Morning Newsdome: UK and France join military forces as America crumbles November 02 2010

• [http://clatl.com/atlanta/ImageArchives?by=1942446|Wikimedia]
• French soldiers are stuck in their ways

>> The U.S. government has announced today to cut its stake in General Motors from 61 percent to 35 percent later this month, with a public offering of a quarter of its stock on November 18. So if you got a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, you too could have a minuscule stake in a fledgling company. (the Wall Street Journal)

>> Letter bombs exploded at the Swiss and Russian embassies in Athens today and police have found three more bombs, thought to be the work of Greek leftists. I’ll take this to mean that international terrorists hate America less now. (the New York Times)

>> The United Kingdom and France have signed a historic defense agreement today that will create a joint force, sharing aircraft carriers and cooperating on nuclear research. The French are reportedly excited for the agreement, though they predict Brits will be uncomfortable with mandatory speaking of French at first, and the British think the accord is great, just wish it didn’t have to be with “frog legs.” (the New York Times)

>> Seven months after the BP Gulf of Mexico oil well exploded, BP has returned profits in the third quarter, despite an additional $7.7 billion in delayed charged and ahead of analysts’ predictions. BP has said they are “well on track” for recovery. America loves a good comeback. (NPR)

>> And finally: Have you ever wondered why we vote on Tuesdays? NY Magazine talks to the executive director of Why Tuesday? who explains that in the horse-and-buggy era of 1845, Tuesday was the most convenient day. Obviously our world has changed a lot since then, but of course John McCain thinks the day shouldn’t be changed: He’s said that having voting on weekends will make people just go fishing. (NY Magazine)