Andrés Manuel López Obrador of the left-populist Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) raised the stakes in Mexico's electoral standoff July 26 by declaring himself "the president of Mexico." Cesar Nava, a spokesman for candidate Felipe Calderón of the ruling National Action Party (PAN) dismissed the claim as "messianic." (Seattle Times, July 27)

From Mexico's La Jornada, July 24, via Chiapas95, our translation:

The Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) and the narco-traffic in Chiapas "are factors that affect the national security," says an internal document of Superior Center of Naval Studies (CESNAV) of the Secretary of the Navy.

From Mexico's El Universal, July 24, via Chiapas95:

OAXACA, Mexico - Gunmen attacked a university radio station that has backed efforts to oust the Oaxaca state governor, as violence flared once more in protests that has driven many tourists from this colonial city.

Here we go again. Israel's envoy to Norway complains that a cartoon goes "beyond free speech." What the hell does that mean? Beyond good taste? Beyond acceptable discourse? Beyond what should be permitted in a free society? Where are these lines to be drawn and by whom? Why can't the offended (Muslim or Israeli) protest offending images without calling for their censorship, either explicitly or (worse, because it is more insidious) implicitly? Maybe this kind of sloppy and censorious speech is worse than hate speech? From BBC News July 26:

Shades of the USS Liberty affair. Ian Williams writes for his blog, Deadline Pundit July 26:

Accidentally on Purpose
With the Israeli bombing of a UN camp and the killing of four UN peacekeepers, we really do seem to be in a "deja vu" all over again phase. Already UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is under attack for condemning the "apparently deliberate targeting by Israeli Defense Forces of a UN Observer post."

Just remember, the private automobile stands for freedom, and if you're not with us you're with the terrorists. From Newsday, July 24:

Hummer driver pled guilty to loan-sharking charges

The Lloyd Harbor man who fell asleep and accidentally drove his Hummer into two teenage sisters, killing one, is awaiting sentencing on separate loan-sharking charges -- though that crime won't factor in the investigation into Sunday's accident, authorities said.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continued the second phase of its "Return to Sender" interior enforcement operation July 12-20 with raids through the state of Oklahoma and the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Illinois; Louisville, Kentucky; and Kansas City, Missouri. The same operation brought the arrest of 154 immigrants in a July 10-14 sweep through three Ohio cities. In the first phase of Return to Sender, 2,179 immigrants were arrested nationwide from May 26 to June 13. The operation targets immigrants who have final orders of deportation.

Another sacrifice for the American way of life. From the New York Post, July 20:

'3-TIME DWI' MOM KILLS PRIEST, 79

July 20, 2006 -- A beloved Long Island priest taking an evening walk was killed by a hit- run, serial drunken driver on a leafy East Hampton street, police said yesterday.