25 May 2006

International Cooperation

I was reading about the UN Security Council where I learned of the G4 nations, which consists of India, Germany, Brazil, and Japan. These four nations all believe they should have permanent seats on the UNSC, and each supports the bids of the other three countries. My question, which I posed to my roommate Daniel McLaughlin, is "What makes Brazil think it is on par with any of the Security Council nations, or even the other members of G4?" At least India has nukes.

Then Daniel pointed out something much more astute, and much more troubling. We're pretty sure that the last time Japan and Germany cooperated on something regarding the international balance of power, things didn't end well.

22 May 2006

Quote of the Time Being

"All these damn notes we're writing to each other as if we're talking, as if the FBI is watching."
-Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) while
accepting $100,000 of FBI money,
speaking to FBI informant who was
wearing FBI recording mic during
FBI bribery sting.