To believe that political scandals and idiot politicians are emblematic of America you would be wrong. For as anyone knows politicians the world over have this ability to live life with the blinders on unable to see anything but themselves.
Taro Aso Japan's current Prime Minister and the third in 3 years is just such a person. In a recent NHK poll Prime Minister Aso had an approval rating of 18% and no that is not a mistake whereas his disapproval was 76%. Richard Nixon wasn't that unpopular at the time of his resignation. Aso is as popular as Wall Streets Corporate Masters. Rush Limbaugh is more popular.
Then there is this guy who given his current situation one would conclude that Beavis and Butthead were Mensa members.
Ichiro Ozawa is currently the leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) which is the largest opposition party in Japan.
Ozawa's Chief of Staff was arrested last Tuesday for excepting direct donations from Nishimatsu Construction Co. which is a violation of Japanese election law. Ichiro Ozawa like Taro Aso seems to live on planet "I'm stupid" considering what he is facing. Just today he held a news conference expressing contrition over the current scandal. Denies knowing anything about these donations, yet you know he's lying.
North Korea holds an election: Which I know followed closely. What all those dairies about whose ahead and behind in the polls. Along with numerous flame wars. OK so you really didn't. North Korea did hold an election on Sunday elect its next "Parliament", since all the candidates were handpicked and everyone voted the correct way it held all the excitement of a paint drying contest.
Staying with North Korea because there's just so much entertainment value. Starting this week and continuing until the end of this month the U.S. and South Korea will their annual joint military training exorcises. As usual the threats from North Korea are coming fast and furious. Like last Friday when they threatened the safety of commercial airlines if there was interference with the launch of a "satellite".
Sri Lanka has been fighting a civil war since 1982 for most of that time nether side had the military power for an outright military victory that all changed in January when the Sri Lankan military captured several key Tamil Tiger strong holds. Today, with those military victories large numbers of civilianshave become trapped between the two opposing forces. The Tamil Tigers are along with the government because one side the Tigers fear complete defeat by Sri Lanka's government while the government fears rebels will blend in with refugees and escape.