Opposition leaders in Iran are calling for protests on February 11, the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Meanwhile, President Ahmadinejad says his government will strike a harsh blow against "global arrogance" on that day.

The U.S. is taking a tougher line concerning Iran as this report indicates there are plans to send Patriot missile batteries to some Gulf states, and station more ships in the area.

It appears a tougher line is the order of the day all over, as the President has approved some additional arms for Taiwan, which makes the Butchers of Beijing very unhappy.

Many Haitians believe the U.S. should "take over" their country, since their own government is incapable of meeting their needs (of course, that is one of the big problems with Haiti, as so many of its people expect someone else to take care of them).

How much longer the U.S. can sustain itself as a global superpower is in question as we continue to spend far more than we take in, as in trillion dollar deficits.

Health care spending is one of the main reasons, according to Robert J. Samuelson, that we are getting into such a deep financial hole.

Of course, all of these political problems will pale in comparison when the Yellowstone super volcano blows up, which makes this story about a swarm of small earthquakes under the park so interesting and disturbing.