Jed:

When a Russian defected from the Soviet Union, flying a MIG-25 Foxbat (pretty much the best in the business at the time; had TTC and speed records, supposedly), and landed in Hokkaido, we didn't miss a beat in going over there and disassembling this intelligence trophy (while Bush the Elder was CIA head, FWIW) over the stern protests of the Russians. When the Russians got their plane back, it came back in pieces, having been thoroughly analysed by U.S. intelligence, with the indulgence of the Japanese authorities. The U.S. learned an awful lot from that plane.

Are things much different in the Spy vs. Spy world nowadays? Wh would you think they are? Is the difference here that the good ol' U.S. of A is, as Dylan would put it, "with God on our side"?

But right now, I'm somewhat comforted that I am travelling on a Norwegian passport in the PRC. Although if Dubya manages to pull a _real_ brain-fart here, that won't protect me much from any incoming falling on the Fobidden Ciy.

Time for some sense in this world, and to kick the troglodyte cold-warriors out of the buildings they have occupied (with the assistance of the SCOTUS) in Washington, D.C., where if things were as they _should_ be, the most interesting thing happening should be the cherry blossoms coming in bloom.

Cheers from the People's Republic of China,

-- Arne Langsetmo