On July 22, the International Court of Justice delivered an advisory opinion holding that Kosovo's declaration of independence in February 2008 "did not violate any applicable rule of international law." While analysts have underscored that the opinion resonates far beyond Kosovo, it is also worth noting that that the ICJ's ruling unambiguously confirms that Russia's continuing occupation of Georgian territory is a flagrant violation of international law.

The legal question before the court was "narrow and specific" and did not deal with whether or not territorial secession is lawful. The UN General Assembly asked only whether or not the declaration of independence is in accordance with international law. It did not ask about the legal consequences of that declaration. It did not ask whether or not Kosovo had achieved statehood. It did not ask about the validity or legal effects of the recognition of Kosovo by those states that have recognized it as independent. The opinion thus leaves unanswered the validity of Kosovo's status as a state and its recognition by the international community. The ICJ knew that affirming Kosvo's independence would have created a chaotic precedent for "breakaway regions" around the world.

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As a young girl, I the events of my childhood created a perception of reality that became part of my primary belief system growing up. The reality is that you can't count on anyone really but yourself, and that if you are in a position of "needing" someone, you'll get hurt or disappointed in the end. This way of thinking has likely been a driver in my career, as I was relentless in my pursuit to become independent and okay "on my own."

My mantra was to always have a back up plan in case the first plan or person you are counting on falls through. In other areas of my life however, this has caused me to be closed in relationships and extremely afraid to commit or be in the position of needing someone. Whatever it was, whether it was a job, a friend or the budding of a potential relationship, my attitude was if it wasn't working. Or if I was being mistreated, I could easily get up and walk away. Tossing something out was my method of staying in control, albeit a false sense of control that was really rooted in fear and insecurity.

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If you want to get a feel for how difficult it's going to be for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to thread the needle he needs to thread in his "major speech on health care today," Jon Ward's piece on these pages from yesterday is a great place to start. Yes, Romney will, in all likelihood, make it clear that as President, his Day One task will be scuttling the Affordable Care Act, but the internecine opposition he's drawing on his own health care record is going to be difficult to surmount. When Grover Norquist is telling you that your singular legislative achievement is a "boat anchor" around your neck, and Karl Rove is opining that your based-in-Federalism argument is insufficient to the task of defending your actions as governor, your problems are legion.

Jon's piece came ahead of an absolutely brutal editorial in The Wall Street Journal, which will only make matters worse. The sting comes right in the sub-hed: "Mitt Romney's ObamaCare Problem." And it contains paragraphs like this one:

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It's not rocket science. Carbs plus fat equals comfort and joy, which is why we're so happy about National Grilled Cheese Day. Of course, the entire month of April is actually National Grilled Cheese Month, which is why people have been buzzing about the snack for a while now. Check out LAist for their gorgeous "Cheese Of The Week" slideshow and their write up of the Eva Restaurant/Grilled Cheese Truck grilled cheese pairing.

For hardcore fans, Tillamook cheese is sponsoring the annual Grilled Cheese Invitational on Saturday, April 23 at the Los Angeles Center Studios. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door. If you think you've got what it takes to challenge the pros, register to compete in one of four categories: "Love, American Style," "The Missionary Position," "The Kama Sutra," and "The Honey Pot."

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