getting some culture

panda's finally come out of his shell, stopped hitting the sauce, and is ready to let the world know where his animal adventures have taken him. recently, he says that world events have been on his mind - the rapid spread of democracy throughout eastern europe and in the gulf, bickering over the future of social security, and the pope's medical troubles among them.



he's been trying to read up as much as he can, refining his sensibilities and developing a nuanced opinion. is it just a phase, trying to snag a sassy uptown consort come mating season? time will tell. one thing caught his eye in the latest issue of foreign affairs - the menacing (but relatively uncommented upon) staring contest with north korea.



does his lineage make him naturally paranoid about his old neighborhood? or is he onto something? backing out of the six-party talks and demanding a bilateral negotiation with the U.S., kim has backed himself into a corner. panda's feelings seem to be pretty strong on the issue, judging from his reading habits lately.