Roundup: Joint Strike Fighter, boring French riots, Iceland's security

The Joint Strike Fighter deal hits home for me: My local representatives testified this week that they're concerned about the safety of a JSF with only one engine (the second engine was to be co-built by General Electric). I'm sure it has nothing to do with the GE aircraft engine factory in my city.

I've been thinking a lot about the implications of the JSF situation - how the UK might cancel its plane deal with the US and go for French planes instead. More to come on the issue, but for now...

The rioting by French students is becoming more intense, but it ain't like the old days. And that's what the press is making sure you know. You can almost see this New York Times reporter getting misty-eyed:

And the images of cheering students occupying the 17th-century Sorbonne, the birthplace of the 1968 revolt, last Friday night called forth memories of that exhilarating, romantic leftist youth movement 38 springs ago.

But the students' goal this time is far more modest.

Modest? How dare them! These whipper-snappers should be more idealistic. 1968 was so great, ignoring the Soviet tanks that crushed dissent in Hungary just two years earlier and all. Being romantic is what really matters.

Anyway, the rioters in France are thus far pretty boring. You have to torch some cars to get attention these days, you know.

Or, if you're in New York City, you just have to look like a "potential rioter." Then you'll get arrested for sure.

Meanwhile, U.S. troops - and their four planes - are pulling out of Iceland, and Reykjavic is upset. Apparently we've had a bilateral security agreement since 1951, wherein we get to hunt for Soviet subs (and Icelandic chicks) while Iceland feels protected. No more!