Evil pundit, that's because its a crappy vaio pcg-z505 laptop. As a proud previous owner, I can say that it looked good, until you actually have to work on it (cramped keyboard, non-existent battery life)... I'd let my dog pee on it too!
I think the article has an interesting point on the value of democracy on the stability of states:
he index does not provide any easy answers for those looking to shore up countries on the brink. Elections are almost universally regarded as helpful in reducing conflict. However, if they are rigged, conducted during active fighting, or attract a low turnout, they can be ineffective or even harmful to stability. Electoral democracy appears to have had only a modest impact on the stability of states such as Iraq, Rwanda, Kenya, Venezuela, Nigeria, and Indonesia. Ukraine ranks as highly vulnerable in large part because of last year’s disputed election.
I, for one, am glad that I live in sunny and warm SoCal (although a couple of weeks ago, I woke up to ice on my roof! That cold night was nothing compared to Versoix, Switzerland.)
he index does not provide any easy answers for those looking to shore up countries on the brink. Elections are almost universally regarded as helpful in reducing conflict. However, if they are rigged, conducted during active fighting, or attract a low turnout, they can be ineffective or even harmful to stability. Electoral democracy appears to have had only a modest impact on the stability of states such as Iraq, Rwanda, Kenya, Venezuela, Nigeria, and Indonesia. Ukraine ranks as highly vulnerable in large part because of last year’s disputed election.
I wonder what "fox hole religion" is.
UNC Gal, thanks for the info! I suppose he travels to various colleges ...