NEWS: Cold War II?

*Posted August 14, 2008*

Russia's recent invasion of Georgia has caused the U.S. to stop all military to military activities with them. What happens in the coming months could affect U.S. - Russia relations for years and years to come. The White House has condemned the invasion and some say that the Russians should be punished for what they are doing. Russia says that those responisble for their invasion have been punished appropriately. A cease fire has been signed that keeps the Georgian borders intact, but offers many concessions to the Russian government. But with the U.S. re-examining all relations, I suppose their is a chance that another Cold War is on the horizon.

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Leading Economic Indicators

The U.S. government's $100 billion stimulus distributed to taxpayers this spring achieved mixed results, according to economists, but at least the Internet pornography industry flourished (according to a July trade association spokesman). Adult Internet Market Research Co. reported that "20 to 30 percent" of "adult" Web sites reported that sales rose during the time checks were being issued. However, Nevada brothels were suffering, even though Hof's Bunny Ranch ran a stimulus-check special: Hand over your $600 check and get the usual $1,200 "party" ("three girls and a bottle of champagne"). [AIMR press release, 7-2-08] [Newsweek, 6-16-08]

Least Competent Corrections Department

In July, convicted drug dealer Marcus Anderson opened the door of the Corrections Department van taking him to court, climbed out and walked away into downtown Baltimore. It was an ordinary van without a prisoner cage and whose driver had no gun, handcuffs, phone or radio (because Anderson had arrived late at the pick-up point for the regular prisoner van). An exasperated Judge Charles Bernstein later asked whether the driver had given him bus tokens, too. "If I were a young enterprising criminal," said the judge, "I'd come to Baltimore to set up my practice. This is the place to be. This is the Promised Land." [Baltimore Sun, 7-3-08]