Commentary Oh, great- another addition to the energy crisis. One of the world's largest natural gas liquefaction plants suffered an explosion on Wednesday. The cause of the blast is not known, but the Freeport LNG plant on Quintana Island - about 70 miles south of Houston - will be out of service for at least three weeks, the Houston Chronicle reported.

For many, the problem of a rising China appears to be an issue for future generations. After all, despite the meteoric rise of the communist giant's economy, military and culture, the People's Republic lacks the basic ability to project power and maintain a force abroad thanks to its second-rate navy.