Just got back from Italy.  Had a good time.  Paolo & Monica are great hosts and treated me far better than I deserve!  We had a lovely meal in Gorizia.  I don't think I ever saw the name of the place but it's wine and fish were both excellent.

We did get some work done and I think we're on to something interesting.  Expect more soon.

Congress approves US security body. The US Senate votes decisively in favour of creating a huge new Department of Homeland Security - long advocated by President Bush. [BBC News | WORLD]

» "The new department will merge 22 agencies with a combined budget of about $40bn to deal with the threat of international terrorism on American soil."

Of course merging them all together is bound to create one super-efficient, focused body acting in unison to defeat the threat of anti-American terrorism (it's Homeland security after all).

Sounds like $40bn well spent if you ask me.  Wouldn't want to go wasting that money on health care, feeding people or (god forbid) teaching them how many beans make five would you?

Tories push for UK security chief. A new cabinet post of head of homeland security should be created to provide a clear focus against terrorism in the UK¸ say the Tories. [BBC News | UK]

» Why is this necessary?  Why is terrorism not adequately represented by either the home office (MI5) or the department of defence (MI6)?  What does having one extra bureaucrat achieve?