Clinton explained that the guide dog tricked Chen into a daring escape to the U.S. Embassy last week. Chen believed he was taking the dog outside to urinate, but the dog had other ideas. It was the dog who led high level negotiations with embassy officials to broker a deal for Chen to come to the United States.

“It was a protest about the way China treats canines,” Clinton told reporters. “We will not be taking further action on this matter.”

The dog was taken to a pound where he will share a cell with the canine who belonged to the iconic Tiananmen Square protester who stood up to government tanks.

Then it dawned on me: why don’t people break chairs over each other’s heads anymore? 

In the old days, when a barroom brawl broke out, before it was over, one of the combatants would pick up a chair and slam it atop the other guy’s head.

So, what happened?  From what I can tell, the kids aren’t even being taught fundamental chair slamming techniques, so if a barroom brawl broke out – well, good luck, is all I can say.

The world has gone to hell.

“I’ve been after him to lose weight for years,” Mrs. Marcal gloated. “When I saw him clutching his chest, I knew this was just the thing he needed to put an end to those bad habits. Some people have to be hit over the head, you know.”

Mr. Marcal was buried from St. Elizabeth’s Church following a funeral Saturday.