Efficacy of International Law

As one could almost expect, here is another bit of evidence that the theoretical foundation of International Law is being serious eroded, like a limestone sculpture, built fifty years ago, but now after being left outside exposed to the elements, the statue is hardly recognizable. Instead of being a finely crafted work of legal art, the corpus of international law is abstract, in that it requires people to take a logical leap over the chasm of Westphalian sovereignty, like a leap of faith to land in the perfect world where nation-states will actually impede their own political objectives for the sake of doing the right thing. The United Nations has already compromised to the sovereign interests of nation-states for the sake of allowing the Trade Ban to retain a semblance of revelance.

As I see it, there is something serious morally culpable about this whole affair. Elephants are not citizens, and therefore not entitled to protection. However, in the interconnected nature of reality, the loss of these elephants and their continued decimation in countries, such as Zambia, for the sake of ivory consumers in China and Japan, will have drastic effects on the environment, economy, and society of those countries who continue to ignore the 1989 Ivory Trade Ban.

There is more to follow, as the rage moves me.

Behold the Power of Our Great Sith Lord, Darth Mechanicus

Yesterday, during his "light persuasion" tour of the Eastern Periphery, impudent rebel scum attempted to stage an attack on Darth Mechanicus. Characteristically undaunted, Darth Mechanicus was quoted as saying that he remained unfazed by the assault, but that the rebels would soon feel the fear that they attempted to inflict upon him. After the incident was resolved, the imperially sanctioned news sources reported that several citizens were killed by the bombing, including the deluded wretch who served as the delivery device. Later in the day, disinformation sources reported that as many as fifteen sub-national units of labor were also lost in the attack.

Reports that Darth Mechanicus intercepted the suicide bomber at the gate and killed him using his mastery of the Force could not be confirmed at press time, but are in keeping with previously published reports of his awesome powers.

Snapshots from February 22nd

Iran and the Persian Gulf

So, just as the UN issues a report about the status of Iran's compliance with IAEA regulations and certain Security Council Resolutions, the John C. Stennis arrives in the Persian Gulf, adding a second aircraft carrier to already pre-positioned military forces. Coincidence? The truth is written in the winds...

The DRC

If this is what peace looks like, it is small wonder that the DRC is the virtuous and stable nation-state that it is today.

Hatchetmen Watch

Like beggars from an 'old money' family, Treasury Secretary Paulson will go to the Middle Kingdom （中国）to ask the great comptrollers to cut off the tap, as though it were in their long-term interest to do so. For all of you keeping score at home, the shift towards foreign ownership of U.S. Treasury bonds should come as no surprise. *cough*15.7%*cough*

By virtue of this being the third such trip alone, this trip illustrates the importance of altering the current economic relationship between the U.S. and China.

Ear to the Ground

A rare glimpse of hope, but nonetheless 是镜花水月的.