Interesting Links

• Hillary Clinton visits Laos in an effort to strengthen ties between Washington and Vientiane during her tour of Southeast Asia and her visit to ASEAN.  The visit is part of the US Government's larger effort to combat America's waning influence and China's interest in the region.  
• Speaking of ASEAN, economic growth looks like it will be much more robust than in many parts of the rest of the world, partially due to some countries, including Thailand, growing more independent from the slowing American and Chinese economies.  However,  the boarder dispute between The Philippines and China over portions of the South China Sea will not be resolved during this year's meeting, which holds promise for oil and natural gas exploration. 
• Adrian Peterson is arrested in a Houston nightclub. I am torn between my dislike of the Minnesota Vikings and my distrust of police.  
• Anonymous proves it can be just as authoritarian and hypocritical as the governments it does not like.  
• A single drop of venom from the Russell's Viper can congeal a wine glass of human blood, which is both horrifying an fascinating.