I agree that withdrawing the gold from European banks is a worrisome sign, but it may be in anticipation of UN sanctions.
Having said that, Iran's president is a genuine kook. I used to think that Kim Jong Il was a nutcase, but now I am thinking he just wants to ride the tiger and stay in power as long as he can. Ultimately, he wants to survive.
This Iranian nutzo is a different can of worms. He really does believe the crap he is venting to the world. We are going to have to take him at his word and take him out.
(BTW my son is on his way to Dai Nihon in a week, for a second stint at teaching ESL, at Kanazawa. He was in a little yown called Ichinomiya last time, near Nagoya.)
I hope that Nihon is watching its 6, Kim Jong Il may be about to pull some nastiness if the USA is attacked by Iran.
I hope the gold withdrawl by Iran was in anticipation of possible UN sanctions, but those are still at least a couple of months off, if they come at all thanks to Russia and China.
Tex Mex Chili: I lb of hamburg ( use ground beef , chicken or pork), 6 ounces of semi sweet bakers chocolate, 3 ounces of chili peppers, 3 red peppers, 3 green peppers, 2x12 oz. cans of kidney beans, and 4 oz. of chili powder, 1 bulb of fresh garlic, and 1 large onion, olive or corn oil, one can of Sapporo beer, one small 8 oz. can of tomato paste.
Pour the cooking oil into the cooking vessel to cover bottom. Chop up all the vegetables to a size you prefer, I like em on the big side so they don't turn to mush. Crush the garlic and chop it fine.
Heat up the cooking pot until the oil begins to smoke and put in the meat with onions, garlic and chili peppers. Fry until the meat is about half cooked, stirring so as not to burn the garlic. Put in the chili powder and chopped up chocolate, stir until well combined. Pop the top on the Sapporo and pour it in ( oh the foam, love it!), add the tomato paste and stir. Bring to a simmer and add all the vegetables and beans. Let simmer on very low heat about 20 minutes to a half hour, stirring frequently so the bottom of the mixture does not burn. Salt to taste.
Serve the chili over rice and/or corn, and use another ice cold Sapporo to go with the meal. Warning: It's HOT.
The chili leftover gets better every time you heat it up.
(Writing this has made me hungry, off to dinner I go!)