Scandal in the world of sumo wrestling! The sport’s ties to organized crime has hurt its reputation greatly.

Europe

France is facing a lot of criticism over its decision to deport the Roma.

North America

President Obama ends the war in Iraq, seven years after it began.

Here’s the video you’d much rather see, taken in NYC by touristy German film makers. Hat tip to Gawker.

THE BEAT OF NEW YORK from tim hahne on Vimeo.

Is it so hard to get some good service these days? An exploration of the American customer service straight jacket.

A race for the ages and worthy or your attention: The O’Malley-Ehrlich REMATCH! Let the punches start being thrown in Maryland!

We at USDemocrazy have been looking around our office and bedrooms in search of “Honor”.

Why? Because there is sizable chunk of Americans out there who think the nation has somehow lost its “Honor “. We just trying to help them locate it.

On Saturday, a large gathering of  similarly concerned Americans descended upon the National Mall in D.C. They were there on the behest of conservative radio and TV talk show personality Glenn Beck to partake in a “Restoring Honor” rally.

You might have heard of Glenn Beck because his strong stances on many issues tend to draw attention and controversy. In his D.C. speech he outlined how America could return to greatness by bringing its people closer to God, as explained by Mediaite:

…but he gave no room for dissent in the importance of America having spiritual guidance from a higher power and, possibly much more impacting than that, his insistence that organized religion specifically is the key to “restoring honor.”

While calling for such a movement in America to start, he did what he does best — divide observers and pundits. Some commentators thought his speech provided something good, others something pointless. Find out what interesting points some of the pundits are coming up with over at The Week.

Lastly, while you decide for yourself whether you think America needs its honor restored (it sounds like he’s implying that the U.S. is a teenage girl in the 1950s who has ridden in one too many car backseats with a… ahem… boy), hear what The Atlantic gathered in terms of real people who like Glenn Beck and his ideas for real reasons.

So — what do you think? Is America in store for a new wave of honor, truth, enlightenment, etc.?

Thanks to Wikicommons.

KABOOM! Volcano erupts in Indonesia forcing 11,000 to flee homes.

Still down but definitely not out. Obama pledges to support New Orleans recovery after Katrina until the job is done.

Buying friends at $1 MILLION a week! British Petroleum begins massive add campaign.

Is your idea of an adventure holiday include being kidnapped and targeted for extortion?

Well, we have the vacation hot spots for you!!!

Well, actually , the US State Dept. has the list. From time to time they assemble a TOP TEN LIST of worst places to go in the world.  Check it out here… and guess which country is number 1 on the List ( hint: Begins with an L and has a non ending).

You may have noticed (we hope) our new lay out. We look forward to hearing your comments on the site and our always (okay, almost always) informative daily blog posts.

We have big plans for the months ahead. We will be starting a series of regular features including staff rating of political campaign ads, reader polls on prminant issues and our weekly cartoons and caption contests.

Come visit us often and spread the word!

Thanks to Wikicommons.

We’ve all tried to join exclusive clubs (and if you’re like US Democrazy you’ve been kicked out of most of them).

Last week South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma stated his countries goal of joining one of the newest (and hippest) clubs on the global stage, BRIC.

Not to be confused with the construction material BRIC is creatively named for its members, Brazil, Russia, India, and China.  This group informally has friendly relations (and has pot luck dinners once a month).

Why is BRIC such a hip group?  Well for one thing it’s members are using tons of bricks to grow their economies at impressive rates, especially China which recently became the world’s second largest economy.

The question that’s being asked is South Africa economically strong enough to join?

Well the country did successfully run the 2010 World Cup drawing international attention to the progress that has been made since the fall of Apartheid in 1994.  This is a big achievement for any up and coming nation and one to be followed in 2014 by Brazil, already a member of the club.

However, numerically South Africa’s economy does not stand up.  The GDP of South Africa, $287.2 billion, is far below that of the smallest BRIC GDP, Russia, at $75.81.  Not only is the size of South Africa’s economy smaller than that of BRIC nations but its growth has been far slower.

Combine this with strikes bring parts of South Africa to a stand still and things don’t look good for the nations hopes.

Even though South Africa may not be ready to join the club they can still be friends.  China and South Africa have increasingly strengthened economic ties with China becoming South Africa’s largest trading partner.  Why the friendship?  Quite simply Africa wants economic growth and China wants raw resources so its a match made in economic heaven.

What’s this all mean for us back in the states.  Well for one thing, the US used to be South Africa’s largest trading partner so expect to see Chinese influence grow in Africa.

Secondly…, well we really don’t have a secondly.  So why don’t you, our readers pitch in, ideas for clubs that we should join.

30 people have died in a terrorist attack in Somalia. Al-Shabab (the same organization behind the recent bombings in Uganda) claims responsibility for the attack, in which gunmen entered a popular hotel and killed everyone there.

Asia

Think your morning commute is bad? Drivers in China have faced a 10 day long traffic jam. Yes, you read that right. 10 days.

North America

This Sunday will be the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the Gulf states in 2005. Though strides toward improvement are being made, recovery is still a long process.

South America

In Chile, 33 miners have defied the odds and are alive after 17 days of being trapped in a mine. Officials say it could take 3-4 MONTHS to rescue the miners.