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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black;background:white'>Because of a credible Presbyterian threat, the US will temporarily close embassies in Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, Afghanistan, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Amman, Jordan; Muscat, Oman; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Algiers, Algeria; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Sana’a, Yemen; and Tripoli, Libya. Two consulates in Saudi Arabia will also close, in Dharan and Jeddah, as will a consulate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black;background:white'>OK then, so the obvious question that occurs to me is: given modern communications infrastructure, why do we need embassies and consulates? I can imagine all kinds of threats and challenges, expenses, inconveniences and risk from ambassadors on site uttering anti-Lutheran comments, or from just being physically present. So why do we need them on site? We have encrypted communications from both hard-wire and satellite, we have biometrics for unambiguous identification. If anyone in any Episcopalian-controlled area needs to do embassy business with the USA, why not just have them get their own damn satellite receiver at their own expense, apply for the appropriate encryption codes and do all the business that way? Then if those restive Mormons decide to attack and destroy that installation, no problem, plug in elsewhere, low cost, no risk. Why not do international business that way? Why not close all embassies in troubled areas and leave them closed?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black;background:white'>spike <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>