RE: Mexico Debates the Merits of The Drug War

How subtly appropriate that on the most festive and spiritual of our national holidays, that a Dallas Morning News front page article July Fourth should talk of the problems for Mexican democracy of our drug problem. As has often been observed, "Prohibition" ended not because alcohol use had become passe` but because illegal profits were creating a parallel government which threatened our democracy.
The contradiction between the ideals of the Untied States, embodied in our laws, and practice, evident in our consumption of those drugs the possession and not the consumption of which is made illegal represents a similar threat to democracy in Mexico and the Andes. By our supreme ideal enunciated on this day that 'all men are created equal,' we are at fault for exporting the undermining of democracy to these nations.

Good Cop Ahmadinejad, Will You Publish the NY Times?

It's hard not to feel how sympatico the Iranian government is with us Americans in our little current conflict. Who among us cannot relate to the equivalent conversations: American family, "Where do you want to go eat?" Iranian Students in Search of Martyrdom and 40 Virgins Association member, "Which embassy do you want to take over?" American answer, "I want to go to Steak 'n Shake." Iranian answer, "I want to take over the Russian embassy." After driving around for a little while, an American passssenger says, "I didn't want to go to Chili's. It costs too much;" the Iranian says, "When I become president of Iran, I cannot be responsible for the Americans being angry that I overran their embassy, mistreated the hostages and started Nightline."