Quoted:Corruption is still a big problem in most Eastern European countries, even after they joined the EU. The biggest failure, on the EU side, was to take for granted that once these countries adopt the EU legislation, their judicial systems will function exactly like in Western Europe. But in a Communist regime, the judiciary is a mere political tool. And by keeping all those judges and prosecutors who were trained in Communist times and have a distorted view of the rule of law, these countries cannot function properly.

Quoted: Farmers and consumers in poor countries are now paying the price now for decisions made by well-fed Westerners, as reported by my colleagues Keith Bradsher and Andrew Martin in their front-page article on cutbacks in financing for agricultural research. They explain how the Green Revolution faltered after Western governments and agencies slashed funds for agricultural research, partly to shift money to other areas, like environmental projects, and partly because of opposition to high-yield agriculture from advocacy groups.

Pretty funny and sad.

Quoted: Patient 'removed' from waiting list to meet target - A LOTHIAN woman was told she was being taken off a consultant's waiting list so the target 18-week waiting time for treatment could be met, it was claimed today.<br />

Interesting.

Quoted: Why do well-meaning laws backfire?

government out of control.

Interesting..

Quoted:Democrats like to define themselves as the party of poor and middle-income Americans, but a new study says they now represent the majority of the nation's wealthiest congressional districts.

I don't understand this. He wants to raise taxes a lot but is not going to spend the money on things that would fight global warming.

Quoted: WASHINGTON -- Dealing with global warming will be painful, says one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress. To back up his claim he is proposing a recipe many people won't like _ a 50-cent gasoline tax, a carbon tax and scaling back tax breaks for some home owners.