Romney may be making his contribution to America by highlighting a good hiking trail. I think Romney is showing off. The comments about him are positive. I think maybe Romney here gives me an insight into Mormonism as a super Protestantism. The Calvinists saw God as having an elect; and it was by faith that you might be a member. No works, i.e. charity, were required. So ostentatious displays of material success show that you are part of the elect. Inriguining that those following and commenting on Ann Althouse's blog, she being raised, I speculate, as a secular Jew, are of that persuasion.

A new government for Gaza

A government that deliberately puts children next to offensive rockets for the purpose of their being killed as propaganda pieces is committing a war crime. Hamas has shown itself thus criminal and an improper government, the UN an unreliable interlocutor. Ideally the Israelis should remove Hamas and give the territory to the Egyptians, who have done the only surprising thing in this conflict, blowing up Hamas tunnels or allow the people there to choose another protectorate such as the Arab League.

Great article on the Brazil vs. Columbia soccer game.