Mideast turmoil

So clearly, the turmoil that started in Tunisia has spread. Now massive protests are breaking out in Egypt and to a lesser extent, Algeria and Jordan. One thing these nations have in common is that they are autocratic "democracies". In Tunisia, the former President was in office for years before the protests toppeled him. Now Hosini Mubarak in Egypt is facing the largest protests in Egypr in many years. However, the Egyptian president will likley survive this round, he's already deployed the army. However, this will not quell popular unrest, it could flare up again in a bit. News has also just filtered in from Jordan that minor protests have broken out asking King Hussein for political reforms. Hussein, one of the more moderate rulers of the area will also survive these disruptions.

Seeing as revolution is contagious, I think protests might break out in
Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran. Most of these rulers will use force to defend their positions. the next few weeks might be deadly in the Middle East, these countries need to be closely monitored, and if the governments are toppled, then a moderate government needs to be installed, fast. Anarchic conditions are prime territory for Islamo-Fascist and Radical groups to act. Islamists have acted up in Tunisia, one of the secular nations of the Arab World. Watch this situation, we might be seeing the end of autocratic regimes in the Middle East.

CNN has been covering the Egyptian situation extremely well: http://www.cnn.com/
BBC also does a good job: http://www.bbc.co.uk/

The republican field just narrowed

Literally seconds ago, Mike Pence of Indiana announced he WILL NOT run for President in 2012. Scratch one. we seem to be days away from Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee announcing their decisions.

The field stands like this for 2012

Democrats:
Pro-Life activist Randall Terry of NY
President Barack Obama (Unannounced as of yet, but a 99.9% chance of running)

Republicans
Talk show host Herman Craig of GA
Political Consultant Fred Karger of CA
Jimmy McMillian of NY (The Rent is Too Damn High)

The United States of Shame :(

Well, this is depressing. Each state is labeled by what they're worst at

AK- Highest suicide rate

AL- Highest rates of stroke

AR- State with the worst credit score 

AZ- Highest rate of alcoholism

CA- Worst air pollution

CO- Highest cocaine use

CT- Highest rate of breast cancer

DE- Most abortions

FL- Highest rate of identity theft

GA- Highest rate of illness

HI- Highest cost of living

IA- Highest average age

ID- Lowest level of government control (how did you calculate this?)

IL- Highest rate of robbery

IN- Least "green" state (subjective)

KS- Lowest general public health

KY-Highest number of cancer-related deaths

LA- Highest incidence of gonorrhea

MA- Worst drivers (Nope, FL or VA takes that title)

MD- Highest incidence of AIDS

ME- Lowest average IQ

MI- Highest unemployment (outdated?)

MN- Highest number of Tornadoes (really?)

MO- Highest rate of bankruptcy

MS- Most obese state

MT- Highest rate of drunk driving

NC- Lowest teacher salary

ND- Ugliest residents (subjective)

NH- Highest corporate taxes (this is a bad thing?)

NE- Highest rate of violence on females

NJ- Highest taxes

NM- Most anti-social (subjective)

NV- Highest crime rate

NY- Longest commute (agreed)

PA- Highest rate of arson

OH- Nerdiest state (opinion)

OK- Highest number of female criminals

OR- Highest homeless population

RI- Highest rate of drug use (Brown U?)

SC- Most mobile homes (this is bad?)

SD- Most rapes

TN- Most corrupt state (really?, I think this is subjective)

TX- Lowest rate of high school graduation

UT- Highest porn usage (hypocrites)

VA- Highest number of motorcycle-related deaths

VT- Highest rate of infertility (also the least use of deodorant)

WA- Highest rate of bestiality

WV- Highest rate of heart attacks

WI- Highest rate of binge drinking

WY- Highest number of fatal car crashes

the opposite of this will be posted soon