The Iranians can't understand why everyone is getting bent out of shape about their threats to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. After all, it's nothing new:

"Our respected president has not said anything new or unprecedented about Israel to justify such a huge political tumult," wrote Hossein Shariatmadari, who was appointed to his post as editor of the Kayhan daily by Iran's Supreme Leader.

"Iran's nuclear case ... could be a reason for the recent clamour," he said.

Gee, ya think?

Actually, they're right. For years, it's been just fine with many in the west for Iran roust people out in the streets to chant "Death to America, Death to the Zionists, Death to the Great Satans," as long as they couldn't actually do anything about it.

[Update at 9 AM PDT]

The Iranian president has an innovative solution to stock market woes, too:

Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the latest cabinet meeting in the Iranian capital that “if we were permitted to hang two or three persons, the problems with the stock exchange would be solved for ever...”

Given that they are "political soul mates" (at least according to Juan Cole), it's surprising that Bush didn't select this guy for new Fed Chief.

I suspect that the reference was to Elizabeth the First...

AMC Entertainment Inc., the nation's second-largest theater chain, said Tuesday it will offer free tickets for teachers wanting to see the movie "Freedom Writers," starring Hilary Swank...

A species of shark rarely seen alive because its natural habitat is 600 meters (2,000 ft) or more under the sea was captured on film by staff at a Japanese marine park this week...