W calls Iran, Iraq and North Korea an "axis" which denotes connectivity to
me. This is puzzling.

I don't believe secular, communist N.K. has any connection with the 2 Irs.

Iraq is anti-religious, without any toleration of open disagreement.

Iran is religious, somewhat pluralist with some tolerance of opposing
points of view. (Yes, I know about the arrests of dissidents; they've
happened to friends of friends of mine; but there is much more variation
in open thought than in the other 2 countries.)

Iran and Iraq recently fought a war, and still see each other as enemies.

So what could the "axis" be?
I think W. is really a blockmodeller, and despite the lack of connectivity
among these 3 countries, he sees similarities:

They don't like the US
And they don't broadcast the Superbowl.

Hence, they are structurally equivalent!!

 Barry
 ___________________________________________________________________

  Barry Wellman        Professor of Sociology       NetLab Director
  [log in to unmask]   http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman

  Centre for Urban & Community Studies        University of Toronto
  455 Spadina Avenue   Toronto Canada M5S 2G8   fax:+1-416-978-7162
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