[eastbay]

At a dockside ceremony complete with brass bands, fluttering flags and sharp white uniforms, the prime minister promised to build at least six new patrol ships with ice-breaking hulls to extend his country's presence into the Arctic Ocean.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6287436.stm

This really cracked me up. The news is always good for a few chuckles in the morning.

As if six patrol ships and a brass band will slow down the USA or Russia if they decide to exert a little authority over what are obviously northern international waters. In fact, it won't even serve as a speed bump.

The whole matter kinda reminds me of the old movie, The Mouse That Roared.

[Tanada]

On the other hand if GW goes far enough commerce in the Arctic Ocean is bound to increase so both customs enforcement and search & rescue work will be there to keep these new ships busy.