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I'm horrified to discover there is spying going on in our spy services... If you aren't paranoid, you aren't paying attention

Democracies the most eager to cast stones and bugs
It is a sunniest Saturday and that splendid Sydney Morning Herald carries a story based on the new book by former Air Force Secretary Thomas Reed, describing some of the audacious efforts President Reagan authorized to sabotage the economy of the Soviet Union: Reagan approved plan to sabotage Soviets. On the other hand, National Review Online yesterday posted Ion Mihai Pacepa's account of one set of KGB "active measures" to sabotage American foreign policy that is relevant to the current presidential campaign: Kerry's Soviet rhetoric.
· CIA [link first seen at KGB ]
· See Also Weapons inspectors' phones 'bugged'
· See Also Blix, Butler bugged: Russell Balding

Old Customs Die Hard
Barbara Walters of 60 Minutes (USA) did a story on gender roles in Kabul several years before the Afghan conflict. She noted that women customarily walked about 5 paces behind their husbands.
She returned to Kabul recently and observed that women still walk behind their husbands, but now seem to walk even further back and are now happy with the old custom.
Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked. "But why do you now seem happy with the old custom that you used to try and change?"
"Land mines," said the woman.

According to the Corriere della Sera, Silvio Berlusconi, the most entertaining European politician since mad king Ludwig..
· See Also Welcome to Europe! Have Fun! Drive Fast!
[link first seen at Geoff Goodfellow ]