I Know! Let's Blame China!

Today's New York Times contains a history lesson. Mark Landler explains how China caused America's financial meltdown by loaning the U. S. money that American's spent on Chinese goods over the course of the past decade (or two). In 2005, now Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke explained that the "problem … was not that Americans spend too much, but that foreigners save too much," according to Landler. "The Chinese have piled up so much excess savings that they lend money to the United States at low rates, underwriting American consumption," Landler states in explaining Bernanke's theory. Obviously the key here is that the Chinese should have been spending more of their money and loaning the U. S. less.

Bringing Democracy to Afghanistan:

The latest weapon of choice in winning Afghan's tribal leaders over to the American way includes the controlled disimination of … are you ready for this? … Viagra! Yes, while Afghans grow poppies for the American heroin market, American CIA agents are passing out the little blue pills of Viagra to tribal chiefs with multiple wives to please. You can read all about it in today's Washington Post.