Australia is not quite as obstructionist in Lima negotiations as its public statements would suggest.

I find this very surprising. The extreme statements are not going to please many people in Australia besides the coal companies, and those will care more about results (preventing an effective climate agreement) than about statements.

Islamic terrorists killed 5000 people in November, mainly in Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and Somalia.

Note the absence of any Western country in that list. While Islamists are vicious and evil, they are not a significant danger to people in the West. It would be foolish for us to give up vital freedoms for fear of a danger that doesn't come near us.

Kerry asked Congress to approve "flexible" and perpetual war.

The bipartisan deal in Congress allows rich people to pay more to buy the support of major political parties.

The Hong Kong government is shutting down the democracy protest camps.

A few activists will remain to dare the state to arrest them.

People will try again later.