By Natasha Julius
Don’t mind us if we nod off for a bit. Even in a dream state, we’re still watching the stories that count.
Market Update
Peace continued to face a consumer confidence crisis amid reports of a hostile takeover bid. Ultimately, key decision makers decided to merge Peace with Rhetoric to create a new entity, Lasting Peace. Shares in LP were promptly junked.
Condi-tional Surrender
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans to return to the Middle East to give her special brand of diplomacy another try. We suggest for this encore that she try a piece that better expresses the complexity and difficulty of the situation.
Idol Chatter
Meanwhile, President Bush reiterated his deep concern over the mounting crisis in the region. Indeed, he indicated that, should Secretary Rice’s diplomatic approach fail, he has already assembled a crack second negotiating team.
Cruising to Stand Still
Finally, the Hermit Kingdom this week continued its pattern of evasiveness, vowing to communicate directly only with long-time allies and sympathetic parties. And in other news, ditto.
Posted on July 28, 2006