Japan plans to replace shuttered nuclear power plants with coal burning.

In addition to the short-term pollution that will kill people, these will contribute greatly to global heating. Tokyo is very close to sea level; does Japan want it flooded?

Japan should invest in renewable power.

The Afghan "army" in Helmand is almost half nonexistent "soldiers".

Achieving this required corruption at every level of the army as well as the connivance of other officials.

Moreover, the lack of food for the real soldiers is probably not because the government has no money for it, but because officials and commanders have diverted that money. But then, most of the soldiers have joined the army only for the money.

The use of drugs by the soldiers reminds me of the US army in Vietnam. They had low morale, too.

The US can keep propping up the Afghan government as long as it wants to keep spending the money, but it can't defeat the Taliban that way.

Everyone: Call on Thailand to drop the charges against Andy Hall.

US citizens: object to using the defense authorization bill to attack conservation for the sage grouse.

US citizens: support the campaign for a minimum wage of $15 in Washington DC.