links for 2009-07-26

• Pete Brown's Beer Blog: Beer, Politics and World Peace
  "Why would Obama invite both men for 'a beer here in the White House' rather than simply invite them to get round a table and discuss it without stipulating what refreshments were on offer? We all know why. But I'll spell it out anyway. Because beer is the most sociable drink in the world. Because in every single culture where beer is drunk, to invite someone to share a beer with you is not just politeness; it symbolises an offer of friendship. It's a clear statement that when you meet, this will not be a formal negotiation or dressing down, but a more relaxed meeting of equals."
  (tags: BarackObama beer PeteBrown)
• Boris Johnson purge of bendy buses begins - Dave Hill's London Blog
  "Some people should be careful what they wish for". Dave Hill talks to a bus driver with just a tiny hint of sceptism about what will happen when route the newly non-bendy 507 bus come Monday morning.
  (tags: davehill bendybuses BorisJohnson london LondonBuses TransportForLondon buses mayoroflondon)