(UNPLEASANTNESS IN THE NEWS: OK. We have a new competition. Apparently the Saudi

(UNPLEASANTNESS IN THE NEWS: OK. We have a new competition. Apparently the Saudis are now trying to be scarier than the Russians…. lolz. I mean, it was always the Russians (“make an example”) followed by the Israelis (“we will get the job done – with plausible deniability.”), followed by the chinese (“Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.”) But I mean, the Saudis are clearly gunning for pole position on the “OMFG” list of SCARY. (They cut him up with a bone saw while he was still alive? On a DESK in an OFFICE? In the CONSULATE???? OMG. Seriously???? ) Not that necessarily I disapprove mind you. Our American ‘way’ (“we will eventually find you”) is pretty tame by international standards, and of questionable value. So, you know, it’s just, …. well, always surprising to see a “new team” leap a head of the pack in the finals of “Horribleness”. Wow. … And I thought it was all ‘made up’ nonsense. Nope. Color me awed. Ouch. )