We inherited a recession, and then there were the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, which many of you saw firsthand, and I made the difficult decisions to confront the terrorists and extremists on two major fronts: Afghanistan and Iraq. And then we had devastating natural disasters. And the interesting thing, every time this economy has bounced back better and stronger than before. So I'm coming to you as an optimistic fellow.
Just great.
Dollar/Yen hit 100 - is that good or bad??? well at least I am paid in Yen!
As for the current political landscape in Japan? well. . .why bother. . .same old same old. But spring is in the air and the cherry blossoms will soon be out in Tokyo. I can't wait!
