Because the Obama Administration hates Iran’s freedoms so much, it has rescinded permission for U.S. embassies to invite Iranian diplomats to their Fourth of July parties. Come on, parents, don’t take it out on the kids! Robert Gibbs said the change in policy came about “given the events of the past many days,” referring to Mark Sanford’s cumming. State Department spokesperson Ian Kelly, however, “said no Iranians have accepted” the invitations anyway and “indicated that the U.S. saw little reason for them to, given the political crisis over their disputed presidential election.” Again: maybe they would have accepted if you had promised a Super Soaker war. They’re just like water cannons! [AP]

In order to preserve the Constitution, Paultards this weekend considered the most Constitutional move available: seceding from the United States. It was Constitutional once, it will be Constitutional again. On Ron Paul War Room (the sleeker Ron Paul Forums), one hobbit explains the scenario as such: “I’m not saying we don’t continue to fight the bastards, but if their plan goes through, we need a place to go to fight them as one force.” Where will Paultardia form? MORE »

As the CNN tells us, one Iranian couple is going on a bike tour “for peace” around the world, where they plan to educate us ninnies on the glories of their very fertile country! The Iranian government had no problems, either, letting them embark on this delightful envoy mission. The bikers are in the United States now, and will stop in other wealthy countries where the government won’t kill them on the way… back. Do you see what I’m thinking? This is an ungodly brilliant couple: They simply told the Iranian government that they would go on a “bike ride for peace” around the world, and now they’re out of Iran. This is your window, disgruntled Iranians! Get some cheap bike, tell Ahmadinejad it’s for peace and what not and get your ass out of Iran.

Yesterday, in a spectacular day of horse-trading, the U.S. offered to open certain select industries to deeper competition from European companies in exchange for them getting the hell off our backs about online gambling. Under the rules of the WTO, since we allow some gambling, we aren’t supposed to lock other countries of the industry (like, say, by making online gambling illegal). Antigua and Barbuda sued us, Canada, Japan and the EU joined in and we lost because we’re pretty clearly not exactly doing it for “moral” reasons as much to limit competition for the U.S. gaming industry, which has some great lobbyists. In order to continue violating our commitments at the WTO to protect the casinos from competition for the cherished market of gamblers too lazy to normally get off their asses , the U.S. has agreed to limit the compliant trade protections it offers other, unrelated industries. See, no worries! Free trade might not be fair, but it’s also not really that free! [Financial Times]

Be careful, Sarkozy is here. It’s okay, though. He likes us, and promises not be rude like the others. Peter Brookes explains why Americans love and need French President Nicholas Sarkozy, and why we call our diminutive friend Sarko the American. Sarko! Sarko! All hail, Sarko!
A Friend In France - Finally [NY Post] MORE »