THE HEADLINES

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, UK PM David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Photos by AP; AFP/Getty Images -- Graphic from UK Independent)

EUROPEAN “UNION” IN DISARRAY AS FRENCH PM TELLS BRITISH PM TO “SHUT UP” ABOUT EURO CURRENCY ADJUSTMENT.

(UK Independent)

As the EU approaches a summit agreement on financial arrangements to avert world economic recession, Nicholas Sarkovy tells David Cameron to stop meddling in efforts to regulate European currency in the euro, which he says that Cameron “hates.”

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WILL AF/PAK ENDGAME BE RESOLVED IN THE ESCALATION OF THE GAME CALLED THE NEW SILK ROAD?

(Asia Times)

This is the interpretation by Asia Times correspondent M.K. Bhadrakumar of a seemingly enigmatic shift in U.S.policy toward Pakistan. While continuing for public political consumption its stance that Pakistan must get tough on Pak-based insurgents “or else.” Secretary of State Clinton’s visit to Asia displays a tendency to “incentivize” Pakistan by giving it a larger role in the diplomatic solution of the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. This may be a revival of a U.S. interest in the “New Silk Road” project of expanding the Trans-Siberia railroad to carry trade goods from Asia to European sea ports.

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ALASKA HAS A UNIQUE PROBLEM FOR A U.S. STATE: IT IS FLUSH WITH REVENUE EXCESS BUT UNCERTAIN HOW TO SPEND ITS MONEY.

(Anchorage Daily News)

A $ billion surplus generated by royalties from oil and gas drilling sits in state coffers pending determination of how it is to be spent. Ironically, the state is reluctant to provide necessary funding for the TransCanada pipeline that would carry Alaska gas to the “lower 48″ states. Rather, lawmakers are disposed to use this surplus of state funds in developing “in state” distribution infrastructure to the direct benefit of Alaskan citizens.

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WILL JESUS GET KNOCKED OFF THE MOUNTAIN IN MONTANA?

(Salt Lake City Tribune)

The U.S. Forest Service in 1953 issued a permit to erect a status to “honor” World War II veterans on public parks land. Now, faced with numerous court rulings mandating separation of church and state, the Service revokes that permit. The Freedom From Religion Foundation supports the decision as appeals proceed, while the Knights of Columbus continues to advocate for the “memorial.”

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A VETERANS CHARITY IN FLORIDA DISTRIBUTES MORE MONEY TO CHARITY THAN IT REPORTS AS INCOME ON ITS TAX RETURN.

(St. Petersburg Times)

Allied Veterans, which seeks to open “internet cafes” that critics say are simply disguised gambling joints, are into a lucrative venture which in 2007 transferred $6 million dollars to associated charities, while it claimed an income of $3.5 million on its tax return. This is one discrepancy that is being cited by newspaper exposes and some state lawmakers attempting to slow the escalating growth of these highly profitable “cafes” which allegedly prey on the vulnerability of the poor and of seniors.

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Quote of the day…

With … Central Station, we have the emergence of the sustainable, walkable, transit-oriented development we’ve been talking about.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, announcing plans for $200 million downtown “mixed use” project which will connect with the SunRail project “set to be launched” in 2014.

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