Sunday morning roundup

The relationship between democracy and violence in Jamaica, among other places and Mexico.
More here, with a focus on China, and mostly on the topic of authoritarianism and capitalism.

A different perspective on how legal immigration needs to work better. A "bureaucratic disinclination to take the time to examine applications by mom-and-pop operations" is not a valid aspect of the process.

Frank Rich on the politics of the Gulf tragedy. Ravi Howard on the blow to regional culture.

I'm not reading this entire article about the food industry's defense of salt, at least not yet (it's a nice morning; the fresh air beckons). My initial thoughts are: it's always disturbing to see how much influence the food industry has; and, moderation, people. Moderation and unprocessed food.

There's a lot to say about this article about one woman's brain injury and the Foreign Accent Syndrome that ensued; for example, the assholishness of Fox News commentators never ceases to amaze me. More to the point, though, it's interesting how having an accent changes how people see you, interact with you, interpret you--what a part of your identity it is.

Verlyn Klinkenborg on why e-books are just not the same.

The text of Heidi Montag's prayer. Also funny: Patricia Marx's column on shopping for your new graduate.