Friday morning roundup

You've probably heard me balk at many a false assumption about the food system (that calories per dollar is a valid measure of anything but calories for dollar; that we need industrial agriculture to "feed the world"). One of the most pervasive myths--related to that last example--is that food insecurity is more about supply than distribution. Well, here comes an egregious counterexample from India: plenty of food, plenty of starvation.

Elie Wiesel's idea for stopping the carnage in Syria.

Nobody's saying that Turkey's a perfect democracy, but that doesn't mean that constructive relations aren't essential.

The Portuguese see no point in complaining.

Has the Church crossed a partisan line?

Why is it notable that the just-arrested Tokyo gas attack suspect was found with "no makeup"? This was in the blurb, and in the first paragraph of the article. I guess either Japan or the Times expects female terrorists to have their "face" on.

In other Japan news: fax machines thrive there.

Metro tips for interns and anyone else new to the city or system. Seriously, stand on the $%^&*-#$%^%^& left.