North Korea is less different from other tyrannical states than we normally suppose. It cannot block the people totally from information about the rest of the world.

Nonetheless, North Korea is unusual among tyrannies to some extent. Its two special characteristics are the continued state of war with South Korea, and the trade embargo imposed by most of the world as a result.

You could get turned down for a job based solely on how a program evaluates the sound of your voice.

The issue would not be very important if there were enough good jobs. The policies that spread poverty are the root of the problem.

US citizens: oppose the Vitter-Udall bill that would block states from regulating toxic chemicals.

US citizens: call on Congress to avoid an indirect endorsement of the occupation of Palestine.

500 million dollars worth of US weapons have gone missing in Yemen.

One comforting factor is that that probably is fewer weapons than you might expect, given the wacky military prices.